Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

It's mandatory for all phone usage to give 6 points. Has been for a while. Not sure if you'd be able to challenge it down to 3. I guess you'll have to see what the language is in the penalty notice when you get it.

Hard to disagree given the consequences of phone usage even if it's unfortunate that a stopped scooter is the victim over the dozens of people I see using their phone whilst driving every day.

As for what happens post getting the 6 points @Daw, if you're on a provisional car license, it'll be revoked. No idea what the length of time for reapplication is. The thing you'll probably get fucked on most is insurance as it's notifiable immediately upon receiving the penalty notice.

Tried to reason with the guy and he said would let me off the black number plate and the fact I was off to work (wasn't covered on insurance for commuting) but yes I think I mentioned checking the time (didn't unlock it only tapped it). I'll see what the notice says when it arrives. Feel stupid as I knew the police where there and I did it without even thinking. Makes so much sense when you stop to think don't use your phone while operating a motor vehicle.

Fully expecting to get shafted on insurance. More than I am currently (£1200 - a year which is way more than the bike cost).

As far as I can see on internet 12 points is max for CBT (full car licence) but if I go full bike licence I may have problems.

wasn't covered on insurance for commuting

This is insurance fraud. When reporting the points to insurance, they will ask where you were going. I would suggest thinking seriously about paying for the appropriate insurance moving forward or risk even more financial penalties.

Good point. I've changed it now (changed it on the day). Lessons learnt here.

Someone posted it for a different reason so I have nabbed their screenshot. The key mrloophole word is ‘use’. But you admitted you used it to check the time so might just need to ride this one through to the end.

1 Attachment

Thanks. Yes I probably said too much but I really didn’t want to get into stop and search situation. Just said sorry I understand the dangers and tried not to stare at a tiny spider crawling across his bald head. Fingers crossed with the penalty notice. Cool trials bike btw.

Are you hinting you were high as well?

There are ways to escape. I'm not an expert but I have a friend who, for speed camera offences, just pretends none of the letters arrive. Prosecuting him becomes impossible because of time limits. Might not work for you if you were given paperwork at the roadside? I don't know. Pls don't take this as advice.

Another way is to go to Court and hope the officer doesn't have time to show up.

Do you have a full car license? Held for a few years?

Err no. I didn’t want to get searched as I have a few times and it’s never felt like a nice thing.

Mentioned this at work and quite shocked a couple of people said they watch videos/podcasts while driving (on hands free) I’d say that’s way more dangerous but I am in the same boat and I got caught. Phone users while driving really make me mad and it only takes a second to fuck up. I’m going to treat it as a good reminder not to get my phone out while riding tbf

Yes. No previous convictions or points

Your points will go onto your license - you have a full car license, so welcome to the endorsement club.

Because you already have a full license the 6 point thing doesn’t count.

Michele Scarponi

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/michele-scarponi-death-investigation-closed-369040

Giacconi reportedly told police that the sun had blinded him and he never saw Scarponi. During the negligent vehicular homicide investigation, however, he was said to admit to investigators that he was watching a video on his smartphone.

Really don't know what to say about the people you work with. Have the issue that they deem this as ok. Can't remember the crime but think it is different to mobile phone.

As for you, you fucked up. You majorly fucked up by doing that in front of the police. Took it and accept the consequences.

Small fry by comparison, but I got zapped in a bus lane last week. Kennington Road heading up to the Imperial War Museum - at the Oval end motorbikes are allowed in the bus lane, but I forgot that this changes at around Kennington Cross. There was a truck turning right, so I undertook in the bus lane - my own fault.

Letter through the door yesterday, £130 ticket, reduced to £65 if paid in 14 days. Nice photo though...

Ask if they’ll send you a high res copy of the photo to get framed.

That's why I always had a lock and chain dangling on my plate. Rode how I wanted to. (Past tense because I reckon I'm an ex-biker.)

Was anything prior to the stop recorded by the police? If it was, it could prove the length of time you looked at the screen. You could ask for that. If you are adamant that's all you did then choose to go to court. The penalty won't be any worse and "as you never wear a watch" and " you didn't want to be late for your shift at the soup kitchen for the homeless" you may be able to prove your innocence.

Just to add to the confessional nature of it all I did speed awareness last week. Ironically if I was on the motorbike I would have gotten away with it as the photo was taken head on.

Could try to appeal.

On what grounds? I rode in the bus lane, my fault

Incorrect signage or road markings?

To play devil's advocate, the signs need to be at the start and a repeater at a set distance.

Or plead genuine error.

I'm a fuck the cunts and make them work for their money. As it is mainly revenue generation. Spent many years campaigning about bikes in bus lanes. The unwritten, but spoken and minuted in meetings with tfl and London borough representatives was that entering a bus lane and travelling less than 100m and less than a third of the lane would mean no fine. But then that was revoked for spite.

But I'm a pissy person.

How is that beautiful looking bike? Are you enjoying it?

I find the insurance thing stupid, what difference does it really make social and domestic or commuting. Yeah I get it if its for business purposes but the other things are daft!

But I don’t want to be that cunt who thinks the rules apply to everyone else. I made a mistake, no one else’s fault. It’s only 65 quid and no points.

Loving the bike though…

You are wiser than I.

Glad you are enjoying the bike.