Straight to summons for minor offence?, A police offer said they will send me a summons as he was busy Options

[Adi777]

I was driving on an A road with 2 lanes on my side and 1 lane on the other side. I was the first car to approach an 'Abnormal Load' convoy on my side of the road. They were moving very slowly - around 10mph. There was no car at the back saying 'do not overtake'

I saw there was a double white line so was unsure about whether I could overtake. I decided that at that speed, and given the fact that I could see for a very large distance - no cars were coming on the other side (they had actually closed the other side of the road down), that I should move past the trucks.

When I did, there was a police car at the front of the convoy that stopped me and said that I was 'contravening double white line' - which carries a penalty of 3 points or I might get a speed awareness course. The officer said that they were too busy to do the FPN now, so they will send a summons to my house. I clarified with the police man, he said only 'contravening double white line', nothing like 'dangerous/careless driving' or anything like that.

I am a little flabbergasted that for something like this, where I dont feel I broke any law, and in a small overtake of a very slow moving vehicle - I could end up in court? Is the police officer right in saying he was too busy to issue an FPN ?

Please give me some advice - I have never been involved in any motoring offence etc before - I feel I am a very careful driver!

Thanks

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[samthecat]

I am a little flabbergasted that for something like this, where I dont feel I broke any law, and in a small overtake of a very slow moving vehicle - I could end up in court? Is the police officer right in saying he was too busy to issue an FPN ?

Please give me some advice - I have never been involved in any motoring offence etc before - I feel I am a very careful driver!

Thanks

For reference and so you understand what the issue is:
Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 26

It's likely that the officer will fill in a TOR (Traffic offence report) which then gets forwarded to a central office for processing, if that's the case they may well decide to send you an offer of a fixed penalty.

Unfortunately you will have to wait and see what comes through the post.

[notmeatloaf]

It is very very likely they will fill out a traffic offence report which will result in a fixed penalty, 3pts and £100.

Summons was probably a slip of the tongue.

The only exceptions for DWLs are stationary vehicles and horses, cyclists and road maintenance vehicles traveling at less than 10mph. Sounds like you were unlucky but they are enforced so worth sticking to the rules - or at least checking there isn't a police car in front when you overtake!

[StuartBu]

Polis at the front- should have had one at the back as well!!!

[squaredeal]

Solid white line contravention will fall under the offence criteria for eligibility for the What's driving us course.

[Lincolnshire Poa...]

Polis at the front- should have had one at the back as well!!!

Normal procedure for abnormal loads is one escort vehicle, on single carriageway roads this will be positioned at the front, on dual carriageways and motorways it will position to the rear of the abnormal load.

[StuartBu]

Polis at the front- should have had one at the back as well!!!

Normal procedure for abnormal loads is one escort vehicle, on single carriageway roads this will be positioned at the front, on dual carriageways and motorways it will position to the rear of the abnormal load.

Oh Yeah- mustn't forget the "normal procedures"

[baggins1234]

Polis at the front- should have had one at the back as well!!!

Normal procedure for abnormal loads is one escort vehicle, on single carriageway roads this will be positioned at the front, on dual carriageways and motorways it will position to the rear of the abnormal load.

Absolute rubbish