The below information of interest for all UK riders was received via the Ace London Cafe website
“Motorcyclists at the head of a group of riders will face stiffer penalties for speeding under a Crown court ruling. Being the lead rider in a group is an aggravating factor making you partly responsible for speeding offenses of those behind you according to the decision. The ruling can be applied in any future cases where two or more motorcyclists riding together are accused of speeding. The head rider might be only a few mph over the limit but could be given the same penalty as the worst offender behind.
Road traffic solicitor Robert Dobson said: “Any crown court decision can be ated in future cases. This is potentially a very dangerous judgement for motorcyclists. “Riders in a group change position frequently. “If you are riding at the front any group at excess speed, then the very fact you’re at the front is an aggravating factor.”
Ken Clark, 49, reached 85mph on his Yamaha R1 while leading a group of three riders on the 60mph A272 near Rogate, Sussex, last June. The speed is within the usual threshold for a fixed penalty of three points and a £60 fine. But Chichester Crown Court ruled he should receive the same penalty as a following rider accused of going 103mph.
Barrister notes on the ruling given to Clark after the hearing state: `Although his was the lesser speed, [the bench] found it an aggravating feature that he was the lead motorcyclist, was setting the pace and he knew that the other two motorcyclists would want to catch him up and would be speeding to do so.’
Sign the petition to overturn this ruling. http://petitions. number10. gov.uk/Lead- Biker-Fined/
What a stupid and unjust ruling! If they can’t catch you doing something, they just say you’re responsible anyway and punish accordingly. Total rubbish.
WHAT A CROCK OF S##T
WHAT NEXT?
Sure…… “they’re all in it together”
Ain’t Socialism wonderful……….
-nicker-
And it and other types of laws could happen here in the United States if people do not fight Bad Motorcycle Legislation.
Please pay attention and get involved.
Does this do away with personal responsiblity, in UK?
I’ve heard of people being found guilty of starting a riot. If this logic or line of reasoning pervails then we will see this in the U.S.A. I’ve been in groups were the leads starts pulling away and there is a rubberband effect, but it’s MY hand on the throttle.I have a chioce to make and it’s MY choice.
That being said if there are young or inexperinced riders in the group the leader or leaders should take that into consideration.
The biggest surprise to me is “how did California miss this one?” It has Golden State Logic all over it!
RE:
“….how did California miss this one?…”
Easy.
Gov. Schwartz-n-kennedy is too busy making a fool of himself at the global warming conf. to notice.
-nicker-