NAME.....The Clever Motorist
CODE.....TR8712
ORIGIN...USA; 1991
STATUS...Undecided

A man caught speeding on a Motorway by a speed camera, decided to play a little practical joke when he was sent his penalty fine of £40. He was also sent a photograph of the speeding car, the time and the date, and was informed that 3 points would be docked from his driving licence.

The motorist sent back a photo of a cheque payable to the amount of £40, the police then sent him a photo of a pair of handcuffs, the motorist got the message and paid up!

Summary

This British version of 'The Clever Motorist' emerged onto the scene in 1997, but the story may have originated from a Newspaper column from a San Francisco columnist in 1991. Herb Caen told the story about Steve Barkley of Pebble Beach sending the police a photo of $45 dollars in cash, when fined the same amount after being caught speeding by a radar speed trap. A week later, the same columnist followed up the story, and reported that the police had outwitted Steve by sending him a photo of a pair of handcuffs. Caen finished the column by writing "Your move, Steve."

So, it seems that the legend could have emerged from a true incident, although I am not completely convinced of the authenticity of the Steve Barkley story, it seems to be too neatly constructed for my liking. Would the police have the time and patience to play this little game with Mr. Barkley? Or more than likely, would they not be amused by Steve Barkley's witticism, and consider it wasting police time?

The British versions to not vary a great deal from the American ones, although the photo sent to the police is normally of a cheque to the amount of the fine, not cash, as in the American versions. The legend is usually localised by the teller, and told as a recent event that has happened.

Final Thoughts

In Britain, motorists caught speeding by speed cameras have to request that photographic evidence is to be sent to them, at a cost of about £6 (at time of print). Photographic evidence is not sent automatically, as claimed in the British versions of the legend.