New regulations set to come into force later this month will see motorists forced to cough up court costs - even if they're found not guilty or acquitted of motoring offences.

The government-inspired change to the current set-up - where drivers get costs refunded if they're innocent - is being implemented to save cash, in spite of fierce opposition from legal and motoring groups who were nominally 'consulted' before the new policy was drawn up.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the age old principle of 'the loser pays' has been costing the government too much money. As a result the new rules make it clear that in future drivers will have to foot the bill for clearing their name. According to The Taxpayers Alliance, that equates to 400,000 people, or one in four of those who challenge a ticket.

Now the Conservative party has joined the last ditch effort to derail the changes, and campaigners are looking for more signatories to a petition on the Number 10 website. We're off to go and sign the petition ourselves, and you can find out more by reading the press release below, that was issued by the Association of Motor Offence Lawyers today.

To sign the petition go here!     http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/CostsRecovery/

The name's just Fred.....


A US cop stops a Harley for traveling faster than the posted speed limit,
so he asks the biker his name.

'Fred,' he replies.

'Fred what?' the officer asks.

'Just Fred,' the man responds.

The officer is in a good mood and thinks he might just give the biker a
break and, write him out a warning instead of a ticket. The officer
then presses him for the last name.

The man tells him that he used to have a last name but lost it. The
officer thinks that he has a nut case on his hands but plays along with
it. 'Tell me, Fred, how did you lose your last name?'

The biker replies, 'It's a long story, so stay with me.' I was born Fred Dingaling.
I know -- a funny last name.
The kids used to tease me all the time, so I stayed to myself, studied hard and got good grades.

When I got older, I realized that I wanted to be a doctor. I went through college,
medical school, internship, residency, and finally got my degree, so I was
Fred Dingaling, MD.

After a while I got bored being a doctor, so I decided to go back to school.. Dentistry was my dream! Got all the
way through school, got my degree, so then I was Fred Dingaling, MD, DDS.

Got bored doing dentistry, so I started fooling around with my assistant and she
gave me VD, so now I was Fred Dingaling, MD, DDS, with VD.

Well, the ADA found out about the VD, so they took away my DDS.

Then I was Fred Dingaling, MD, with VD.

Then the AMA found out about the ADA taking away my MD because
of the VD, so they took away my MD leaving me as Fred Dingaling with
VD.

Then the VD took away my Dingaling, so now I am Just Fred.'


The officer walked away in tears, laughing.

A man boarded a plane with 6 kids.

After they got settled in their seats a woman sitting across the aisle from him leaned over to him and asked, "Are all of those kids yours?"

He replied, "No. I work for a condom company. These are customer complaints.

Maybe Gumtree

http://liverpool.gumtree.com/liverpool/vans-for-sale-liverpool_4758_1.html

they have other "branches" London, Glasgow etc all listed on the homepage

Hope you find something

I have just checked, my bros may have been about 2 years old at the time.

Not really an excuse though.

"I love you Nordic, most people would have deleted their first guess (kit car), but well done - extra point for being honest!"

Oh how funny, can just see my brother now kicking himself as he realises that he could have deleted the first post! Should have got
it first time. Was at the SAAB club when it previewed many years ago after all.

Film buffs will remember it as the commuter train in Fahrenheit 451

This may or may not be the film you are refering to.

Simon

So it is safe to let you travel to Deepest East Grinstead.

I will let the snipers know

Simon

Here in deepest Sussex we recomend the shotgun option to those who sneeze

Blocklades at the towns entry points are being manned as I type this.
Water is in short suppy food is plentyful but does have the odd shotgun pellet in it.

 

Hi,

If it is pre 66 then there is a special parking area, they will give you a free pass if you advise them when buying the entry tickets. However the stewards often wave any oldish looking car into this area (It is closer to the track). Try to arrive well before 9am as the traffic can build up especially Sunday. Lots of action throughtout the day, ends around 6-7pm. Food can be expensive in some places. The paddock requires shirt and tie for entry. A lot of people dress in period clothes for the event, mainly Friday.

Lots of good viewing areas but again get there early on Sunday, Friday is good for walking around. It is less crowded at the back of the track, there are free tractor/trailors laid on to take you around.

For B&B I would guess most local places are booked by now. Try Chichester or Arundel both large tourist towns and should have something. Maybe Lancing which is on the coast also. If not check on the Goodwood website.

Anything else send me a PM and I will try and help.

Simon

 I cannot recall in 31 years at Le Mans when the Safety car has not been deployed at sometime during the race. 

 However saying that it is only a fairly recent addition. Maybe at the same time as the introduction of the chicanes. Prior to that there was a "course car" which would circulate and drivers were expected to reduce their speeds when seeing yellow flags I cannot recall if they had to line up behind the car or not. It would only be used for the very serious incidents, then again it was pre carbon fibre and so track debris was less of a risk to tyres. Maybe also with less safety features the drivers were more aware of dangers and treated the marshalls flags with more respect. 

 Simon

Got back in about 1700 last night.

Uneventful drive back apart from the thunderstorms in Alencon and Kent. However nothing like the horrendus drive down on Wednesday.

All in all a good event, one point that has not been mentioned did anyone see any pikey's this year on the campsites? We were on Houx and saw none at all. Maybe the ACO have taken heed from last year. I did notice that there was people still manning the gates although they were not checking tickets.

Must have really long arms to press the shutter on that camera from inside the car.

Or maybe someone clings onto the roof.

This does look like the road from the 2nd roundabout around the back of the annex towards the tram station (where the Friday antics take place). The "main" single track back road between Houx annex and the track appears to be unaffected (I hope).

I think I will stick with the normal route in. If I get lost and some id**t in an Audi, Pug or Aston wants to pass they will just have to wait till I turn off!

Simon

Could be a problem for us as well as many other folks due to arrive Wed or Thurs PM

Google map of the area for general info:-

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=47.950184,0.213675&spn=0.025438,0.032487&z=15&msid=100786364882338398767.00046b466164d2d42de66

Simon