Justin Bieber on Miami drink-drive charge after 'road racing'

Pop star Justin Bieber has appeared before a Miami court accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs.

Police said the Canadian was arrested early on Thursday after racing his sports car on a Miami Beach street.
They said he did not co-operate when pulled over and also charged him with resisting arrest without violence and having an expired driving licence.
The 19-year-old singer was granted bail set at $2,500 (£1,500).

He had appeared before the judge via video-link from a Miami prison. He later left the jail escorted by officials and his personal entourage, before climbing on to the roof of a sports utility vehicle to wave to fans.
He has had several run-ins with police over the past year.

 

Justin Bieber waves after leaving the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami 

 

 

In the latest incident, police said the singer had been racing a yellow Lamborghini against another sports car in the early hours of Thursday.

The Miami Herald reported that members of the musician's entourage had apparently used their cars to block traffic on Pine Tree Drive at 26th Street, effectively creating a drag strip.
Miami-Dade Police said the star didn't co-operate with officers at first, questioning why he had been stopped. He also had an invalid Georgia driver's licence, they alleged.

The driver of the second car - a red Ferrari - was also arrested and both cars impounded, they said.
The other driver was later named as an R&B singer known as Khalil. He was also set bail by the court.
"During the investigation Mr Bieber made statements that he had consumed some alcohol, that he had been smoking marijuana and consumed some prescription medication," said Miami Beach police chief Raymond Martinez.
"They were starting from a stop position and they were accelerating to a high rate of speed, going almost double the speed limit... in that area."

The arrest report said the singer "had slow deliberate movements" and a look of "stupor" when the officer told him to step out of the Lamborghini.
The two men were first taken to Miami Beach police station and later transferred to a Miami-Dade County jail before their court appearance.

The street where police say Mr Bieber was racing is a residential area in mid-Miami Beach.

 

A Lamborghini, right, and a Ferrari were both impounded by Miami police

 

 

R&B singer Khalil was allegedly driving the red Ferrari

 

 

A police van believed to be carrying Justin Bieber arrived at a county jail

 

 

Small apartment buildings are along one side of the street and on the other side are a high school, a youth centre, a golf course and a fire station.

The arrest came a week after Mr Bieber's home in Los Angeles was searched by police following allegations he had thrown eggs at his neighbour's house.
He was accused of causing significant damage to the property. One member of his entourage was arrested for alleged drug possession following the search.

Last year, the singer was asked to remove graffiti he had left on the wall of a hotel in Australia. That came a month after he was charged in Brazil over a similar offence.

In 2012 he faced accusations of reckless driving, although prosecutors declined to press charges.

Justin Bieber lives in a gated community in Calabasas, about 30 miles north-west of central Los Angeles.

Elderly drivers should alert other motorists to their age - study recommends

 Survey of drivers by the AA found that almost half would leave more space in front and avoid tailgating if they were following a car driven by somebody elderly

 

 

Elderly drivers would be treated more considerately on the roads by alerting other motorists to their age, figures suggest.

A survey of drivers by the AA found that almost half would leave more space in front and avoid tailgating if they were following a car driven by somebody elderly.

The figure suggests that signs drawing attention to an “experienced” driver could have a similar effect to the “baby on board” stickers displayed by new parents.

Paul Green, of Saga insurance, said: “Anything that tries to encourage politeness on British roads should be welcomed. Driving bumper to bumper is a completely anti-social activity whether driving at 80 or 18.

“It is great that drivers want to show older people more courtesy on the roads, but it is quite alarming to think that people think it is perfectly OK to harass younger drivers.”

The Populus survey of 17,629 AA members found that 47 per cent said they tried to give older drivers a wider berth. Researchers found that the results differed little between age groups, suggesting that younger respondents were as considerate of another driver’s age as older ones.

The survey also found that 22 per cent of drivers would be more likely to give way to a classic car, but one in five said they would be less likely to yield to a 4x4 or a luxury car, with those in London having the least patience.

One in five also admitted to losing their cool while behind learner drivers. Motorists aged 18 to 24 were least tolerant of learners, with 31 per cent admitting to losing their patience, compared with 15 per cent of over-65s.

Edmund King, the president of the AA, said: “We’ve got a careless driving fixed penalty offence now, that was introduced last year, and technically you should be able to get a fine and penalty points for tailgating.
“Tailgating is one of the biggest dangers on the motorway — in many ways more dangerous than speeding. In all our surveys, along with the middle-lane-hog the tailgater comes out as one of the top pet hates.”

What do you think? Please let us know!

Man, 20, who took dad’s BMW and crashed it into shop before fleeing was learning to drive, court hears

 

A 20-year-old man learning to drive sneaked into his dad s BMW and crashed it into a shop before he panicked and fled the scene, a court heard.

A 20-year-old man learning to drive sneaked into his dad’s BMW and crashed it into a shop before he “panicked” and fled the scene, a court heard.

Ashley Baker, of Sheldrake Drive, Ipswich, has been banned from driving for six months after damaging the front of a Premier Stores outlet in Greenfinch Avenue, on the town’s Chantry estate, at around 4am on October 6.

Magistrates heard the silver BMW, discovered around a mile away from the shop by police, was written off after it sustained “substantial damage”.
Baker pleaded guilty to five charges, including careless driving, before he was spared jail at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Dino Barricella, mitigating for Baker, admitted the “temptation of driving a BMW” had “gotten the better” of his client.
“He was another young man learning to drive who decided for whatever reason to take the BMW,” he said.
“It was too powerful and he lost control at the scene. He panicked and fled. He knows it was wrong. He is genuinely sorry for his actions. His father has forgiven him.”

The court was told that Baker, currently claiming job seeker’s allowance, was taking driving lessons at the time of the accident.
Residents reported being awoken by a loud bang before police arrived on the scene and put a cordon in place.
Fire crews and workers from gas and electricity companies were also called due to a strong smell of gas.

Investigating officers originally believed the incident could have been an attempted ram raid.
Baker and a 44-year-old man were initially arrested on suspicion of burglary the morning after the incident but police later confirmed no burglary charges were to be brought and the 44-year-old told he faced no further action.

Baker pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, driving with no licence, driving without insurance and failing to stop/report a road traffic collision.
Prosecutor Ian Devine said there was “no suggestion” that the incident was an attempted ram raid.
“He has simply gone off the road (following) a poor piece of driving,” he said.
“He had no licence and had no insurance to drive.”
He said the front number plate of the BMW discovered at the scene and traces of DNA found on an airbag in the BMW led to the arrest of Baker.

The court was also told that the shop had sustained damage to its shutters at the front of the store.
In addition to disqualifying Baker from driving for six months, district judge Cecilia Dawson fined him a total of £160.
He must pay a £20 victim surcharge and was also ordered to pay £85 costs

Driving in Fog: Top Tips

Cold and wet weather occasionally brings fog to our roads and the reduced visibility makes fog one of the most dangerous weather conditions for driving.

It's not always possible to avoid journeys on foggy roads, so we recommend reading our tips and advice to help you stay safe.

Check your car

During the winter months and especially when setting off on a journey in fog, it's important to check all your lights are working. You will often need to use your windscreen wipers and demisters while driving through fog for the best visibility, so check these are working too. For more advice on preparing for travelling by car in winter, make sure to read our winter driving tips.

Slow down and use caution

It may sound obvious but slowing down is the most effective method of avoiding an accident. Fog compromises your ability to anticipate what's happening on the road ahead of you and the amount of road you can see may change in an instant. Driving slowly and leaving more space between you and the car in front gives you more time to react to cars or events that may take you by surprise.

Dipped headlights and fog lights

Always use dipped headlights in fog, as it makes it easier for other drivers to see you on the road. If the fog is very thick and you can see less than 100 metres of the road ahead, you can also use fog lights – but it's important to remember to turn them off when visibility improves. It might also feel instinctive to use your headlights on full beam but this will only direct light into the fog, which could dazzle you and compromise your view of the road ahead.
Be aware that other drivers may not have remembered to switch on their headlights, which will make them more difficult for you and other drivers to spot.

Junctions in the fog

Thick fog will sometimes make a decision at a junction very difficult. You can help decide whether it's safe to pull out by winding down your window and listening for the sound of traffic. Once you’re sure it's safe, pull out decisively to minimise the amount of time your car spends in the path of cars approaching the junction from other directions.

Freezing fog and black ice

As well as poor visibility, fog can also make the road surface dangerous. Black ice can form very quickly when freezing fog settles on the road, so watch out for this when temperatures are low.

 

Drink driving dangers highlighted in Christmas campaign

A campaign warning of the consequences of drink driving has been launched by the Scottish government ahead of the festive season.

The most recent figures estimated more than 1 in 8 deaths on Scottish roads involved over-the-limit drivers. Motorists lose their licence and have a criminal record lasting 20 years when they are convicted of drink driving. The FestiveDrink Drive 2013 campaign aims to reinforce this message over the Christmas and New Year period. Drivers have been advised not to drink at all before getting behind the wheel over the festive weeks, as the risk is too great.



The amount of alcohol it would take to be considered over the driving limit is different for each individual and has a number of variables, including weight, gender and metabolism.
'No excuse'
 
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "Our priority is to save lives. But some drivers are still not heeding the warnings and around 30 people are killed every year in Scotland due to drink driving. Over 20,000 drivers are stopped by police in Scotland every month.

"Having even one alcoholic drink, then driving, makes you three times more likely to die in a car crash.

"Our message has always been clear - don't ever drink and drive. Even if you are just over the limit, in the eyes of the law you are still a drunk driver and a criminal - there is no grey area."
The campaign was launched in partnership with Road Safety Scotland and Police Scotland.
Supt Iain Murray, head of road policing at Police Scotland, said: "Every year we raise the issue of drink driving and every year there are still people who break the law with no consideration for others. Drink or drive, it's your choice but you cannot do both.

"If you think you are ok as you've only had 'one' or a couple of small drinks think again, it doesn't matter whether you're just over the limit or well over the limit - you're a drunk driver. There really is no excuse.
"If you are stopped by police and fail the breath test, then the fact that you couldn't get public transport, you have an unexpected emergency to attend to or you thought it was a small measure, won't make the slightest bit of difference to officers; you will be arrested.

He added: "Our message is clear, if you intend to drink or have been drinking - leave the car. Don't risk it."

Men beat women in race to pass driving test: More males pass first time round, and they take a third less time to learn

• Government statistic revealed the gender differences
• 48 per cent of women pass their test first time, and 44 per cent of women

The battle of the sexes rages on when it comes to deciding who’s best at driving.
On the theme of learning to drive, however, it seems we have a winner. Sorry ladies, men are better at it, according to official figures. But only just. 

Men not only learn to drive faster, they are also more likely to pass their test first time, research found. 

The gender differences are revealed in official statistics obtained from the Government’s Driving Standards Agency (DSA) by price comparison website Confused.com.

Gender wars: 48 per cent of men pass their test first time, compared to 44 per cent of women

The figures show that this year nearly half (48 per cent) of male motorists who took their test passed first time, compared to just 44 per cent of females.

The research also found that women take an average of eight months to their pass their practical driving test, compared to just six months for men.

But they also suggest self-confidence may play a large part. For nearly four out of ten (39 per cent) of men already believe they are better drivers than women.

By contrast, just a quarter (26 per cent) of women believe themselves to be more competent drivers than their male counterparts.

The figures are set to provoke more furious debate between the sexes following years of talk about specific driving skills such as parallel parking and map-reading.
Studies have suggested that men are better at parking and reading maps - another source of in-car aggravation - because of the way their brains are ‘wired’ which means they are better at visualising 3D pictures in their mind’s eye.

For example, research by the AA shows nearly a third of women will change their driving plans to avoid having to parallel park their car at the end of their journey - twice the rate of men.

Lacking confidence: Data from the AA revealed that women are much less confident parallel parking than men

The AA Driving School highlights how one in five (19 per cent) of motorists changed plans because they couldn’t park in available spaces. But that rises to nearly a third of women (28 per cent) - twice as high as men.

Overall one in six people admit they are not confident about parallel parking. But that rises to a quarter (25 per cent) of female drivers compared to just over 1 in 10 (11 per cent) of men, according to the AA.

The Confused.com research also shows stark age difference with younger drivers having more success than older.

The findings also reveal that the pass rate for 30-year-old males (47 per cent) is significantly lower than for those who took their test at the age of 17 (58 per cent). By age 50, males are even less likely to pass their driving test, with a pass rate of just 41 per cent.

Similarly, more than half of females (55 per cent) who take their test at age 17 will pass - compared to 44 per cent at 20 and under a third (32 per cent) at age 50.
In 2011 the average age for someone to pass their driving test was 23.1 years, compared to 23.4 years last year, and 23.5 this year.

The oldest female to hold a driving licence is 106 and the oldest male is 105. In 2008 three 98 year old females passed their test.

Ministers are currently drawing up reforms to young driver training, including a possible one-year minimum probationary period before they can take their test and restrictions on numbers of passengers in the car.

Some 44 per cent of drivers support increasing the driving age to 18 years. One in five Britons (20 per cent) also think the current methods of testing driving (through theory and practical tests) need to be made stricter and more challenging.

Gemma Stanbury, head of car insurance at Confused.com said their own findings appear to support this: ‘For years, people have argued over whether men or women are the best drivers, and while this is still up for debate, men can now claim at least that they are the quickest learners when they get behind the wheel of the car.’

The AA Driving School says: ‘There is a big gender split. Women are more likely than men to lack parallel parking confidence.’

Driving instructor banned for failing breathalyser after A PUPIL crashed his car

Police tests on the learner and driver of the Mini came back negative but Philip Devereux was found to be nearly twice the legal limit.

Boozy: Devereux was nearly twice the legal limit

A driving instructor has been banned from the roads after he was breathalysed when one of his pupils collided with another vehicle.
Philip Devereux, 64, was supervising a young woman when she crashed his Mini Cooper into a VW Beetle.
Police tests on the learner and driver of the Mini came back negative but Devereux was found to be nearly twice the legal limit.
He admitted drink-driving and has now been banned from the roads for 12 months.
After the case the AA warned that many adults do not realise they can be liable for drink-driving if they are supervising a leaner.
The law says they are deemed to be “in control of the car” and must adhere to the same restrictions as the driver.
The AA said: “Anyone who is supervising a learner driver is legally deemed to be in control of the vehicle.
“They must abide by our driving laws, such as mobile phone use and drink driving.”
Devereux, who worked for the Great Waldingfield School of Motoring in Suffolk, gave a reading of 67mgs of alcohol in 100ml of blood.
The legal limit is 35mgs.
He was banned by magistrates in his hometown of Bury St Edmunds. Devereux was also fined £200, ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.