Hamilton busted in France!

[mcoupe]

F1 star caught speeding in France

PARIS (AP) - Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton had his driver's license suspended for a month in France after he was caught speeding by police.

Hamilton was clocked going 196 kph (123 mph) in a Mercedes on the A26 highway near the northern town of Laon on Sunday night, police spokesman Arnaud Dujardin said Tuesday.
"He (Hamilton) recognized the infraction he had committed straight away," Dujardin said by telephone. "He was very courteous. The police officers then took him back to his hotel."

Hamilton's car was taken away by police and picked up by a friend of the British racing star on Monday. Dujardin said the police officers did not recognize Hamilton, who was alone in the car, until they looked at his identification papers.

"They did not know it was him. All they saw was a car going too fast," Dujardin said, adding that Hamilton is banned from driving on French roads for one month.

"He no longer has a permit on national territory," Dujardin said. "He cannot drive in France, although I don't know whether that applies to (England)."

The 22-year-old McLaren driver led the world championship standings for much of his rookie season but finished runner-up, one point behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton won four races.

[cy9]

Anybody else think this is a bit overzealous of the French legal system? Was anyone hurt? I don't see justice in the penalty.

[ms355]

Being banned for a month and a 600 Euro fine are pretty mild if you consider the speed limit of 130 kph.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by cy9

Was anyone hurt? I don't see justice in the penalty.

For going 123mph? You'd get the cuffs in many states here and likely receive a license suspension.

[ms355]

The penalty in Germany would be a 275 Euro fine and a 2 month ban.

[mikester]

This happens. I forget which F1 driver it was, maybe back 10 years ago or so, was busted for speeding on his way from a race that he DNF'd in back on his way to Monaco, and his street license suspended, for awhile. I don't think it affects his super-license, though I guess it could if the offense was really bad, at the discretion of the FIA.

[Crudson]

Years ago Ayrton Senna was pulled over for speeding in the UK and the officer said "Who do you think you are, Nigel Mansell?"

[LotusLust]

were that true it would be funny

[shay2nak]

not being able to drive for a month is pretty harsh.

[XPcarguy]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

For going 123mph? You'd get the cuffs in many states here and likely receive a license suspension.

Okay, so many states are draconian too.

I'd like to believe that that cops really believe the BS that 1xx mph is dangerous (in every situation) but it's hard. I'm fairly convinced that they are just enforcing the laws as their job requires but secretly understand that you cannot possibly determine a "max safe speed" b/c that value is dynamic and depends on the circumstances.

Anyone really think that Lewis was not:
* being smooth?
* reading the traffic (or lack thereof)?
* exceeding his abilities?

Notice there is no mention of any other "unsafe" driving behavior. Nothing along the lines of passing dangerously, driving erratically, tail gating, crossing a double yellow (or whatever they have over there), etc.

Let me ask a somewhat rhetorical question. If you were going to go driving anywhere, street, track, parking lot, practice learning stick shift, practice heel-toe, commuting, road tripping, anything...and you were given the opportunity to learn from Lewis or the cop that just ticketed him... who would you want to learn from? Who do you think could teach you to be a better (and therefore safer) driver?

PS: I know cops receive training. I know they know more than the average driver on the street. But they do not know as much or have as much skill as Lewis Hamilton.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by XPcarguy

Okay, so many states are draconian too.

I'd like to believe that that cops really believe the BS that 1xx mph is dangerous (in every situation) but it's hard. I'm fairly convinced that they are just enforcing the laws as their job requires but secretly understand that you cannot possibly determine a "max safe speed" b/c that value is dynamic and depends on the circumstances.

Anyone really think that Lewis was not:
* being smooth?
* reading the traffic (or lack thereof)?
* exceeding his abilities?

Notice there is no mention of any other "unsafe" driving behavior. Nothing along the lines of passing dangerously, driving erratically, tail gating, crossing a double yellow (or whatever they have over there), etc.

Let me ask a somewhat rhetorical question. If you were going to go driving anywhere, street, track, parking lot, practice learning stick shift, practice heel-toe, commuting, road tripping, anything...and you were given the opportunity to learn from Lewis or the cop that just ticketed him... who would you want to learn from? Who do you think could teach you to be a better (and therefore safer) driver?

PS: I know cops receive training. I know they know more than the average driver on the street. But they do not know as much or have as much skill as Lewis Hamilton.

Nice writeup but it comes down to one thing... IT'S AGAINST THE LAW. I could go and shoot a gun safely in many places but the law simply doesn't allow it. Heck, I lived right on the border with NY state and drove through NY state each day (I have a CT CnC permit) but the second I crossed that border I would have been committing a felony (if I carried my piece). Skill has nothing to do with it. A marksman or sniper has no right to shoot near random things no matter how capable they are with a gun.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by XPcarguy

Okay, so many states are draconian too.

According to your logic, you should be able to do anything you want so long as you're an "expert" at it? Also, a race track is a controlled environment consisting only of other professionals of comparable skill. A highway simply is not. A grandma is not looking for cars speeding up to her at 120+ when she changes lanes. It doesn't matter how skilled Hamilton is, if he's the most skilled person on the road it actually puts him in more danger. I would think most motorcycle accidents happen like this. A highly skilled rider flies up the highway and a grandma pulls in front of him and bam... goodnight.

[gingerdave]

That part of the A26 at night is a very quiet road.Before the police became very strict those speeds were quite common on French autoroutes .At night you could sit there at 130 -140 mph for 15 mins .Im afraid those days are long gone.Someone i know once drove 420 miles in France including getting round Paris in 4 hours.

[codymac]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

A grandma is not looking for cars speeding up to her at 120+ when she changes lanes.

She is if she's German.

[pla_time]

Seems to me that we should give him the same advice others get -- namely: "save it for the track"

Of course, nearly everybody was amused about Michael Schumacher's taxi driving. Different localities mean different standards.

[Crudson]

Originally Posted by LotusLust

were that true it would be funny

Heh heh yes I am sure.

[Dmbrown34]

Whats worse,

Hitting someone at a red light, or speeding?

Hamiltons on a roll!

[mpsalm]

Points on his French license for a 123 mph speeding ticket are probably still way cheaper than what he now pays for points earned on his Superlicense.

[macdady2424]

Looks like the Hamiltons are on a role. Not to long ago, his father crashed a prosche GT through a chicken hen or barn or something. Where did these people learn to drive?

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by XPcarguy

Okay, so many states are draconian too.

I'd like to believe that that cops really believe the BS that 1xx mph is dangerous (in every situation) but it's hard. I'm fairly convinced that they are just enforcing the laws as their job requires but secretly understand that you cannot possibly determine a "max safe speed" b/c that value is dynamic and depends on the circumstances.

Anyone really think that Lewis was not:
* being smooth?
* reading the traffic (or lack thereof)?
* exceeding his abilities?

Notice there is no mention of any other "unsafe" driving behavior. Nothing along the lines of passing dangerously, driving erratically, tail gating, crossing a double yellow (or whatever they have over there), etc.

Let me ask a somewhat rhetorical question. If you were going to go driving anywhere, street, track, parking lot, practice learning stick shift, practice heel-toe, commuting, road tripping, anything...and you were given the opportunity to learn from Lewis or the cop that just ticketed him... who would you want to learn from? Who do you think could teach you to be a better (and therefore safer) driver?

PS: I know cops receive training. I know they know more than the average driver on the street. But they do not know as much or have as much skill as Lewis Hamilton.

Pretty much what KingofJericho said. Didn't you also post about a speed run up to 1++ mph in a tunnel, and that it was OK? If that wasn't you, I apologize. Here's the thing. I don't care if you're Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Senna, or whomever - you're not a better driver than: a sudden unexpected slick of oil, (no team to tell you it's there), hidden broken road, silt or rocks around the corner, another driver suddenly loosing control and PITTING you, an animal running out in front, a car dashing into your path from a blind entrance, etc.

Again, like Jericho says, a racetrack is a controlled environment, and STILL THEY ALL CRASH eventually. Why you think any of this has a thing to do with the skill of the people issuing the tickets is beyond me. I worry that you look at this all wrong. Be safe.