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How Soon Can I Drive After A Ban?

March 19th, 2010

If you have lost your driving licence you will have either reached the highest number of penalty points allowed or have committed an offence that was considered by the courts to have put the lives of others at risk.

The length of a driving ban depends on the severity of the offence and can range from one year to ten years. In severe cases, a judge will ban an offender from driving for life, with the safety of the public at mind.

When offences are less severe, offenders may be required to serve a Short Period Disqualification (SPD) which is less than fifty six days. The court will keep your driving licence for the duration of the period but it will not be revoked, you will not need to retake a test and you can start driving once the SPD has expired.

If you have served a full driving ban you can apply for your licence once it has expired which can be done by filling in the correct forms available online or at a post office. At this stage you will only receive a provisional driving licence so you can apply to re-take the theory, hazard perception and practical test.

Unless otherwise inculcated by a magistrate, the endorsements of a disqualification will remain on a licence for which you will need to appear and present your case to have them removed.

If someone has been disqualified they may apply for their licence earlier than the expiry of the disqualification. However, this depends on the individual circumstances of the driver and the length of the ban.

If a driver has undertaken driving improvement courses or other steps to ensure safer driving once qualified, they may be allowed by a court to only serve half their disqualification. The effect of the ban on an individual’s family life or career may also affect the court’s decision.

Driving bans exceeding 2 years may be overturned after half the proposed disqualification period, for example for a ban of 10 years you can apply after 5. If you re-offended, driving or otherwise, since your disqualification there is no hope of overturning a ban and if you drive whilst banned you may face a custodial sentence and a hefty fine.

If you are worried about totting up 12 points, then visit Nick Freeman’s site for advice on speeding.

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The Most Expensive Private Number Plates

March 17th, 2010

If you have ever decided to treat yourself to a privatised registration plate you will know that once you get beyond the incomprehensible variations on barely significant digits, things get pricey! But for some money simply isn’t a factor so just exactly how much are they willing to spend on a piece of plastic on the bumper of their supercars.

One of the best known expensive number plates is one that arrogantly pronounces itself and the importance of the owner behind the wheel, ‘VIP 1′ was originally commissioned for use on Pope John Paul II’s popemobile. It is now owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich who reportedly paid 285,000 for the privilege of being recognised as ‘the number one VIP’.

Liverpool born Mike McCoomb sold his mobile phone store to BT Cellnet in 2000 for 40m, this gave him the cash to splash out 330,000 on the number plate ‘M1′ which he apparently bought for his son’s sixth birthday. Not only will the poor lad not be able to drive for nine more years but he probably doesn’t even understand the significance of an expensive number plate.

Bradford entrepreneur Afzal Kahn broke McCoomb’s record by throwing 440,000 at his ‘F1′ which he suitably donned on his Mercedes SLR McLaren, a car half designed by the actual F1 McLaren team. Given the wealth surrounding Formula one racing, Kahn believes he was lucky to only pay that much as he believes it could have gone for much more.

The world record for the most expensive number plate ever sold was not in Britain but the rich Arab state of Abu Dhabi. Saeed Abdul Ghaffer Khouri, from one of the country’s richest families paid nearly 8m for a prized ‘1′ number plate. In the car culture of Abu Dhabi’s, single digit number plates are the most sought after and obviously number one is considered the best. Khouri has not made it clear which car he will be adorning with the number plate but it is certain that whatever he puts it on; the number plate will be worth many times more.

If you splash out on fancy cars and now need a speeding solicitorbecause you have been caught speedingwhy not check out Oliver and Co for the best solicitors of motoring law.

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The Criminal Attorney For The Defendant

March 15th, 2010

The Criminal Attorney For The Defendant protects our constitution. Many people do not understand this. They see him or her as someone trying to get a guilty person off; trying to help his or her client beat the rap. But the constitution says that everyone has the right to a lawyer.

In some governments the accused does not have the right to a lawyer. But in this land the right to a lawyer is the foundation of our freedom. Never should we take this right lightly. It is the duty of the attorney to assure that the rights of the accused are upheld.

The government brings the charge against the accused in a criminal proceeding. It is the government that has to adhere to the law. The government has to adhere to the rules of criminal procedure and to the rules of evidence before the accused and be found guilty.

A person also has the right to plead guilty to the charge. This is under his lawyer’s advice in almost every case. The lawyer will try to get a lessor charge his client can plead to. He is not there to lie about his client but he is there just the same seeking the best deal possible.

The practice is called plea bargaining. If the evidence against the accused is so overwhelming that he will be found guilty in a trial then he might be better off having his lawyer negotiate a deal with the prosecution.

The lawyer in this becomes negotiator on his client’s behalf. He can meet with the prosecutor and explain that his client messed up once and will not do the crime again. He will point out that that the client is willing to take classes or attend counseling to help change his ways.

The criminal lawyer has the duty to zealously represent his client. This is why he will discuss and try to get the best deal the prosecution is willing to agree to.

He wants to get the lowest sentence the prosecutor will agree to. It is the court that determines the sentence. But in most cases the judge will follow the advice of the prosecution as to what the sentence should be.

If the DUI lawyer cannot get a favorable deal then the case has to go to trial. In this instance the attorney goes to trial to make sure the government proves their case. He will not go in to misrepresent his client. He has to make sure the government does not also misrepresent their case.

The government has the burden of proof. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This means the defendant need only rebut the case of the government. He does not have to prove his innocence.

Many might think bad about the defense criminal attorney. But people who have never been on the wrong end of a criminal prosecution do not realize that when you are charged with a crime you are thankful that the constitution provides the right to legal representation.

A criminal lawyer gives legal advice when being charged with a crime. These lawyers can also assist in handling traffic tickets Ontario drinking and driving cases.

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Reducing Car Collisions

March 11th, 2010

Steering clear of auto catastrophes is basically a matter of remembering to execute the essentials. Following operating for any duration of moment without an crash almost all drivers start to count on behavioral instinct and the assurance that they are a very good drive. Unfortunately that may well not be the case at all, they may perhaps have just been fortuitous.

When backing out of a parking spot, it is essential to not just inspect to the left and right to see if a motor vehicle is moving toward, but to also inspect directly behind you and make certain the car or truck behind you doesn’t decide on that point in time to back out of his parking spot. You also have to be mindful of shoppers walking behind your vehicle, in particular kids that have raced ahead of their parents and might not be very easily seen over the back of your vehicle.

Whenever you are waiting for the red light to turn green learn to delay a second after the light turns before going into the intersection. Inevitably there will be a person coming from the left or right who tries to rush thru on the tail-end of the yellow light or worse thinks that if the motor vehicle in front has time to make it thru the yellow that it means they can. Usually the light turns just as they are coming into the intersection and if you are chomping at the bit to get moving as soon as you get the green, you could possibly very easily get yourself in a bad accident.

If you are at an intersection waiting to turn right, the instinct is to watch for traffic heading from the left and then to just begin your right turn without a final examine in that direction. Sadly, many incidents take place due to the fact a little something has altered to the right; like a person moving into the crosswalk or a automobile from the right performing a U-turn into your lane or even a motor vehicle pulling out of a parking lot just around the corner. If you turn without looking first there could be a sudden mishap and it could possibly be your fault.

Don’t be in such a rush to pull out into traffic that you hurry out as soon as an oncoming car or truck goes by without realizing for certain that it is not towing a low trailer behind it. The low tow can be hazardous if you are in a rush.

Whenever you are shifting lanes in traffic you need to ensure you really turn your head and glimpse back over your shoulder for a car that could be positioned in the blind spot of your rearview mirror. That has taken place too many times to count; that after a quick glance in the rearview mirror I would only do a physical head turn as I was essentially starting to move lanes. Mercifully, there’s never been an catastrophe, but it has been close a couple of times.

When you drive through residential neighborhoods where vehicles are parked on the roadwaydecelerate. Youngsters and house animals are not thinking about you when they chase their toy or each other into the road. With no forewarning at all they can break open from between parked cars into the street in front of you, if you are going too fast you are not going to be able to stop in time. Regrettably even going slow doesn’t confirm that there won’t be a traumatic events. So slow down and watch when driving a car thru neighborhoods.

Recently involved in a car accident in Baldwin Maryland? Talk with an experienced Baltimore Maryland car accident lawyer about your options.

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People May Spend A Lot On Traffic Tickets

March 5th, 2010

Traffic tickets can end up costing people a lot of money. Unpaid tickets will continue to cost a person money. The fine it’s self is bad enough, but when interest and penalties are added, a person may be looking at shelling out a small fortune. Anyone, would expect that once the ticket has been paid, the matter is closed but this is not the case.

Insurance rates can be greatly increased as a result of repeated tickets. Too many may actually cause insurance companies to cancel a policy. This is not to mention legal fees which will be incurred. People may in fact be arrested and jailed, and find themselves in need of a lawyer. This of course will mean even more money will be wasted.

People who want to avoid receiving speeding tickets, should start by doing their best to obey speed limits. This of course will also ensure the safety of anyone who’s on the road. When some people are in a hurry, they tend to speed. This does not always get people to their destination more quickly. This is a major cause of serious accidents, which may end someone’s life.

Directional signals are an important part of an automobile. Still, many people refuse to use them. Often these are the same people that are surprised when they are hit from behind by a driver who did not know they were turning. People should remember to use their signals, any time they turn. This will keep people safer and save them money from traffic tickets.

The reality is that we all make mistakes occasionally. Some people may not realize that they are driving too fast, or forget the directional signal while avoiding missing a turn. Others may decide to continue through a yellow light, only to have it turn red at the last moment. Every town has a spot, which is a notorious area for police to watch traffic. It is as though they sit just waiting to find someone doing something wrong so that they will have the opportunity to fine them. Frequently a police officer will claim that he is just looking out for a person’s safety. Although this may be true, it does not cause people to drive any differently.

When a person chooses to pay a traffic ticket rather than fighting it, they have admitted that they are guilty of the charge. This is an irreversible decision. Not only will they have to consult with a paralegal team and their insurance company, but this person chooses will have record of this admission. Even if the insurance company chooses to do business with this person, it will indeed be more expensive. The better choice is to always plead not guilty and fight the ticket. This will give individuals the opportunity to possibly not have to pay the fine.

Delaying the court appearance may also help a person to avoid being found guilty. Because everyone is busy, police do not have time to continue scheduling court appearances that are canceled. Instead, eventually, they may just not show up. This will cause most traffic cases to be dismissed.

Following the rules of the road is a great start to avoiding fines. People who take the time to fight traffic tickets may save themselves a great deal of stress and money.

Experienced Canadian professionals can offer superior legal support for your Peterborough traffic tickets at affordable prices. The dedicated Trenton paralegal team is committed to assisting you with any driving offences.

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Governing Laws That Apply To Texting And Driving Cases

March 1st, 2010

Texting while driving is something that the majority of younger folk do, as studies report. It’s also something that is incredibly dangerous and foolish- leading to many reported deaths each year as a result of automobile accidents.

Current laws in the United States vary based on each state. There is no current federal law that outlaws texting while driving, but the majority of all states are either limiting the act or banishing it completely. At least half of the current states such as Washington have put groundwork down in making it a crime to text while driving.

Some states have shown sympathy for those who text while driving. Missouri is an example of a state that has done so, as it only bans those under the age of 21 from texting and driving. Those over this age can do as they wish at their own discretion. This hasn’t gone over well with some that have been directly affected by texting and driving, but it is a step in the right direction to keep the Missouri roads safe.

There are studies that are coming out all the time in regards to texting and driving. Some scientists have even shown that it is quite related to the acted of driving under the influence, which as we know carries a large fine and jail sentence for those convicted. Because it is so serious, parents in the United States should observe good parenting practices by teaching their kids not to use their mobile phone while operating a car.

The same technology that allowed texting and driving could also remedy the problem. Mobile phones are now implementing software that can detect voice and translate it into words of text. This operation is far from perfect, however, so it is not widely used today. Other solutions are in development by mobile phone companies, who know that their products are being used to contribute to unsafe driving behaviors.

Taking while driving is another concern, although not as important as texting while driving. Talking while driving is a good solution if you absolutely need to talk to someone, but some states have even put legislation in to stop this. The only real solution is to have a passenger contact the person, to wait until you are done driving, or to pull over on the side of the road. That way there will be no chance of you endangering others with your talking habits.

Closing Comments

Auto accidents are fatal, and end up hurting thousands each year. It’s important that every person observes safe driving habits, or else they could put their lives in danger. Consult your state’s laws for more information on the legality of texting while driving your vehicle.

Learn more on Missouri legal settlements and New Study Indicates Many Trucking Companies Violate Federal Safety Laws.

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Drunk In Charge: The Facts

February 28th, 2010

Drink driving is not the only way alcohol and vehicles can get you prosecuted. There is also a criminal offence of being ‘drunk in charge’.

UK law states that it is an offence for a person to be in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place with excess alcohol in their breath, blood or urine, but the in-charge is a more complex area where people run into difficulty, as there is no legal definition for this.

As a rule of thumb you are said to be in charge if are the owner of the vehicle, are in possession of the vehicle or have driven the vehicle recently, but in cases of drunk in charge, each case is dependent on its related information and facts .On the whole, you are not classed as in charge of the vehicle if you are a at a distance from the vehicle or if you are a passenger and the driver has a full license and is under the legal drink drive limit.

For instance if you were supervising a friend who had a provisional licence while you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs then you would be said to be drunk in charge as it is likely you may have to take the wheel at some point. If you were near a car that was not yours and you did not have they keys for it then obviously you would not be drunk in charge as you aren’t in charge of the vehicle.

The maxing penalties for conviction of drunk driving are a fine of 2500, a 3 month prison sentence and/ or 10 penalty points on the license, and it is the job of the defendant and team to prove they were not intending to drive rather than the responsibility of the prosecutor to prove they were.

A wide range of evidence can prove this, including medical evidence to show how soon the defendant would come back within the legal limit, a hotel booking or a receipt for overnight parking.

Want to find out more about drunk in charge, then visit Oliver & Co’s site for advice on this and other traffic offences .

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An End To Distracted Drivers Texting? Department Of Transportation Bans Texting For Truck & Bus Drivers

February 25th, 2010

Truck and bus accidents often occur as a result of distracted drivers. One of the biggest culprits is the use of cell phones to text while the commercials drivers are on the road. The Department of Transportation is hoping their new law puts a dent in the number of distracted drivers on the road.

A couple of weeks ago, the Department of Transportation passed new rules that prohibits truck and bus drivers from texting while they are driving. Those who are caught breaking the law face criminal or civil fines of up to $2,750.

The Department of Transportation’s new law will attempt to decrease the use of technology, including cell phones and texting, that is becoming more frequent. Commercial drivers are on the road quite a bit and have dashboard mounted computers as well as cell phones that they use which can sometimes be a distraction if used while driving. The new law hopes to help this. However, it fails to address the use of the dashboard computers, which can also be distracting.

There was a recent Virginia Tech study that showed texting while driving increases the likelihood of an accident by a factor of more than 23 times. Truckers and bus drivers that are texting are required to take their eyes off the road for as long as five seconds at a time.

The law banning texting is a good first step in an effort to improve safety on the roads.

A driver that is distracted can lead to an increased chance of an accident. It’s a good sign that the government is taking steps to improve safety on the road, but accidents that do occur as a result of a distracted driver can lead to injury. If you have been in the unfortunate situation of being injured in a truck or bus accident, be sure to contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your issue.

Being involved in a truck or bus accident can be a stressful situation. It would be wise to to speak with NJ injury attorneys about your case. New Jersey injury lawyers can help you to you understand your rights and educate you about your situation.

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Police Use YouTube Videos as Evidence for Speeding Arrests

February 25th, 2010

The world’s largest video hosting site YouTube is beginning to play a larger role in the prosecution of dangerous drivers. An ongoing internet craze sees ‘boy racers’ bragging about the abilities of themselves and their cars, posting videos of races, speeding and dangerous driving.

Authorities have been using the videos in an attempt to prove that drivers were breaking the law but have faced difficulties as the footage does not always confirm all of the factors that would lead to a prosecution.

The offenders must be clearly identified with proof they were travelling at an exact speed, on an exact road, in an exact car, something that amateur crime-documentarians often fail to do. Expert motoring lawyers are often able to get offenders off the hook through loopholes due to the minimal evidence often available in these videos.

A Motorcyclist in Canberra, Australia was successfully convicted with the help of evidence in the form of a video he had posted online. The footage showed him driving at speeds of 125mph in a 30mph speed zone. Lawyers protested as the footage was not sufficient proof that the man had been speeding in Canberra or that it was even him on the bike.

A teenager from Burnley has been convicted of speeding due to a video he posted online in which he apparently reaches speeds in excess of 140mph on the M65. 18 year old Naythan Campbell used a mobile phone to record himself racing down the motorway using the hard shoulder to undertake other motorists.

The footage, filmed on his mobile phone did not provide enough evidence that Campbell was behind the wheel or that it was even his car but is been Jailed for four months with a 3 year driving ban as a deterrent to other young drivers as copycat cases are putting other road users at risk and encouraging a wave of motoring crime.

Want to find out more about motoring law, then visit Nick Freeman’s site on how to choose the best advice on dangerous driving for your needs.

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Welsh Flanker Arrested For Driving A Golf Buggy

February 25th, 2010

If only Welsh Rugby star Andy Powell was warned to calm down whilst celebrating his teams 31 – 24 victory over Scotland in the six nations championship – or it will all end in tears.

28-year-old Powell was arrested and later charged for drink driving a golf buggy down the hard shoulder on the M4 motorway between junctions 33 and 34.

The buggy was taken from the four-star Vale Hotel Golf and Spa Resort where the national team was staying before and after their clash with Scotland, mere hours after he was spotted trouserless in a vodka bar in Cardiff.

Authorities picked up the Welsh Flanker and his accomplice at a service station where they were arrested. Powell was later charged.

Mike Burton Mr Powell’s agent has told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Andy was disappointed and embarrassed to find himself in this position. He does not excuse or condone drink driving in any form and it was a misjudgment. He is sorry and he will face up to it.”

Powell is indeed dealing with the consequences of his actions after being dropped from Wales’ Six National Squad, he is also awaiting a trial at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on 2nd March – where he could lose his driving license.

Alan Phillips Wales’ team manager has not indicated when Powell can expect to return to the side, he has also been instructed to apologise to the members of the hotels staff. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) are said to be monitoring the situation.

A person is guilty of a drink driving offence if he drives or attempts to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place when the proportion of alcohol in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit.
(Road Traffic Act 1988 S5(1)

Looking to find a specialisttraffic offence solicitor, then visit www.oliverandco.co.uk to find the best advice on driving offences for you.

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