Tag: Obafemi Martins

Aston Martins?

Nigerian footballer :en:Obafemi Martins
Martins - not in a car, yesterday

So Obafemi Martins got nicked for speeding a while ago. The case went through court today and he was landed with a £950 fine (including costs) for doing 106mph in a 70mph zone.

Fair enough. The law does state that you can lose your license for going over 100mph. In this case he didn’t. The judge cited his otherwise unblemished license (now with 6 points) and guilty plea – no trying to wriggle out of it.

Now, of course, the road safety ******* are on their high horses demanding his scalp. He’s giving a bad example and proving there’s no deterrent. Apparently.

Hang on – 6 points and almost a grand in fines and costs? OK, to Martins that kind of money’s like what having to cough up three Mars Bars and a half-litre bottle of Coke. But the fact remains that if Joe Q Public get caught in the exact same situation he can expect the same treatment. And to you or I, £1000 isn’t something to take lightly.

Martins’ attitude around the case – admitting guilt and so on – was a good example. He’s taken his punishment and I’d honestly be surprised if he got caught again. He knows another 6 points will mean an automatic ban. In fairness I’m surprised they didn’t give him 9 points so that one more offense would tip him over. That’s my only criticism.

It still makes my blood boil when people go on about speed being a killer. If that’s the case, how come sections of Autobahn in Germany have no limit and yet their accident/fatality rate is lower than similar roads in the UK? Speed, I admit, is going to cause an increased likelihood of death should their be an accident. But poor driving is more likely to cause an actual incident than going fast.
There’s a difference between going “fast” and going “too fast”. I can’t state the situation for Martins. Had he been doing 106mph through a housing estate then I can see his license being ripped out of his hand. But on a straight, long dual-carriage bypass (which I believe the A696 is) then as long as he’s obviously in control, maintains lane discipline and doesn’t sit three inches from the car in front then he’s driving sensibly.
There are more serious things to worry about that someone driving too fast in a straight line.”Safety” campaigners, please just get a life.
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