Drowsy U.K. drivers may be subject to handheld alertness test
posted Aug 22nd 2005 8:55AM
Looks like U.K. drivers can't catch a break lately. Not only are they being threatened by speed bumps humps
that can rise out of the road without warning, but now it
turns out that authorities are working on a device that will act as a sort of breathalyzer for drowsiness. The idea is
that, if you seem to be nodding off at the wheel, you'll be pulled over and asked to try out a handheld driving
simulator. Fail and you can be hit with a £2,500 ($4,490) fine for "driving without due care and consideration."
Critics point out that the system will fail because the mere experience of being pulled over by the cops will be enough
to rouse sleepy drivers. We see a bigger problem: some of the drivers most likely to be pulled over for being too
drowsy — overworked geeks or sleepless LAN-partying gamers — are likely to have such finely honed joystick skills that
they'll be able to pass the driving sim in their, er, sleep.
They also have speed cameras that automatically take a picture of your license plate and send you a ticket. All of the British fellows I used to work with just paid the tickets. For some reason, they didn't bother with me since I had an American driver's license..
http://www.wealthjunkie.com
#1 Alexander
Yup they come automagically in the mail. The reason we "just pay them" is because they have photographic eveidence of the offence, so if you don't pay, they will come and get you. You will also get 3 points on your licence for a speeding offence. Points last for 3 years. Once you have 12 points, you are banned from driving until some of them expire and you get below 12.
If you don't pay within 14 days, the fine doubles to £120. If you still refuse to pay, the cops will look up your licence plate (Registration Plate for us) on the photo, and come round to your house and take you away.
It sucks, but what can we do? You could try taking the issue to court, but trying to convince the court that the Speed Camera is faulty, and that you were not speeding is not going to be easy, and for most of us, it's not worth the bother. Just pay up, and remember not to do it again, else you risk loss of driving priviliges.
Of course, if you love gadgets, then get a speed camera warning device for your car, some of them are legal over here, and while they cost a pretty penny,, it's better (and often cheaper) than being unable to drive.