Top this for a speeding ticket!

[Barbara Wilkinson]

Two traffic patrol officers from North Berwick were involved in an unusual incident while checking for speeding motorists on the A1 Great North Road. One of the officers used a hand-held radar device to check the speed of a vehicle approaching over the crest of a hill, and was surprised when the speed was recorded at over 300 mph. Their radar suddenly stopped working and the officers were not able to reset it.

Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact latched on to a NATO Tornado fighter jet which was engaged in a low-flying exercise over the Border district, approaching from the North Sea.

Back at police headquarters the chief constable fired off a stiff complaint to the RAF Liaison office.

Back came the reply in true laconic RAF style:

"Thank you for your message, which allows us to complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Tornado had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked onto, your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it. Furthermore, an air-to-ground missile aboard the fully-armed aircraft had also automatically locked onto your equipment. Fortunately the pilot flying the Tornado recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile systems alert status, and was able to override the automated defence system before the missile was launched and your hostile radar installation was destroyed.

Good Day..."

[Neil Wilson]

This has been on the net for about 7 years. One site claims it was a hoax. I heard of a plod trying to clock a Harrier and his radar gun went off the clock, but he claimed it was an accident as he tripped or something as the plane flew past.

[Barbara Wilkinson]

First time I'd seen it - seemed unlikely but it made me smile! Thought it make make others smile ....!!

[Mike_E]

With my background of working on Radar,and jamming (no not music type) during my time in the R.A.F. I've often thought about building a jammer that could be used against Radar traps, but they appear to be moving away from the old Doppler systems in favour of laser systems. I guess the best defense for these is to have a stealth car.

[Jan1954]

With my background of working on Radar,and jamming (no not music type) during my time in the R.A.F. I've often thought about building a jammer that could be used against Radar traps, but they appear to be moving away from the old Doppler systems in favour of laser systems. I guess the best defense for these is to have a stealth car.

Or just stick to the speed limits...:)

You watch, I shall be hoisted by my own petard and get a speeding ticket now! |biggrin|

[Sue Mackay]

Reminds me of the following:

This is the actual radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995. Radio conversation released by the chief of naval operations, 10-10-95.

CANADIANS: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.

AMERICANS: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.

CANADIANS: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.

AMERICANS: This is the captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

CANADIANS: No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.

AMERICANS: This is the Aircraft Carrier US Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied with three Destroyers, three Cruisers and numerous support vessels. I DEMAND that you change your course 15 degrees north. I say again, that's one-five degrees north, or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.

CANADIANS: This is a lighthouse. Your call.

I remember this being published in the papers around 1995, and my son actually used it in an essay he had to write on bullying when he was at school. I remember his teacher was impressed when he ended it with "Always try to be a lighthouse, but remember you can radio for assistance."

Needless to say I found the piece again easliy enough on the net!

[Pam Downes]

That's the one I was trying to remember earlier, Sue, so thanks for the whole story. All I could remember was that there was a lighthouse in it. :D
Pam

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

I read this article this morning, in the Wakefield Express (online)

A TWO-year-old girl has been issued a speeding ticket after she was apparently clocked driving a car at 65 mph in a 40 mph zone.
The notice of intended prosecution was sent by South Yorkshire Police to toddler Ayesha Khan at her home address on Walnut Avenue, Peacock.

And when her mum, Sharna, contacted them to say there must have been a mistake, she claims she was told if the fine was not paid someone would have to make a court appearance.

Mrs Khan said: "Ayesha is only two, she can not even reach the pedals of a car and can only just ride her bike."

Ayesha's alleged offence was caught on a speed camera back in May on the A638 York Road, near Pipering Lane in Doncaster. The family say they were in Huddersfield at the time, and the ticket is for a car with a different registration to the one they own.

But both parents say there may be a more sinister overtone to the case if their daughter's identity has been stolen.

Mrs Khan said: "At first I assumed someone had been caught for speeding and just given a false name, but the ticket was issued from a speed camera.

"If the car that was speeding is on the police system
registered to Ayesha then they would have needed her details to insure and register the car."

Dad Mohamed, 32, said: "Ayesha has not even left the house on her own yet. If there is an ID fraud going on I want the police to help us get to the bottom of it.

"I do not want anything on any records that may harm her future – that must not happen."

Chief Inspector Ian Bint is the head of roads policing at South Yorkshire Police.

He said: "There has been an ambiguity in the information supplied to us that caused the notice of intended prosecution to be issued to Ayesha Khan.

"This is beyond our control and we apologise for any inconvenience and distress caused to the Khan family.

"We are satisfied that there has been no deliberate attempt by anyone to mislead."

South Yorkshire Police have also promised the Khan family they will be contacting them to resolve the matter fully.