ES wrote that he was exceeding the limit of 50mph by 4mph (8 per cent above). My neighbour received a fixed penalty for driving at 32mph in a 30 limit (6.67 per cent). Another neighbour received a Thames Valley Police fine by stopping in a disabled parking bay at 9 o'clock at night (not exactly rush hour) to collect a blind 80-year-old lady who, because she does not drive, does not see the reason to have a blue badge.

It is things like this that harms the public's attitude to the police. Most people I am sure, do not intend to speed but do not notice 100 per cent of the time that their speed has drifted up by a couple or so miles per hour. When they do see it they reduce the speed. Of course, they could keep their eyes glued to the speedo and crash into the car in front.