Big-time road rule violators: exposed

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By Brett Davis | June 22nd, 2011

OWN GOAL – Judge blows own drink driving regulations; speed camera operator doubles limit in camera car

In two separate cases of massive irony recently, a former NSW Supreme Court judge who wrote some of the guidelines for drinking driving sentences has pleaded guilty to a drink driving charge. Meanwhile, a speed camera operator has been caught speeding at double the speed limit in a covert camera van.

Former Supreme Court judge, Roderick Howie, has pleaded guilty to a mid-range drinking driving charge this morning at Ryde Local Court. Mr Howie was unable to attend the hearing as he is on holiday in Japan, but sent a letter to the Ryde court saying that he expected to be fined and have his licence suspended.

The magistrate at Ryde was concerned about Mr Howie’s judgement on how serious the charge was however, saying that he had “unusual misapprehension about sentencing options”. There is a chance Mr. Howie could face time in jail.

In the incident in question, Mr Howie caused a three-car crash on Beecroft Road, near North Epping in Sydney, on May 19 earlier this year. He first ran up the back of a truck and then bounced off onto the other side of the road, hitting another car, all while under the influence of alcohol.

In 2004, Mr Howie was one of five judges on a panel arguing that the sternness of magistrates was too light, ruling that charges being laid onto drink drivers were not strict enough. Mr Howie was noted as saying,

“It is a criminal offence to drive a motor vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol, and that substantial penalties, including imprisonment, are available to the courts to punish those who commit the offence.

“A person who commences to consume alcohol outside his or her home must appreciate that he or she runs the risk of reaching a level of intoxication at which it is a criminal offence to drive a motor vehicle.”

In another bout of irony, Stuart Rollo, a remote speed camera operator in Victoria, has been sacked after he was caught doing 102km/h in a 50km/h zone. Mr Rollo appealed the decision to fire him, but Commissioner G.R. Smith determined the job termination to be warranted under the circumstances.

Mr Rollo was caught speeding in the government fleet speed camera van on a number of accounts. The speed camera van was fitted with GPS tracking devices which can provide the locality and speed of the vehicle at any given time. The equipment registered Mr Rollo driving at 113km/h in a 100km/h in one instance, and then 102km/h in a 50km/h zone.

A Victorian Police vehicle then photographed him driving at 87km/h in an 80km/h zone. Some investigations were put forward surrounding the accuracy of the GPS tracking units, but Commissioner Smith said,

“In any event, to the extent that errors may exist, I find [on investigation evidence] that it is unlikely that any error could lead to the equipment not being able to discern the difference between 50 km/h and 102 km/h.”

What do you think of authoritative figures and representatives of law being caught for not practicing what they preach? Do you think they should get special royalties for charges? Or should they be treated the same as everyone else?

vti07

They should get harsher penalties as they are supposed to be setting a good example for everyone else to follow?
Carnie

Those two are either incredibly stupid or totally arrogant. Either way both are not traits we want in people that make decisions that impact on everyone who drives. Penalties should be harsher on them since they either enforce or make the rules.
The Gavel

Mr Brett Davis,

This so stands out you weren’t there – so don’t write the report as if you were.

Correction #1.

Ryde Local Court does not have a “judge” – it is a Magistrate.

Correction #2.

While Beecroft Rd is near North Epping (divided by a train line and bushland and some housing) – it goes northwards from Epping so why not just say that. North Epping has no relevance to the story, as much as Beecroft Rd is near Ryde.

Correction #3

There isnt a chance he could face jail – thats kinda like a double double. Jail is an option available to the magistrate under the law for mid range PCA.

Everyone is equal in the eyes of the law, but the magistrate will no doubt take into account submissions from both the former Justice Howie, as well as the prosecution. Don’t try and second guess what the punishment will be, or infer that a “special case” is going on here. Do that after the sentencing – not before as it demeans the legal process.

On a final note, I wouldn’t if I were you Mr. Davis, consider advancing your career by taking on the court “beat”.

Perhaps further you can explain into which category of irony these two cases are …….

mmmmmm

do you need to sound like such a ****er?
as Brett clearly reports someone who very obviously should have know better blatantly broke the law and also caused a multi-car accident.
The stupid fool also clearly showed his contempt for the legal system by going on holiday instead of facing up to his crimes.

A

SNAP!
Handsome_Al

I think next is the Gavel.. What do you do for a living? It might comes back to bite ya….

And Brett might put it on caradvice.com.au

Thats gonna be an irony..

chook

These account ONLY for the times these hypocrites caught !!!!..They most likely dont even believe in what they preach because it just provides an income for them by doing so . The camera operators are morally at the same level as parking inspectors and corrupt politicians !! . Theres no excuse for them by saying that theyre just doing their job…..they chose the job and theres other jobs out there !!
ClioRS200

I hope the remote speed camera operator from Victoria, comes out and tells the truth behind the speed cameras.
Al Juraj

It seems that the Commodore wagon with the camera is on the shoulder. It should only be used for emergency purposes, so the enforcer is actually breaching another road rule.

As for speeding, it only goes to show that humans are meant to drive fast. Even lawmakers violate what they themselves enact. If these pricks can’t practice what they preach, then there should be no such rules in the first place.
Jeb

I know a story of a NSW cop that came to Victoria and was caught speeding, he was very confident that he would get off by showing his badge and the Victorian cop said “you should know better” and fined him anyway. The Victorian cop was dam right! It is pathetic what these idiots do.

chook

I bet that many cops really enjoy driving well above the limit while on duty within their own rural patrol areas…so who are we to say that much of those times they were pursuing no one in particular .

Alberto Rosso

When I wor a lad I had a mate whose father was the cop in charge of a Police Boys Club in the bush. The family lived on the premises and the club addrss was prominent on the lad’s (paper) licence.

Any tome he got pulled by the cops for some driving indiscretion (which as often) it was always words to the effect of “On your way son and give my regards to your dad”.