Thought I'd tell you about what the money-collecting gits of Perthshire police are up to. I was merrily trundling along a rural road on a nice sunny day, minding my own business and actually travelling at the speed limit (unusual for me!). I was kitted out in sensible old-git gear and clearly riding properly.
I rounded a corner to find a panda car parked up and a police man waving me in. He had no speed gun. He told me that because of the number of biker deaths in the area, they were stopping every biker "for a quick chat". He then looked over my bike and insisted on seeing the e4 road-legal stamp on my obviously original exhaust. Then it happened - he got a ruler out of his pocket and measured the letters on my plate (which is small but by no means a ****-take). "Ah - you're plate is below legal size - that's a £30 fine.". No discussion, no chance to be let off with a caution, despite everything else being absolutely OK, despite knowing that I had been riding a bike for 20 years continuously, despite knowing I had no points on my licence and despite knowing I haven't had an accident for 10 years.
I quizzed him some more and they had two cars parked in various places with 2 patrol men in each standing there all day doing nothing but stop bikes. They were not trying to catch speeders, they were not even looking at cars - just pipes and plates. How is having the right plate going to change my chances of being killed?
I think this is an utter disgrace and waste of police time. Yes my plate was illegal but I am now left complete disrespect for the police who are clearly doing it for money.
One question - can they stop people without reason? If not, can I appeal saying they had no reason to stop me (which they certainly did not).
