Cross about fines

Four different motoring stories have appeared at the front of the BBC News Website today.

The first one (link here) is basically a non-story but it probably got there because it is about London.  Although, having said that, the victims weren't from London.  Basically, the ANPR cameras used at the Dartford Crossing were sometimes providing blurred images which meant that the number plates were being mis-read and fines for non-payment were being sent out to people who hadn't driven through it.

It got Vs and Ys mixed up and Cs and Gs and Os and Ds.

I should be worried as Y, G and O all appear in my registration number.

But given we are talking a small number of mistakes out of 55 million journeys, I won't be shelling out for a private plate just yet.

Then again, given the technology used, surely they could tell if a number plate didn't match the vehicle on the photo and then give those few cases to a human being to manually check.  In the case of one complainant - a woman who fell victim of the C & G scenario, the BBC state that:

 "The vehicle pictured was remarkably similar to hers, a silver Honda Jazz, while Eleanor drives a silver Honda CRG"

No she doesn't.  There's no such thing.

She might drive a Honda CRV - she looks like she might.  But I thought you were supposed to get Vs mixed up with Ys not with Gs.

Anyway, here's a silver Honda Jazz.

and here's a much larger silver CRV...

Not seeing a remarkable similarity myself.

Story number 2 involves learner drivers who are fed up with waiting times, so they are booking practical tests through brokers who block-book and re-sell the tests for hundreds of pounds.

My local Test Centre, according to their story, has a wait if 9.5 weeks, or 2 months in real money.

Quite a few centres though have a wait of 24 weeks, or 4 months.

"The test time, location and provisional licence number can be changed at any time, making it easy to rebook or re-sell driving test slots."

Right, well there's the solution - the provisional licence number should be fixed on booking - no changes, only refunds - problem solved.

Story number 3 involves the exploitation of a Nissan Micra with a failed rear axle.

As Frankie Howerd used to say, "Don't mock the afflicted!"

But Banksy has done just that with his take on the Suzuki Jimny spare wheel cover.

I've just taken a stroll down that road on Google StreetView and it's a public road so I hope that car is taxed or it could get towed and then you'd be left with a rhino in mid-jump.

I suppose then it could become a photo opportunity for people to park their own vehicle, wheelie-bin, pram, wife etc. there.

And the fourth story is a boring one about potholes.  Although Alan from Macclesfield has climbed into one which makes a change from the usual photos of local Tory councillors pointing at one.