PSNI 'advanced driver' caught speeding at 104mph in his BMW on the M1 near Portadown, Craigavon court hears
A PSNI ‘trained advanced driver’ was clocked speeding at 104mph on the M1, Craigavon Magistrates Court hears.
Eoin Ward, aged 54, with an address as PSNI Brooklyn, Knock Road, Belfast, appeared before the court on Wednesday accused of speeding.
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Police were carrying out speed checks on the M1 at 10.25am on July 25 this year at Junction 12 near the Birches.
They detected a BMW travelling at 104mph. Ward was confirmed as the driver and owner of the vehicle. He was cautioned and made no reply.
A Prosecutor revealed he had no record. His lawyer said Ward had been driving for 30 years and through his work he has been an “advanced driver” for eight years.
"While it’s no excuse or justification, I would submit the skills required to be an advanced driver would distinguish him from other road users,” said the lawyer.
"As an advanced driver he is trained to drive at speeds well in excess of the speed limits and with this qualification comes the ability to be more safety aware, the ability to read the roads, read any hazards or situations in advance, the ability to drive under control, road confidence and it gives him the awareness to position his vehicle for better visibility for other road users,” he said.
He pointed out it was summer and the defendant felt “in total control of the vehicle at all times”. “Perhaps it was this complacency which allowed a momentary lapse on this occasion and one he very much regrets and apologises to the court today,” said the lawyer, adding he attended today to show his respect to the court and “how seriously he takes the matter”.
He said that his client drives for work. “I would ask you to accept, Your Worship, his circumstances, his qualifications and skills distinguish him from other road users and this could be considered an exceptional case and one where a disqualification wouldn’t be required.”
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “My mantra is at that speed you won’t be able to react and you are not trained to do it. You’re very different. You are trained.”
He said he would take "an exceptional course” in relation to the speed and applied five penalty points to Ward's licence plus fined him £250 and the £15 Offender Levy.