Do police realise motorbikes are narrower than cars?

[jp14]

It's probably just me being sour but I was on the way to an exam the other day and got a £30 ticket for taking a right hand turn at 9.15 when you're not meant to until 9.30 because "it restricts traffic flow", however being on a motorbike restricting traffic flow wasn't really an issue.

The road veers sharply to the left and there's a right hand turn on the corner which has specific times you're not meant to turn down it, I pulled to the centre of my lane waiting for an opening, there was probably enough room for a 7.5 tonner to get past on my inside, if not at least a transit van. Someone flashed me to take the turn and then as soon as I took the turn the sirens were on me

Anyone think that's a bit rubbish of the copper?

[Chalky.]

Yes. Damn them for doing their job.

[DrDonnyBrago]

That you could fit isn't really the point, you still ignored the sign and the copper yanked you as you did it right in front of him.


I don't think the police should be wasting their time on such small transgressions but it was pretty dumb to do it knowing that they do.

[stinkwheel]

So you failed to obey a traffic sign in front of a copper?

Well. You pretty much handed it to them on a plate there.

Just because it doesn't make sense or shouldn't aply to you for some reason isn't really a valid excuse to ignore it. Or if you do and get caught, you can't really complain.

Like I think I'm prefectly safe doing 90mph on a quiet motorway but coppers would still do me for it if I got caught.

Next time overshoot, hang a U-turn and turn left into it.

The other point is that the police didn't put the sign there, the council/highways department did. The police are just enforcing it.

And no, the council almost certainly don't realise motorbikes are narrower than cars. In fact, I'd be unlikely to be proved wrong if I said that they don't consider motorcycles at all when designing road layouts.
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[MarkJ]

[G]

[tatters]

Theres a side road runing along a seaction of the A3 next to the kingston bypass which you cant use between 6:00-9:30 the traffic police offen wait down there in unmarked cars to cautch people using it to bypass the traffic on that road.

Last time they were down there l spotted them sitting in there black BMW before l turned on to the road divereted back on to the A3, unforunly a CBR600 following me did,nt see them or me waving him away and they went after him, last l saw of him was a copper screaming abuse at him for daring to go past there unmarked car.
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[clancy]

[yen_powell]

[Rogerborg]

Stop moaning, start researching.

Read the Road Traffic Act 1984. Verify that the sign matches the guidelines in the Traffic Signs Manual. Find and check the Traffic Management Order that authorised the sign - if there is one.

Even if everything is above board, if you genuinely don't think you did anything wrong, then don't admit to doing something wrong. Is it worth you taking half a day to turn up in court and see if the coppers and the CPS actually show up?
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[MinhDinh]

Erm I think you are being sour. If you have an exam then leave earlier. Heck I got to my interview 30 mins early and it took me 45 mins to get to the place.

As for the time, well again, I think we have to follow the rules on certain things, and I feel that you should have followed the time.

However I also do cheat the road system at times myself and would also feel bitter, even in the wrong.
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[JAMSXR]

Every one is entitled to a moan!!

People on here can be very sharp in these situations. The bloke has just got a £30 fine for 'breaking the law' and is probably a little annoyed, just because it's his own doing doesn't meant he can't get a little frustrated.

I remember a few years back I posted on here because I had been caught speeding and was pretty annoyed at the situation. Most of the replies I got were along the lines of, well you should have not been speeding, you broke the law etc.. I actually contested the accusation and was found not guilty despite it being my word against a policeman's!

Having said all that you only got what was coming, it really depends on the mood of the policeman that's pulled you.
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[stinkwheel]

[27cows]

If you break any minor law of the road and there's some jobsworth cop about, they'll have ya. You know the crime figures and public purse need all the assistance they can get - they won't pass up any opportunity.

Only way to stick it up them is to not break the law
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[tvr321]

Where has the law of common sense gone?

That is directed at the copper, not at the OP

[Skudd]

[G]

This is a quite blatant disregard for the law, so I can understand it.
If they started letting bikes through, next a car would claim "oh, well, there was nothing coming". Then a bike coming the proper way, not expecting a car would get hit and moan about the police.

However, more cheeky - someone else on here got done for going down a one way street - they just turned in to the street when they realised it was one way as one of the signs had been obscured or something. Got no more than a metre in and were leaving again - 3 points and a fine. Seems particularly harsh - presumably just trying to get numbers up - and certainly not the sort of thing to get them respected for their views on road safety.

[yen_powell]

[Adam80UK]

There are many small traffic indiscretions that cops aren't really bothered about, but when it's done infront of them in a marked police vehicle, it usually means you are either taking the piss, or not using your mirrors.
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Current: '07 Suzuki SV1000 & '07 Honda SH300i (again).
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[JP7]

Bad luck on getting a fine, but it's not the wisest idea to do it in front of a cop, as has been said. It puts him in a position where he has to do something about it because everyone knows he'll have seen it.

[Rogerborg]

Point of order - it's not a "fine". Coppers don't yet enjoy the authority to issue fines, thank Shatner. It's an offer to pay a penalty charge and admit guilt to avoid prosecution and the possibility of receiving a fine from a court.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[JP7]

Apologies for my unforgivable slip in semantics. I should have said Non-Endorsable Fixed Penalty Notice. But fine seemed easier to type.

[colin1]

Police have targets to meet. Sometimes they need to chase the quick wins to get their numbers up, even if they know its of no benefit to society.
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[JAMSXR]

[Clanger]