At that point I looked in my mirrors and saw blue lights. I carried on for about a mile not thinking they were for me before the police car pulled alongside me and pointed for me to pull over. I wasn’t too happy and told the police officer I was late for a doctor’s appointment and asked if he didn’t have anything better to do. He didn’t say too much (I think he knew he was in the wrong) but advised he was reporting me for dangerous driving.
I couldn’t believe it and threw some f***’s into him and told him I would see him in court and that I would tear him to shreds in front of a judge. He just laughed and wandered back to his car. I want to defend it on the basis I was filtering and that is legal. Will I win?
Answer
As an aside, I understand the Government is looking for negotiators to assist with a trade deal with the USA. I wouldn’t suggest you put yourself forward as I don’t think your particular ‘style’ of communicating with people would help that situation (or any other for that matter). As for the offence itself, this is not a case of filtering past slow moving/stationary traffic, etc, this is undertaking at speeds of around 60mph to 70mph on a motorway. This is textbook ‘dangerous driving’.
Therefore, if the CPS can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your riding fell far below what would be expected of a competent and careful rider, where it would be obvious to a competent and careful rider that riding in this way would be dangerous, you will be found guilty. If convicted, it’s a minimum disqualification of 12 months and you could be locked up for a maximum of 24 months, although that is unlikely in this scenario. In addition, there will be a fine and court costs, etc., to pay. So, to conclude, no, I do not think you will win, you silly sausage.
Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast
More Bikes – April 2025
