Mrs Average has an ally.

Simon Mason said:

Only a handful of people dislike me for bringing the topic
of the Highway Code to the Mail.

She's taking this rather personally, isn't she?

Quoted message said:

(I play golf, but don't know all the rules", Letters,
Mail, April 14)

Hmmm. Isn't there a big difference between playing golf
without knowing the rules, and driving a motor vehicle on
public roads without knowing the rules.

Quoted message said:

unless they constantly have it at their bedside like a
bible to read nightly.

Wouldn't she be a better christian if she referred to the
Highway Code, at least occasionally?

Quoted message said:

I work for a living and have more interesting things to do
in my life.

Love thy neighbour, and all that.

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

People might remember "Mrs Average" who has better things
to do like thinking of what to cook for tea than on her
speed (well, yes - she's

passed

Quoted message said:

into legend by now). No doubt peeved at the lack of
support (she only received anti responses) she popped up
the other day to yell ya boo sucks

to

Quoted message said:

"her critics".

Well, today she received one supporter, however, it turns
out to be the original woman who started this whole thing
off. The ex police special officer who complained of being
done for speeding in a 30 mph zone because she didn't know
the speed limit as there were no 30 mph signs (as there
doesn't need to be).

<article snipped>

I think it's fair to say that the "victim" (for want of a
better word) and the writer of the letter are both wrong.

Nevertheless, it seems to me that the lampposts rules seems
abit silly

Clearly, there should be no need for repeater signs in
clearly urban areas regardless of the provisions of street
lighting - so it seems to me to be silly to require them
where there is an absence of lighting

Additionally, on roads which do not appear obviously urban
but have street lighting, there is a bit of ambiguity. No
excuse for the motorist who should know the law, but we'd be
better off without that ambiguity.

Also, there is the point that you can have "restricted"
roads (i.e. those where repeaters are not required) and
"derestricted" roads where a 30mph limit applies. The
signing doesn't really differentiate between the two that
well, which is a problem for laws such as those governing
use of the horn on restricted roads.

And then there's the complication that it doesn't apply on A
or B roads in Scotland and so on.

It's a bit of a mess really. It would be better IMHO if we
had a "start of urban restrictions" sign, like most of the
continent does. I think it would be simpler, better
understood and more workable in villages.

But as I say, this doesn't excuse "Mrs Average".

"Nathaniel Porter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Nevertheless, it seems to me that the lampposts rules
seems abit silly

Clearly, there should be no need for repeater signs in
clearly urban areas regardless of the provisions of street
lighting - so it seems to me to be silly to require them
where there is an absence of lighting

Additionally, on roads which do not appear obviously urban
but have street lighting, there is a bit of ambiguity. No
excuse for the motorist who

should

Quoted message said:

know the law, but we'd be better off without that
ambiguity.

I can tell you there is nothing ambiguous about this
road. The usual excuse used is that it is a dual
carriageway, which has got nothing to do with it as there
are plenty of other 30 mph dual carriageways in the city
apart from this one.

All it is, is somebody has got fined for speeding and
instead of holding their hands up, admitting guilt, paying
the fine, vowing to be more careful in future, perhaps
(gasp) even buying an up to date HC and reading it instead
of watching East Enders one evening, which is what most
reasonable people would have done. She has taken it upon
herself to blame the system, roadsigns, the police and
anyone but herself and has only succeeded in looking a total
berk to anyone with their head screwed on.

I think the 'paper knew this as the headline is a bit of a
stitch up.

I HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN REREAD HIGHWAY CODE
--
Simon M.

Upon the miasma of midnight, a darkling spirit identified as Simon Mason
<[email hidden]> breathed:

[ quote from letter to paper ]

Quoted message said:

This I can handle because the majority of people like Julia
are backing me and people have both rang and congratulated
me face-to-face for having the guts to speak up for myself.

First ever real-world instance of "The lurkers support me
in email"?

:-)

--
- Pyromancer.
- inkubus-sukkubus.co.ukinkubus-sukkubus.co.ukOpen ↗ <-- Pagan Gothic Rock!
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Revival.

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Nathaniel Porter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Nevertheless, it seems to me that the lampposts rules
seems abit silly

Clearly, there should be no need for repeater signs in
clearly urban

areas

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

regardless of the provisions of street lighting - so it
seems to me to

be

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

silly to require them where there is an absence of
lighting

Additionally, on roads which do not appear obviously
urban but have

street

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

lighting, there is a bit of ambiguity. No excuse for the
motorist who

should

Quoted message said:

know the law, but we'd be better off without that
ambiguity.

I can tell you there is nothing ambiguous about this road.
The usual

excuse

Quoted message said:

used is that it is a dual carriageway, which has got
nothing to do with it as there are plenty of other 30 mph
dual carriageways in the city apart

from

Quoted message said:

this one.

Abolutely. But I think we could have a better system which
addresses the failings of the current one (which I don't
think has much to do with this case though) :-)

Quoted message said:

All it is, is somebody has got fined for speeding and
instead of holding their hands up, admitting guilt, paying
the fine, vowing to be more

careful

Quoted message said:

in future, perhaps (gasp) even buying an up to date HC
and reading it instead of watching East Enders one
evening, which is what most reasonable people would have
done. She has taken it upon herself to blame the system,
roadsigns, the police and anyone but herself and has only
succeeded in looking a total berk to anyone with their
head screwed on.

Absolutely.

<snip

On Mon, 24 May 2004 14:21:54 +0100 someone who may be "Simon Mason"
<[email hidden]> quoted this:-

Quoted message said:

With regard to other comments about not being on the road
if you do not know the Highway Code, maybe these people, if
tested, would find out after passing a test 16-years ago
they would not know a great deal unless they constantly
have it at their bedside like a bible to read nightly.

I work for a living and have more interesting things to do
in my life.

I suspect that somewhere in the Highway Code there is a note
about keeping oneself up-to-date with the Code. When one
accepts a driving licence then the conditions include
following the Code ISTR. If my recollection is true then she
is saying that she is not complying with the conditions of
the contract between herself and society.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number
F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK
government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

On Mon, 24 May 2004 14:21:54 +0100 someone who may be "Simon Mason"
<[email hidden]> quoted this:-

Quoted message said:

With regard to other comments about not being on the road
if you do not know the Highway Code, maybe these people, if
tested, would find out after passing a test 16-years ago
they would not know a great deal unless they constantly
have it at their bedside like a bible to read nightly.

I work for a living and have more interesting things to do
in my life.

I suspect that somewhere in the Highway Code there is a note
about keeping oneself up-to-date with the Code. When one
accepts a driving licence then the conditions include
following the Code ISTR. If my recollection is true then she
is saying that she is not complying with the conditions of
the contract between herself and society.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number
F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK
government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

Response:

I find it interesting to read that Ms Bateman (24 MAY 04)
has better things to do with her time than to familiarise
herself with the basic rules of the road before setting out
in her car. I wonder if she is also too busy to visit a pub,
do the lottery or watch East Enders like millions of others
can find the time for. As she watches TV might she wonder if
it may be a more useful pursuit to spend a while finding out
what other laws she is not aware of, even if only to prevent
any more future fines?

--

Simon M.

Response:

I find it interesting to read that Ms Bateman (24 MAY 04)
has better things to do with her time than to familiarise
herself with the basic rules of the road before setting out
in her car. I wonder if she is also too busy to visit a pub,
do the lottery or watch East Enders like millions of others
can find the time for. As she watches TV might she wonder if
it may be a more useful pursuit to spend a while finding out
what other laws she is not aware of, even if only to prevent
any more future fines?

--

Simon M.

On Mon, 24 May 2004 14:43:48 +0100, "Simonb"
<[email hidden]> wrote (more or less):

Quoted message said:

Simon Mason said:

Only a handful of people dislike me for bringing the
topic of the Highway Code to the Mail.

She's taking this rather personally, isn't she?

Quoted message said:

(I play golf, but don't know all the rules", Letters,
Mail, April 14)

Hmmm. Isn't there a big difference between playing golf
without knowing the rules, and driving a motor vehicle on
public roads without knowing the rules.

Mm, yes. Playing golf carelessly is not likely to kill or
seriously injure someone (yes it's possible it might, but
the chances are not high).

...
--
Cheers, Euan Gawnsoft: gawnsoft.co.srgawnsoft.co.srOpen ↗
Symbian/Epoc wiki: html.dnsalias.nethtml.dnsalias.netOpen ↗ Smalltalk
links (harvested from comp.lang.smalltalk)
html.dnsalias.netsmalltalkOpen ↗

On Mon, 24 May 2004 14:43:48 +0100, "Simonb"
<[email hidden]> wrote (more or less):

Quoted message said:

Simon Mason said:

Only a handful of people dislike me for bringing the
topic of the Highway Code to the Mail.

She's taking this rather personally, isn't she?

Quoted message said:

(I play golf, but don't know all the rules", Letters,
Mail, April 14)

Hmmm. Isn't there a big difference between playing golf
without knowing the rules, and driving a motor vehicle on
public roads without knowing the rules.

Mm, yes. Playing golf carelessly is not likely to kill or
seriously injure someone (yes it's possible it might, but
the chances are not high).

...
--
Cheers, Euan Gawnsoft: gawnsoft.co.srgawnsoft.co.srOpen ↗
Symbian/Epoc wiki: html.dnsalias.nethtml.dnsalias.netOpen ↗ Smalltalk
links (harvested from comp.lang.smalltalk)
html.dnsalias.netsmalltalkOpen ↗

"David Hansen" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message n

Quoted message said:

I suspect that somewhere in the Highway Code there is a
note about keeping oneself up-to-date with the Code. When
one accepts a driving licence then the conditions include
following the Code ISTR. If my recollection is true then
she is saying that she is not complying with the
conditions of the contract between herself and society.

In any case, all of the newer stuff about mobile phones and
ASLs and suchlike won't have been in the copy she used. How
can she possibly know the rules concerning these things if
she hasn't read a copy for 16 years?

--

Simon M.

"David Hansen" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message n

Quoted message said:

I suspect that somewhere in the Highway Code there is a
note about keeping oneself up-to-date with the Code. When
one accepts a driving licence then the conditions include
following the Code ISTR. If my recollection is true then
she is saying that she is not complying with the
conditions of the contract between herself and society.

In any case, all of the newer stuff about mobile phones and
ASLs and suchlike won't have been in the copy she used. How
can she possibly know the rules concerning these things if
she hasn't read a copy for 16 years?

--

Simon M.

Simon Mason said:

Response:

I find it interesting to read that Ms Bateman (24 MAY 04)
has better things to do with her time than to familiarise
herself with the basic rules of the road before setting
out in her car. I wonder if she is also too busy to visit
a pub, do the lottery or watch East Enders like millions
of others can find the time for. As she watches TV might
she wonder if it may be a more useful pursuit to spend a
while finding out what other laws she is not aware of,
even if only to prevent any more future fines?

I like it. Pithy.

Simon Mason said:

Response:

I find it interesting to read that Ms Bateman (24 MAY 04)
has better things to do with her time than to familiarise
herself with the basic rules of the road before setting
out in her car. I wonder if she is also too busy to visit
a pub, do the lottery or watch East Enders like millions
of others can find the time for. As she watches TV might
she wonder if it may be a more useful pursuit to spend a
while finding out what other laws she is not aware of,
even if only to prevent any more future fines?

I like it. Pithy.

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

This I can handle because the majority of people like
Julia are backing me and people have both rang and
congratulated me face-to-face for having the guts to speak
up for myself.

Pity that out of this vast "majority" only *one* bothered to
write in and defend you, unlike your many critics.
--
Simon M.

Upon the miasma of midnight, a darkling spirit identified as Helen
Deborah Vecht <[email hidden]> breathed:

Quoted message said:

Gawnsoft
<[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Mm, yes. Playing golf carelessly is not likely to kill or
seriously injure someone (yes it's possible it might, but
the chances are not high).

Quoted message said:

Ummm... isn't golf a cause of more head injuries than
cycling ;·/ ?

Golf Helmet Initiative Trust anyone?

--
- Pyromancer.
- inkubus-sukkubus.co.ukinkubus-sukkubus.co.ukOpen ↗ <-- Pagan Gothic Rock!
- littlematchgirl.co.uklittlematchgirl.co.ukOpen ↗ <-- Electronic Metal!
- revival.stormshadow.comrevival.stormshadow.comOpen ↗ <-- The Gothic
Revival.

Gawnsoft
<[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

On Mon, 24 May 2004 14:43:48 +0100, "Simonb"
<[email hidden]> wrote (more
or less):

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Simon Mason said:

Only a handful of people dislike me for bringing the
topic of the Highway Code to the Mail.

She's taking this rather personally, isn't she?

Quoted message said:

(I play golf, but don't know all the rules", Letters,
Mail, April 14)

Hmmm. Isn't there a big difference between playing golf
without knowing the rules, and driving a motor vehicle on
public roads without knowing the rules.

Quoted message said:

Mm, yes. Playing golf carelessly is not likely to kill or
seriously injure someone (yes it's possible it might, but
the chances are not high).

Quoted message said:

...

Ummm... isn't golf a cause of more head injuries than
cycling ;·/ ?

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden] Edgware.

On Mon, 24 May 2004 15:46:47 +0100, "Simon Mason"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
<[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

In any case, all of the newer stuff about mobile phones and
ASLs and suchlike won't have been in the copy she used. How
can she possibly know the rules concerning these things if
she hasn't read a copy for 16 years?

Quite. It's not as if you have to pay, after all.

highwaycode.gov.ukhighwaycode.gov.ukOpen ↗

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington University