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 14/07/2008, 3:10 PM
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Clare Hayes - Web Editor
Joined on 21/04/2008
Posts 76
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Boy racers disqualified after racing
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I wish to comment on your report "Boy racers disqualified after racing".
We suffer greatly from teenagers speeding around our streets in souped-up cars with consequent danger to passer-by. I have myself witnessed one of these speedhogs coming off the road and it is a great source of danger and must be stopped. Such dangerous drivers should quite rightly be disqualified.
In this particular case the speeding took place at 11pm on the out-of-town Marchfields Way, the driver was a mature adult, and his car was being driven well within its limits, which puts it in a quite different category.
Marchfields Way is a completely isolated carriageway, with traffic going in one direction and no traffic in the opposite direction. It is bordered by wide pavements and grassy areas. It resembles a motor racing circuit and, in the absence of pedestrians, could quite safely be used as such. I have been there on foot during the daytime when I would estimate the speed of all traffic to be about sixty miles an hour.
The offence was committed, we hear, at 11pm, presumably in dry conditions and with good visibility. At this time there are no schoolchildren, no pedestrians, and only light traffic. There was a technical breach of the law in that the speed limit was broken, but under these conditions there was no danger. Sixty miles an hour on this stretch of road is quick but cannot be regarded as racing.
I think that there should be a penalty, a few points on the licence, for the technical error of breaking the speed limit, but I think the imposition of a driving ban for such a minor offence is quite excessive, and I think the gentleman concerned should appeal. What worries me is whether he is going to lose his livelihood. The little girl was in no danger, yet she may be without Christmas presents next Christmas. What has she done to deserve that?
Mike Rogers
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14/07/2008, 4:39 PM
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AllMouthNoTrousers
 
Joined on 21/02/2008
Weston
Posts 373
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Re: Boy racers disqualified after racing
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Quite honestly, I can't believe the post I have just read.
Are you really telling us that you feel this behaviour was "quite safe" and that the young passenger was in "no danger"? Condoning the use of a town road - albeit a wide, one-way one - as a race track is grossly irresponsible.
How do you know the conditions were dry? How do you know whether there were pedestrians out and about that night? The answer is that you don't.
These people were driving, at the very least, irresponsibly and potentially dangerous - and for you to describe any of these drivers as a "mature adult" is, quite frankly, the most laughable thing of all.
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22/07/2008, 6:00 PM
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The Green Knight
Joined on 23/02/2008
Weston-super-Mare
Posts 57
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Re: Boy racers disqualified after racing
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I must agree with the reply to the above message. Rules are there to prevent accidents and to protect the public and road users. As a driver I know this stretch of road and can quite understand how tempting it would be on a clear day with no one in sight to 'creep over the limit', but to suggest this road could be used as a race track, however illegal or theoretical, is utter lunacy and completely irresponsible. One of the prime responsibilties of becoming a licenced driver is the ability to resist the temptation to let loose and blast the throttle. These so called 'boy racers' many of whom are well past boyhood, need little encouragement to race.
The limit is there for a reason and must be respected at all time regardless of conditions. It is a law and not a suggestion or guide.
Age, gender or experience make no difference. No one is beyond or above the law.
Break it and , at best, you can expect a fine. At worst, you could become a killer.
The only place that could be legitimately suggested as a racetrack is...
A racetrack.
The Green Knight
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23/07/2008, 10:23 AM
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aza
Joined on 20/05/2008
WsM
Posts 75
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Re: Boy racers disqualified after racing
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Now if the person was a young male driving his car "Well within its limits" everyone would be saying well he deserved it, so this is one in the book for equality.
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23/07/2008, 1:39 PM
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Dynamite
Joined on 02/05/2007
Posts 65
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Re: Boy racers disqualified after racing
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i totally agreed with everyone in this string- except Mike Rogers, who seems to be saying there are laws, but if you think it is safe then it must be ok.
Laws are laws for a reason.
It wasnt that long ago someone was hit on that same stretch of road. And now he is scared for life.
At 11pm you cant GUARENTEE no one will be around.
I guess if a member of Mike Rogers family had ever been hit by a car, and he had seen the devestating affects for himself, his post might have been a little different.
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10/08/2008, 9:31 PM
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Maverick
Joined on 16/07/2006
WSM
Posts 23
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Re: Boy racers disqualified after racing
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Rogers reply is just what I would expect from someone with few brains, and no common sense. Any idiot who drives at 60mph in a 40 mph limit should be disqualified. it's not long ago that a young lad was knocked down by a Boy Racer Idiot and will spend years suffering because of a brain dead driver. Get a life Rogers, I just hope nobody hits any of your family at 60 mph,.
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The Weston Merc... » General » News » Boy racers disqualified after racing
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