Reckon I must be getting old

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#16 Post by **Kwackerz** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:48 pm

I am not growing old. Childhood is just extending itself by a decade or two.

Nooj · #17 Post by **Nooj** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:29 am

So... no riding for me in Suffolk or Wilts now then

Gio · #18 Post by **Gio** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:46 am

Or Surrey I think, 2 bikes were stopped on the A318 St Peter's Way (leads to junc 11 M25) for small plates yesterday, but to be fair they pullled 6 cars as well with number plates you couldn't see cos of the dirt on them (obviously used for speeding past Gatsos).

D-Rider · #19 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:25 am

As I've said before, I've always used a compliant plate ..... but you really do have to question this Police obsession over such a trivial regulation.

Having a small plate injures no one and brings no risk of injury, having a small plate deprives no one of things that are rightfully theirs - TBH I really can't see what it does do.

It is very difficult to understand why it can justify the use of valuable police resource when there are plenty of other crimes that have real impact that are not followed up properly.

Still, i guess if it gives them an easy stream of revenue it fits with the modern policing ethos of extorting what you can rather than addressing real crime (yes I know that's an over statement and not all coppers are like that)

Samray · #20 Post by **Samray** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:40 am

Probably more for the benefit of cameras than oomans?

HowardQ · #21 Post by **HowardQ** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:58 pm

Sorry Andy but you seem to have missed out on modern methods of crime detection, how else are they going to catch anybody for anything.
As well as the obvious cash generation facilities offered by many of the cameras, don't forget we also have automatic number plate recognition cameras, so they can find many of the stolen bikes and cars that are otherwise never seen again. The latter will get better once ACPO get approval for all bikes, (and probably bikers), to be chipped so they know exactly where we are and what speed we are doing 24/7.
So once they are able to track vehicles with the number plate recogition kit they just need to use the millions of CCTV cameras to make sure they get details of all the people in the car or on the bike, as long as the latter are not wearing those extremely dangerous dark or iidium visors.
So they can just sit back watching telly all day and still nick people.
It's all very simple really, it is all done for our own good so they can catch Villains in the cheapest most cost effective way.

D-Rider · #22 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:11 pm

I thought we were all supposed to be presumed innocent unless proven guilty?

If the argument is that we need to have these things so that we can be caught, then that fundamental presupposition is compromised.

If I'm presumed innocent, they don't need to detect me.

All part of this awful surveillance society.

#23 Post by **Kwackerz** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:34 pm

We've had the same size numberplates since...... time began really. Same size, same font, same spacing. The law hasnt changed nor the fact you can get pulled for it, but I personally would hazard a guess that people fitting illegal sized plates has become more of a problem since the CBR600 jellymould came about. Curvaceous bikes bringing the normal numberplates into the realms of 'sticking out a bit' and looking naff.

It's got nothing more to do with the Police meeting quotas than it has to do with people fitting illegal plates despite the knowledge that it is an illegal act.

If the Police did want to create revenue by pulling people then those they pull have only themselves to blame as it's been written in black and white/silver and then yellow and black for years..

Is an illegally sized plate an MOT fail. Yes. http://www.motuk.co.uk/mcmanual_630.htm

Therefore insurance is or could be invalidated as the vehicle does not meet one of the usual insurance criteria of being roadworthy...

There was a trucker on one of those Police programmes last night chimfing that he got done for 30 quid driving with his phone clamped to his ear.. changing gear and steering with one hand.. 38 ton Artic. He was right bent out of shape that he'd been given a fine. Why? You brought it on yourself, fella. Buy a handsfree kit. theyre about 15 quid... The copper was doing his job, regardless of quotas or whatever. They guy was doing something illegal (and dangerous in his case) and was done for it.

If people want the laws changed for something like a numberplate size change, put a business case up through your MP or through the Motorcycle Action Group or..... MCN...

I personally blame Honda.

Falcomille · #24 Post by **Falcomille** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:42 pm

Kwackerz wrote:There was a trucker on one of those Police programmes last night chimfing that he got done for 30 quid driving with his phone clamped to his ear.. changing gear and steering with one hand.. 38 ton Artic. He was right bent out of shape that he'd been given a fine. Why? You brought it on yourself, fella. Buy a handsfree kit. theyre about 15 quid... The copper was doing his job, regardless of quotas or whatever. They guy was doing something illegal (and dangerous in his case) and was done for it.

My friend is a very-long distance trucker and some of the things he tells me about what truckers do on continental roads... is frightening. How about cooking a meal on a gas hob, while doing 60Mph down an Italian Autostrada. Most read books or newspapers while driving, or watch video's. Makes answering your phone seem tame!