Driver filmed with hands behind head

[Jimbuna]

This has been on the news most of today and I fail to see what all the fuss is about...the idiot should have been banned for life.

A motorist has been banned from driving after he was caught driving at 62mph with both hands behind his head.

Richard Newton, 36, from Whitby, was filmed driving for about 30 seconds with both hands off the steering wheel, Scarborough Magistrates' Court heard.

He was caught by a police safety camera van on the A171 between Whitby and Guisborough on 9 August.

Mr Newton had argued he was in control of the car but was found guilty of dangerous driving.

He was given a 12-month ban and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He was also fined £625 and told he must pay a £60 victim surcharge.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-25624978

[AVGWarhawk]

I would venture a guess he had his thighs in contact with the wheel keeping the vehicle on a straight path. Dangerous? Yes. Stupid? Yes. Penalty excessive? In my opinion I would say yes. What happens for driving under the influence? What is a victim charge of £60? Who is the victim?

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I would venture a guess he had his thighs in contact with the wheel keeping the vehicle on a straight path. Dangerous? Yes. Stupid? Yes. Penalty excessive? In my opinion I would say yes. What happens for driving under the influence? What is a victim charge of £60? Who is the victim?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ms-charge.html

[AVGWarhawk]

That is a interesting concept. Unfortunate most goes unpaid. Sadly, I believe if this was to be instituted in the states, the fund would be raided for anything but the victims.

[Jimbuna]

I'm not sure it would work well in any country because it would prove too costly to enforce.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I'm not sure it would work well in any country because it would prove too costly to enforce.

For ticket/fine enforcement here the Department of Motor Vehicles gets involved. When a citizen needs to register a vehicle(normally required every two years) or a license renewal the fine due will need to be paid before the Motor Vehicle folks issue anything. I suspect at tax time the local and state government could withhold any returns until the fine is paid. Wage garnishment as well. There are ways. With exception of the hardened criminal that operates without needed needing these items from the DMV.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

For ticket/fine enforcement here the Department of Motor Vehicles gets involved. When a citizen needs to register a vehicle(normally required every two years) or a license renewal the fine due will need to be paid before the Motor Vehicle folks issue anything. I suspect at tax time the local and state government could withhold any returns until the fine is paid. Wage garnishment as well. There are ways. With exception of the hardened criminal that operates without needed needing these items from the DMV.

Not aware of any such system here...the courts will usually grant an arrest warrant if the money owed is a sizeable enough sum but then the punter has to be found which adds greatly to the administration tab.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Not aware of any such system here...the courts will usually grant an arrest warrant if the money owed is a sizeable enough sum but then the punter has to be found which adds greatly to the administration tab.

There is the difference. The offender that has fines due find their way to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The apprehension is accomplished by the very own that has fines due! That is the beauty of it. I have seen folks denied a renewal of license or registering their vehicle for something as simple as overdue parking ticket. There is a line from a movie I often quote, "The Lord Giveth and the DMV taketh away." The title is "License to Drive". Heck, the DMV will deny a renewal if a vehicle does not have it's emissions checked. I think the Victim Compensation deal in the UK could utilize this system to good effect.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

There is the difference. The offender that has fines due find their way to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The apprehension is accomplished by the very own that has fines due! That is the beauty of it. I have seen folks denied a renewal of license or registering their vehicle for something as simple as overdue parking ticket. There is a line from a movie I often quote, "The Lord Giveth and the DMV taketh away." The titled is "License to Drive". Heck, the DMV will deny a renewal if a vehicle does not have it's emissions checked. I think the Victim Compensation deal in the UK could utilize this system to good effect.

You know...that could possibly work because the vehicle excise licence, MOT and insurance data was put on a national computerised system a few years agp.

So why hasn't anyone else given that idea some thought?

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

You know...that could possibly work because the vehicle excise licence, MOT and insurance data was put on a national computerised system a few years agp.

So why hasn't anyone else given that idea some thought?

It is possible they have. Perhaps those in charge believe it is not the duty of the MOT to handle collection of the Victim fines imposed?

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

It is possible they have. Perhaps those in charge believe it is not the duty of the MOT to handle collection of the Victim fines imposed?

A pity David Miliband is in the US atm or I'd ask him.

[Aktungbby]

California has court surcharges for all traffic violations as well. Failure to pay is handled simply; You cannot renew your license if a county abstract still reflects any unpaid fine. A portion of all fines collected in municipal court under the CA state DMV Vehicle Code goes automatically to the state and not to the municipality issuing the original infraction; or misdemeanor or felony if drunk or reckless driving...as with no hands on the helm! Ever solicitous, if a municipality fails to match its previous years' contribution to state coffers, the matter is closely looked into by the state.

[Wolferz]

I guess they've never seen a woman driver applying her makeup using the rear view mirror?

I saw a fellow driving while asleep in Ohio. His head was bobbing back and forth on the head rest! Eyes wide shut.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Wolferz

I guess they've never seen a woman driver applying her makeup using the rear view mirror?

I saw a fellow driving while asleep in Ohio. His head was bobbing back and forth on the head rest! Eyes wide shut.

Honestly been there and seen both of that as well as bonking whilst in charge of a moving vehicle....the lucky basum

[Herr-Berbunch]

I'm quite sure at some time we've all taken both hands off the wheel to do a momentary task (light a cigarette, open a can or a snickers, open a CD case (or cassette)), the difference here was the speed on that particular road, and the time!