For years it seems there was an unwritten code among law enforcement officers stating that you didn't give a shield-wearing brother a speeding ticket unless his offense was really bad. Beyond bad, even. That doesn't appear to be the case in the UK, as the chief constable of South Yorkshire has been cold busted going 90 in a 60 mph zone. Britain's Med Hughes stepped down after the court hearing, but he states that his decision to walk away from his post of top traffic cop had nothing to do with his lead foot. To that we give a hearty, "Right-o, chap." Of course as the chief constable, Mr. Hughes preached stringent speed enforcement. The now-defunct top traffic cop even lobbied for hidden speed cameras, which would keep speeds down while racking up big fine money for the department. If Mr. Hughes feels slighted or embarrassed, we'd like to welcome him to our club. As members, when we get tickets we pay the fine, collect the points, and generally suck it up. We're sure he'll find it all to be very novel.[Source: Top Gear]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
vkchu @ Nov 23rd 2007 2:22PM
what. a. tool.
Jetleaf @ Nov 26th 2007 1:14AM
I couldn't agree more. You know you are real dickhead if you get a speeding ticket from your police brethren.
Sam @ Nov 23rd 2007 2:41PM
C'mon! How many times a day does a cruiser pass you way over the speed limit without its lights on. My neighbor is a detective and races his classic mustang up and down the street.
Jim In Tampa @ Nov 23rd 2007 2:52PM
Don't know if this story is true but a long time ago, I heard about an off-duty cop that was pulled over for speeding in his personal car. When he showed the ticketing officer his badge, the officer responded "Well, you should have known better." and wrote out the ticket.
Chevy Nick @ Nov 23rd 2007 2:59PM
"As members, when we get tickets we pay the fine, collect the points, and generally suck it up."
I prefer to get a lawyer and make the offense 'disappear', much better for the insurance rates.
Bert @ Nov 23rd 2007 3:09PM
Here in Quebec, the transport minister recently announced a series of proposed changes to various traffic laws including a .05 to .08 BAC 24 license suspension, re-introduction of compulsory driving lessons, no cell phones without hands free, hard limit of 105 kph for semis (when the limit is 100!), photo radar and excessive speeding excessive fine laws.
Days later local journalists clock her limo driver at 37 kph (23 mph) over, passing on the right, all while the minister was asleep in the back. The limo drivers are plain clothed provincial police. This is not the first time a ministerial limo has been clocked at excessive speed.
Do as I say, not as I do.
Matt @ Nov 23rd 2007 3:37PM
Top Gear had BETTER be all over that.
tankd0g @ Nov 23rd 2007 4:03PM
I predict this will be the first news story on the next Top Gear, don't worry :)
vkchu @ Nov 26th 2007 1:42AM
and survey says... nope.
darn, i was hoping it would be the top news item as well.
Dana @ Nov 23rd 2007 4:05PM
He should post a complaint on this site:
http://copswritingcops.com/
Devs1980 @ Nov 23rd 2007 4:19PM
It isn't common to see police speeding here in Britain, in fact motorway patrols often drive slightly under 70mph so you go past at around 70 and be on your way as long as your sensible.
Not that I ever go over 70: my Peugeot diesel seems to have a terminal aversion to anything over 65mph!
aman @ Nov 23rd 2007 4:29PM
i dont think its really that bad, or newsworthy, another guy speeds, so what? happens thousands of times a day
Maestro1 @ Nov 23rd 2007 5:19PM
No, it is newsworthy because the guy that's speeding is the one who's was cracking down on other speeders and was introducing tougher anti-speeding legislation, and also a cop.
It may not be a big deal in the US as we see cops going over the speed limit all the time, but if you knew how anal the government in the UK is about speeding fines, and parking fines, and (hidden) traffic cameras and congestion charges etc etc etc then you'd definitely find it newsworthy.
Jorge @ Nov 23rd 2007 6:31PM
Quoting Nelson from the Simpsons: HA, HA!!!!
cowboy bob @ Nov 24th 2007 5:31AM
It doesn't matter where you are, cops get privlage everywhere. I have friends who are cops, and they constantly tell how they aren't "bound" by traffic laws. Indeed, when I have ridden with one of them in their personal car, speed limits just do not exist.