Thousands of drivers could write off speeding fines simply by refusing to sign forms sent out by the police. An amazing loophole in the British law means motorists can escape conviction if they leave the space for their names blank. The law requires them to fill in forms supplying information requested by cops--but does not oblige them to provide s signature. And if the forms are unsigned they lose their validity as evidence in court. The get-out came to light during a court case in which motorist Philip Dennis, 34, was let off by magistrates. Philip's speeding car was caught in the camera and he was sent a form requiring him to give details of who was at the wheel. The law states that the "registered keeper" of a vehicle must supply this information or risk a fine of as much as ￡2,500. Philip filled in the form but sent it back without signing it. When his case came up before Flintshire Magistrates the court clerk noticed the omission. Chairman John Beard said cops ought to ensure the form was signed. But the clerk advised him that, as the law now stands, they had no power to do so. Mr. Beard then said he had no choice but to find Philip not guilty. The authority said they are aware of this weakness and are looking into it to take action. (Agencies) | 成千上万超速的驾驶员可以轻而易举地逃掉罚款，诀窍就是不在警察开出的罚单上签名。 英国的驾驶员们抓住这个惊人的法律漏洞，只要空着罚款单上签名一栏不填，就可以逃避罪责了。法律只要求他们在罚款单上填写警察所要求的信息--却没有要求他们一定要签名。而不签名的罚款单在法庭上是不能成为证据的。 如果不是34岁的菲利普·丹尼斯在法庭上被地方法官无可奈何地无罪释放，这样的漏洞还不会引起人们的注意。他超速行驶的车子被公路相机拍到，警方要求他解释当时驾车人的具体身份。 按照法律，超速汽车的"登记所有者"必须向警察提供当时的详细情况，否则就要面临2，500英镑的处罚。而菲利普按照要求填写了情况表，却没有在上面签名。 当他的案子呈上弗林特郡法庭时，法庭工作人员注意到了表格上的空白项。法官约翰·比尔德指出警察应该确保当事人在表格上签字。但工作人员提醒他从法律角度看，警察并没有权力这么做。因此他只好宣布菲利普无罪。 有关方面表示他们已经注意到了这一漏洞，并准备采取措施解决这一问题。 （中国日报网站译） |
Updated: 2003-03-24 01:00
