Offence codes... and Light Goods Vehicles question

[orys]

I just gained my first ever points on my license by speeding

I just enjoyed beautiful, empty A82 too much while heading back empty from Inverness yesterday, and the only other car on the road turned to be unmarked police car Bad luck

So I got 3 points and 60 quid to pay, but I am confused about the offence code.

I was expected it will be SP30, or SP10, as they consider sprinter as a light goods vehicle, and therefore I was 10 mph nastier than I thought, as I am supposed to drive max 50 on this road when driving an sprinter, which makes no sense for me, but dura lex, sed lex…

But in the field marked “ofence code” I have number 304001… What does it mean? Google says that it’s “traffic criminal case” offence code in US, but I guess this is not the case…

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Also, as I am already on that subject: how they distinguish between “car derived van” and “light goods vehicle”? I guess it was easy in 50’s, if your van had a front half from the Morris Minor, it was car derived, if not, it was light goods vehicle…

But nowadays?

We have Citroen Dispatch in our place, the same one you can see as a Taxi. So if there is a Taxi alternative, is it a car derived van? Or it’s rather Van derived Taxi?

Or Berlingo? You can buy them as the car, or as the van… So what’s it? Car derived van? Or the other way round?

Or VW Caddy? The previous one had a front half from VW Polo (or from Skoda Felicia, as I noticed Felicia Pick Up is sold in UK as VW Caddy). But the new one is build from scratch… So does it mean that I can go 60 with the old one and only 50 with the new one?

I think this law is a bit outdated and stupid. I’ve been driving Land and Range Rovers on the same road, and I find them much more dangerous on high speeds. I think modern vans are able to handle corners much better than lot of SUV’s. After all Sprinter fully deserves it’s name, while SUV fully deserves interpretation of this abbrevation as “Suddenly Upside-down Vehicle”…

(off course all that doesn’t change anything, as I was well over the limit in any case )

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To all that “holier than a Pope” brigade who are going to tell me how bad speeding is and that I almost killed a group of the nuns who could go that way to the monastery or something equally stupid:
I am aware about dangers of driving with higher speed, but can’t see nothing wrong with driving a bit faster on the almost completely empty road I know very well, with a good quality surface, perfect weather and almost brand new vehicle… And, at the bottom line, it’s not speed what kills, it’s sudden deceleration (or acceleration, if you are the hit pedestrian )

So before slagging me:
youtube.com/watch?v=oeg_kxLcCA8 watch that movei done by me in summer, when the traffic is much bigger due to the tourist, and at day, while my offence occured at night, and show me who I put at risk? There aren’t even any sheep there!

Even the coppers agreed with me and after friendly chat they apologized for spoiling my fun, but this is their job, and I told them I don’t blame them and I am glad that I gave them a chance to have fun by chasing me, they laughed. And as a farewell they told me “Slow down, even if there is no risk to anybody, it can still harm your wallet”

[saaamon]

Do you realise how serious speeding is…

[the_sarge]

Yes, if you are driving too fast, you can KILL some idiot standing in the road…
(sorry, but those adverts annoy me )

[44_tonne_ton]

I think it’s the gross vehicle weight that matters Orys. Over two tonnes and it’s a commercial and subject to lower speed limits. Why so fast on such a lovely road? Should have been going slower and taking in the scenery mate!

[the_sarge]

Sorry, I meant to add that too ^^^^^^^^

[orys]

Saaamon:
Do you realise how serious speeding is…

Oh, yeah. It can cost 60 quids in the times when some truckers go hungry, 60 quids is significant amount of money… It’s so irresponsible of me to waste it for the fines

44 Tonne Ton:
I think it’s the gross vehicle weight that matters Orys. Over two tonnes and it’s a commercial and subject to lower speed limits. Why so fast on such a lovely road? Should have been going slower and taking in the scenery mate!

Hm, so some bigger american SUV are commercial vehicles as well?

Why so fast? Well, simply, for the pleasure of driving. I am not speeding for my boss, I am not stupid, it’s no point if you are paid per hour, I just sometimes allow myself some joy when driving on the empty road…

The Sarge:
Yes, if you are driving too fast, you can KILL some idiot standing in the road…
(sorry, but those adverts annoy me )

I just love a piece from the old Polish movie:

- YouTube

The coppers assembled some dummy village and set a speed trap. Off course as you can see many cars were stopped.

Driver: I was going that way yesterday and there weren’t any houses around here yet
Cop: You say? And what if there would be an elderly lady crossing the road to the care home, which wasn’t here yesterday and it would be here today? So you would hit that elderly lady and kill her? And that could be your own mother!
Driver (confused): How can I hit my mother on the road, if she seats on the back seat?

Cop (on the radio): Halo! I can’t hear you… Repat: He said that his mother is in the back seat. “Mother is in the back seat”!!! This is what he said!

A boss in the office: Don’t panic. (on the side: some smart arse… He carries his mother with him, old lady, only to trick us into something…
The other guy: Well, this just proves that the live still puts a new challenges on us. And this is to be noted. Secondly, it proves also that we have to be prepared and have some alternatives. So my proposition is “And what if there would be suddenly a nursery school… In the future!”

Cop: Tries to memorise: And what if there would be a nursery school… In the future… And your little son would be crossing the road… Eeeeh… In the future…

Cop: to the next driver:
So what if there would be suddenly in the future a nursery school and your little son was crossing the road, and you don’t have a son yet, because this is the future, so you still always can have one!
(the driver turns out to be a catholic priest)

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Ok, so what’s with that offence code?

[chaversdad]

if it needs a tacho its a goods vehicle, if it doesnt its not, or is that too simple to be true?

[orys]

chaversdad:
if it needs a tacho its a goods vehicle, if it doesnt its not, or is that too simple to be true?

Everywhere in Europe, yes. But you, Britons, have allways to made up something to show you are different

[squiddy]

If your van was classed as 3.5t to 7.5t then the speed limit on a single carriage way is 50mph. I believe if you get done doing 10% plus 6mph you can opt for a speed awareness course. So if you were doing 61mph or less you could do the course.

I got done doing 72mph on a dual carriage way (60mph limit for unrestricted 7.5t) and got offered the course. (60mph +10% = 66mph +6 mph = 72mph). There was a nobber in a car who was happy doing 58mph until he realised he was about to get overtaken by a dirty ‘slow’ truck so he sped up … so I sped up etc ect and then BAM got caught by a road side meat wagon. Yeah Yeah I know I should have eased off and dropped back grrr

To be honest the course was so disruptive and mind meltingly patronising I would have taken the points looking back on it.

It’s daft that vans can only do 50mph on a single carriage way when some of these obscene 4x4 ■■■■■■■■■■■ weigh more than a transit van.

[rog]

Clarification of national speed limits for vans

[wheel_nut]

forums.pepipoo.com/lofiversion/i … 24460.html

This may give you some pointers or a way to fight them off

[orys]

Squiddy:
If your van was classed as 3.5t to 7.5t then the speed limit on a single carriage way is 50mph.

My van is classifed as “up to 3.5t”

It’s daft that vans can only do 50mph on a single carriage way when some of these obscene 4x4 [zb] weigh more than a transit van.

My point exactly. And they handle corners much worse than modern vans. Especially the american ones. I would be much safer in Sprinter than say in Chevrolet Blazer…

As for the Rog’s link:

“Q. Why should vans have lower speed limits than cars when they now have modern advanced braking systems like cars?
A. The main reason for these lower speed limits is that goods vehicles are designed to be able to carry heavier loads and when laden they will tend to take longer to slow down than a car travelling at the same speed.”

But when I am empty, my brakes are still designed to stop the heavy van, so I might be braking even better than a car. Therefore following that logic, empty sprinter should have the limit heightened, not lowered

Off course this is strictly academic discussion, as my speed was well over 10% limit even for a car So I am not considering fighting them off, my offence is obvious (although I don’t feel any guilt, as there was no risk to anyone).

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And any ideas about my offence code?

[44_tonne_ton]

orys:

Squiddy:
If your van was classed as 3.5t to 7.5t then the speed limit on a single carriage way is 50mph.

My van is classifed as “up to 3.5t”

It’s daft that vans can only do 50mph on a single carriage way when some of these obscene 4x4 [zb] weigh more than a transit van.

My point exactly. And they handle corners much worse than modern vans. Especially the american ones. I would be much safer in Sprinter than say in Chevrolet Blazer…

As for the Rog’s link:

“Q. Why should vans have lower speed limits than cars when they now have modern advanced braking systems like cars?
A. The main reason for these lower speed limits is that goods vehicles are designed to be able to carry heavier loads and when laden they will tend to take longer to slow down than a car travelling at the same speed.”

But when I am empty, my brakes are still designed to stop the heavy van, so I might be braking even better than a car. Therefore following that logic, empty sprinter should have the limit heightened, not lowered

Off course this is strictly academic discussion, as my speed was well over 10% limit even for a car So I am not considering fighting them off, my offence is obvious (although I don’t feel any guilt, as there was no risk to anyone).

But they wouldn’t know you were empty until they stop you! And you say there was no risk to anyone even though you were well over the limit, I respectfully suggest that implies you’re attitude towards other road users makes you a higher risk and leaves something to be desired! Behave yourself Orys!

No idea about the code!

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And any ideas about my offence code?

[spanishvan]

orys:

Squiddy:
If your van was classed as 3.5t to 7.5t then the speed limit on a single carriage way is 50mph.

My van is classifed as “up to 3.5t”

It’s daft that vans can only do 50mph on a single carriage way when some of these obscene 4x4 [zb] weigh more than a transit van.

My point exactly. And they handle corners much worse than modern vans. Especially the american ones. I would be much safer in Sprinter than say in Chevrolet Blazer…

As for the Rog’s link:

“Q. Why should vans have lower speed limits than cars when they now have modern advanced braking systems like cars?
A. The main reason for these lower speed limits is that goods vehicles are designed to be able to carry heavier loads and when laden they will tend to take longer to slow down than a car travelling at the same speed.”

But when I am empty, my brakes are still designed to stop the heavy van, so I might be braking even better than a car. Therefore following that logic, empty sprinter should have the limit heightened, not lowered

Off course this is strictly academic discussion, as my speed was well over 10% limit even for a car So I am not considering fighting them off, my offence is obvious (although I don’t feel any guilt, as there was no risk to anyone).

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And any ideas about my offence code?

your van is a commeral vehicle if you look in the highway code that you spose to travel at 40mph and by the way as from 2008 all vans have a speed limerter if you dont understand this take a retest but of course you dont speak english if you dont have a uk d/licence/uk passport stop speeding as next time youmay end up in the clink hahaha gal

[rog]

orys:
But when I am empty, my brakes are still designed to stop the heavy van, so I might be braking even better than a car. Therefore following that logic, empty sprinter should have the limit heightened, not lowered

By the same logic most sports cars have better brakes than family saloons so should the speed limits for sports cars be higher?

Some drivers are far better than others so should speed limits be governed by the competence of the driver?

We could keep going with this ‘logic’ but the authorities decided that it would be better to set the speed limits for the possible maximum total weight of a vehicle and for the dumbest drivers

[carryfast]

ROG:

orys:
But when I am empty, my brakes are still designed to stop the heavy van, so I might be braking even better than a car. Therefore following that logic, empty sprinter should have the limit heightened, not lowered

We could keep going with this ‘logic’ but the authorities decided that it would be better to set the speed limits for the possible maximum total weight of a vehicle and for the dumbest drivers

Does that mean that this outfit,0.30-0.45,is subject to goods vehicles over 2t speed limits ROG.

youtube.com/watch?v=NaXNGhxwbSE

[glen958]

When they mean car derived van they are talking about something like an Astravan, Corsavan or Fiesta van where as a Transit Connect is not based on a car so is a light commercial.

[orys]

44 Tonne Ton:
But they wouldn’t know you were empty until they stop you! And you say there was no risk to anyone even though you were well over the limit, I respectfully suggest that implies you’re attitude towards other road users makes you a higher risk and leaves something to be desired! Behave yourself Orys!

Your logic here is a bit flawed… i can’t have any attitude to other road users if they aren’t any around When they are around, I behave myself well, the best proof of that is that over 13 years of driving, including 10 years (less or more) driving for living these are my first points And you don’t need to shout

spanishvan:
your van is a commeral vehicle if you look in the highway code that you spose to travel at 40mph and by the way as from 2008 all vans have a speed limerter if you dont understand this take a retest but of course you dont speak english if you dont have a uk d/licence/uk passport stop speeding as next time youmay end up in the clink hahaha gal

Haha, it would be worth to check the laws before teaching anyone. Speed limit for my van is 50, not 40, so it’s not me who should take retest I think

Poza tym wydaje mi sie, że po angielsku mówię całkiem dobrze.

And last thing: I don’t have UK passport and UK driving license, but thanks to that I know the law, unlike you, the clink is no option for me. Even if I did not speak English - in that case in the worst circumnstances I will go with the cops to the Police station and wait there for the intepreter (but not in the cell) - remind you, I used to be police interpreter, I know the procedures

ROG:
By the same logic most sports cars have better brakes than family saloons so should the speed limits for sports cars be higher?

Haha, I did not mentioned this really seriously, so if we speak that way, I like that idea

Some drivers are far better than others so should speed limits be governed by the competence of the driver?

My uncle was a rally and racing champion of Poland several times in 70’s and 80’s. He rarely drives up to speed limit on the open road, yet he never had any accidents outside the racing track. BVut it costs him a lot of money - driving fast is expensive hobby.

I remember riding with him once, off course well too fast and after the corner was the police speed trap. The copper stopped us and asked “do you know how fast you can go here”? My uncle’s answer was “Well, I guess you want to know what was the speed limit. So the speed limit was seventy. But if you really asked how fast I can go over that bend, as you just saw, I can go 130 and that’s yet not the best of mine”

I don’t have to mention that he got the highest ticket possible?

So again, speaking not really seriously this would be a good idea .

In fact this actually happens in UK already: I spoke with British traffic cop once while waiting in court witness room and he said that after they have some advanced driving training, they are allowed to do not respect national speed limit. I would be happy to do such a course as well and have such privilleges

We could keep going with this ‘logic’ but the authorities decided that it would be better to set the speed limits for the possible maximum total weight of a vehicle and for the dumbest drivers

Back to the seriousness: yes. Sadly, speed limits are set for heavy vehicle on the wet dirty road driven by tired idiot. So if we speak seriously, I do understand that and I can live with it. It’s just only sometimes I allow myself a bit of fun, when it’s safe. And this time the only car on the road (following me from the back) was a police car

It’s worth to mention, that they had to drive even faster to catch me and still they did not harmed anyone

Carryfast:
Does that mean that this outfit,0.30-0.45,is subject to goods vehicles ove

This is not a motor vehicle So there are no speed limit for that one

glen958:
When they mean car derived van they are talking about something like an Astravan, Corsavan or Fiesta van where as a Transit Connect is not based on a car so is a light commercial.

On some links provided by someone in this thread, there was a discussion when someone proved, that Transit Connect it’s actually based on the focus, as it don’t need to look like one, it just have to share the same crash structure…

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So any idea about this offence code?

[rog]

So any idea about this offence code?

Got me totally baffled has that one Orys

I tried to work it out as a date but that did not seem to work even when I considered it as a date all mixed up like on the driving licence for the drivers DOB

[orys]

ROG:

So any idea about this offence code?

Got me totally baffled has that one Orys

I tried to work it out as a date but that did not seem to work even when I considered it as a date all mixed up like on the driving licence for the drivers DOB

Nothing even close to my DOB, only one number match