Star of Absolutely Fabulous and The Vicar of Dibley national treasure Dawn French (68) has been banned from driving for six months after exceeding a 30mph speed limit without causing any danger to other road users. She pleaded guilty to the offence.
The uncaring ruling machine that now governs motorists reportedly used its computer totting up procedure against the so-called “criminal” who already had nine penalty points on her licence.
With 20mph speed limits set to proliferate throughout UK as councils see the war against the motorist as a way to extract £millions in fines – all the while claiming “road safety” and “the climate emergency” as righteous justification – it’s becoming nigh on impossible to be a daily driver without picking up at least one speeding conviction a year.
The result is increased air pollution from increased journey times as professional drivers – paranoid that they’ll lose their jobs if caught speeding – concentrate on driving well below advertised speed limits.
French was caught by an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera on July 11th last year. Plymouth Magistrates’ Court fined her £600 and ordered her to pay a £240 victim surcharge alongside £90 in court costs. At this stage it’s not known whether the star, who needs her car to meet her acting commitments, will appeal the ban. In Devon & Cornwall up to a year’s delay can occur between filing and a magistrate’s court hearing an appeal. The ban is held in abeyance pending appeal result.
The nine points already on her license wilL have already amounted to a significant increase in her insurance premium. A condition of renewal is that convictions over the previous five years are declared. Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency’s data base information is shared with insurance underwriters, although a driver’s license record can only be seen going back four years – a further punishment inflicted by the State that the motor insurance industry profits by.
In his comments re Dawn French, Brian Gregory – Policy Director for The Alliance of British Drivers – said: “Another victim of the out-of-control, morally bankrupt, revenue-glutton that is the modern UK speed enforcement industry.”
ENDS
Author Richard Town is a former GLC councillor and metropolitan police driver. He writes here on behalf of The Alliance of British Drivers (ABD).
For all media enquiries, contact Paul Naylor on 07914 304 504 or email paul@mediaandyou.co.uk
Notes: Founded in 1992, the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) is the leading organisation promoting the interests and concerns of drivers in the United Kingdom.
The UK has over 37 million drivers – that is a majority; we should stop tolerating the way we are treated by the government and local councils.
Cars, vans and taxis account for 80% of the mileage of all trips in the UK, and over 65% of goods being carried by road. The road network, and the people who use it, are of vital importance to the nation’s economy. Drivers should expect the road network to be improved and maintained to a standard that is fit for purpose. They should be able to use the roads in a safe and responsible manner without being subject to unreasonable charges, restrictions or penalties.
