Top traffic policeman fined for speeding
A BOLTON MP has called for a senior traffic police officer to consider his future after he was caught driving at more than 100 mph on a motorway.
The head of Greater Manchester Police force's traffic unit, Assistant Chief Constable Steve Thomas, escaped a driving ban after he argued he was speeding "safely" when he was clocked doing 104 mph on the new M6 toll road. Today, David Crausby, MP for Bolton North-east, questioned whether Thomas could continue in his job. He said: "Clearly he has sent out the wrong message to the people who put lives at risk on our roads everyday by driving too fast.
"Speeding is not taken seriously enough and the very least we should expect is that our head of traffic obeys the rules that it is his job to enforce."
Thomas was was fined £450 and given six penalty points on his licence by North Staffordshire Magistrates sitting at Stoke.
Normally, anyone caught driving over 100 mph would expect a ban, except in exceptional circumstances.
The sentence will anger many motorists who have been caught by speed cameras across the country and road safety campaigners.
Thomas was stopped near Birmingham after passing a roadside speed trap driving at 34 mph above the limit.
He told magistrates: "On the day in question, the driving and road conditions were good and I was part of a group of around 15 cars all doing around the same speed. I considered that my manner of driving was safe.
"However, exceeding the speed limit by this amount is unacceptable and I sincerely regret my error of judgment."
It is understood that the police chief will now face internal disciplinary action.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Mr Thomas is responsible for traffic duties at Greater Manchester Police and that responsibility will remain."
A spokesman for anti-speeding campaigners Brake reacted angrily to the case. He said: "Someone in Mr Thomas' position, who has seen at first hand the consequences of speeding, should know better."
Hugh German, vice chairman of Bolton Advanced Motorists said: "It is a dreadful example to set other people. Anyone else caught driving at such a speed would probably have been banned."
Sgt Paul Kelly, spokesman for the Police Federation in Greater Manchester said: "It is not unusual for someone at that speed to escape a driving ban, but I hoped he has learnt his lesson."
What do you think? Send your views to Letters to the Editor, Bolton Evening News, Churchgate, Bolton, BL1 1DE or e-mail Drop a line...letters@boltoneveningnews.co.uk.
From,
http://www.thisisbolton.co.uk/lancashire/bolton/news/BENTOPNEWS0.html
So, You
CAN "Speed Safely", at, '34'mph 'OVER the LIMIT'!!
And it
CAN be, "An Error of Judgement"!!
How Strange!!
Also, 'HE' says,
>"On the day in question, the driving and road conditions were good and I was part of a group of around 15 cars all doing around the same speed. I considered that my manner of driving was safe.
Which sends out the message,
You should Always, Adjust your Speed to the "Driving/Road Conditions"!
(Common Knowlege!!)
Keep up with the 'other traffic'!?
(Even though they're breaking the law!!)
Consider your manner of driving to be, "Safe"!
(Even at 34mph 'over the limit!!)
I'm wondering how the other drivers in the "Group of around 15", fared in court! were they too spared a 'BAN'???
(Perhaps they were 'Witnesses' to say how 'good' the road/driving conditions were, and how 'Safe' it was to 'Speed'!!!)
Again, it's a case of 'One rule for THEM', and 'One rule for 'US'!!
I'm surprised he (Thomas) didn't attempt to claim that the 'Scamera' was operating illegally!!!
Or even that he was 'pursuing' the 'Speeders'!!
Hanbo.