A HUMOROUS gesture cost a motorist £30 when over-zealous traffic cops busted him for beeping his horn.
Nick Lenthall also gave officers the thumbs-up as he drove past a police speed check point in West Moors, Dorset, on Monday.
Mr Lenthall said he was smiling because he believed the speed checks were designed to generate extra income.
But he was amazed when officers turned up at his work to dish out a fine for "unnecessary use of audible warning equipment".
The 47-year-old council highways worker - who said he was not speeding - said several officers had bundled into a police van to follow him after his light-hearted gesture yesterday.
He said: "What right have they got to tell me I can't put my thumb up and beep?"
Police were today accused of wasting public money.
Brian MacDowall, spokesman for the Association of British Drivers (ABD), said it was an example of "a police state acting in an arrogant and contemptuous manner".
He added: "One wonders if the police haven't got anything better to do that they are just applying petty laws regardless of circumstances. It just beggars belief.
"All they have achieved is to make that person more antagonistic towards the police."
Dorset Police confirmed a fixed penalty notice had been issued to a lorry driver for a minor traffic infraction by officers engaged in road safety checks in West Moors.
A spokesman said four officers were being trained by two tutor constables and a sergeant at the time but refused to comment further.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
The SUN
