Trailer brakeaway cable not attached... 3 points and £100 fine

[eggsarascal]

No part of the vehicle or chipper were "defective" so how can I get three points for having defective brakes???

 

I'm pretty sure the law says you have to have the break-away cable connected to the tow vehicle. The brakes wouldn't stop the trailer if you lost it,Therefore defective?

Edited November 18, 2014 by eggsarascal

[Daniel Jiggins]

I would of acted dumb (not hard anyway) and said it was on when I left and did my pre- vehicle inspection this morning someone must have tried to uncouple it at the lights.

 

One of my best clients is a lawyer and it always amazes me what people can wriggle out of.

[5 shires]

Got stopped by the old bill today, and to my amazement he said the brake away cable on my chipper was not attached. And sure enough, it wasn't! I am usually very strict and check the cable, the number plate matches the vehicle and the lights and working. Dunno how it happened, but anyway, I failed to clip the break away cable on!

 

He gave me a ticket, and said I will get three points and £100 fine! His exact wording on the ticket says "defective trailer brakes" which is not strictly true! The brakes were fine!

 

Is it worth going to court to argue the point, or do I just pay up and take thE points like a man?!

 

Please share your thoughts!!

 

Cheers,

 

Ed

 

Call in to the station and explain the ticket you have been given is incorrect statement REF: why the ticket was issued and your brakes etc not defective but your cable was not attached. You most likely still have to pay but at least for the correct fault. If it were me me I would definitely go and explain.

[Suffolk-Matt]

No part of the vehicle or chipper were "defective" so how can I get three points for having defective brakes???

 

What a c*ck.... Unlucky

 

but yes your brakes are "not very effective" without the cable... So IMO you dont have a leg to stand on

[Suffolk-Matt]

Also, i think all offences come into a category, maybe there isnt one for " no cable attached" and its been grouped under the above?

[Daniel Jiggins]

Call in to the station and explain the ticket you have been given is incorrect statement REF: why the ticket was issued and your brakes etc not defective but your cable was not attached. You most likely still have to pay but at least for the correct fault. If it were me me I would definitely go and explain.

 

 

You certainly have nothing to lose, If you can get some professional advice too before going.

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Harsh! How on earth did he see it wasn't connected? Was that the reason he pulled you over (if so, he must have had super vision to see it wasn't connected whilst you were moving) Or did he find it after he'd pulled you over??

[eggsarascal]

Traffic coppers don't miss much when they've pulled yer!........So I'm told.

[silky fox]

Green man at Hatton Cross next to Heathrow Airport mean anything to you Mr Eggs?

[skyhuck]

Write to the Chief Constable, explaining how sorry you are and that you had connected it before setting off and it must have some how come unconnected. Point out you will be making a point of double checking the connection in future.

 

I borrowed a mates car years ago, got a puncture, got out the spare and it was bold, I fitted it and headed to ATS, they were closed, I got pulled as I was heading away from ATS (by a copper on foot!!!) got a ticket for bold tyre, wrote to CC, got off.