A man has spoken of his anger after he was issued with a penalty notice for speeding while he was on his way to visit his father who was battling Covid-19 in hospital before Christmas.
Phil Clarke, 44, was travelling to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital to visit his dad, Bev Clarke, on Tuesday, December 22 when he realised he had been caught on camera driving what he said was slightly over the speed limit.
He was driving on the A4119 when he realised the camera had gone off, claiming he was unaware he was travelling at what he said was a speed of 44mph in a 40mph zone, and at the time he held a clean driving licence. He said due to "worry and concern" he lost concentration for a brief moment and set off the camera, and as a result was issued with a penalty notice. This led to him having to pay around £85 to take part in a speed awareness course.
As the situation progressed, Phil's mother was told she had also contracted Covid-19.
Phil said: "I wrote a letter highlighting the extenuating circumstances asking if my speeding ticket would be revoked. I was met with a soulless generic response saying they would not intervene, and I had to decide to either accept the fine, take a speed awareness course or take the matter to court.
"I questioned this response and that I had no points on my licence which indicated that I am a safe driver and abide by the laws. I made a complaint to which nothing was done by the police complaints department except highlighting the fact that I could challenge this matter in a court of law. With my knowledge of law and finance, the court process rarely lends itself to a successful outcome, and you can be met with a £2,000 fine instead. It is effectively a roll of the dice. That’s why I chose to proceed with a speed awareness course instead when my circumstances for attending that course were far different to anyone else’s."
Phil's father later died from Covid-19 and, tragically, his mother wasn’t able to attend the funeral as she was fighting her own coronavirus battle at the Heath Hospital. He said he received many letters regarding the penalty notice from South Wales Police around this time, as well as on the day of his father's funeral.
Phil, who is originally from Pontypridd, and now lives in Rhiwbina, Cardiff, said his father played cricket for the Abercynon team for 50 years until he was 75. Bev, 85, was also a lifelong Cardiff City supporter, and served in the Royal Engineers, and Phil said he was held by "so much affection" by many people around the Valleys.
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Speaking about his father, Phil said: "He was one of a kind and an all rounder in every sense of the word.
"He went in with pneumonia and tested negative (for coronavirus ) on admission, but then tested positive after a while. He would still be here now if it hadn't been for Covid, bless him. As a result of my mother coming with me, my mother came down with Covid. I was lucky to see my dad as a lot of people haven't had that. That's one thing I can hold onto that I got to see my dad."
Speaking about the penalty notice, Phil added: "It's just frustrating really given the extenuating circumstances. I feel upset. I did it without realising. There was no sense of care. I thought my particular circumstances were quite individual and I was carrying stress - there was something they could have done to stop it. I was just a few miles over the limit."
Phil said he thought some speed cameras were being used to make money for the government rather than preventing accidents. He described some areas as being "good hunting grounds for fines".
He said: "I guess the most disturbing aspect of all this is that it happened during an unprecedented pandemic where so many lives have been affected. I'm not one to make a fuss about anything, but I really don't get it in these particular circumstances. If I had previous points I really wouldn't say anything."
Phil's mum, who is 83, has since made a recovery from her illness, but Phil said it had been a tough few months for them.
He added: "She's a tough cookie and she made a recovery, but all this has been ongoing when I have received these letters."
In regard to the support the family had received from the community since his father passed away, Phil explained people had really come together to honour his memory. Abercynon Cricket Club created a March Challenge where people were walking ‘virtually’ to every county cricket ground raising money for Memorial Benches in memory of Bev. Phil said this sense of community spirit had really helped at what had been a difficult time.
Phil said: "The response from the community has been unbelievable and we have raised over £3,000 in just two weeks with the likes of former Wales Rugby Captain Mike Watkins, former First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones, ex-Wales rugby player Mark Ring, ex-Wales and Lions Captain Sam Warburton, and ex-Glamorgan and England Cricketers all making video contributions of encouragement to all taking part in the challenge.
"The sense of community from Abercynon has been something to behold to a much loved character, and South Wales Police could learn a lot from the compassion shown by my father's cricket club. The memorial benches for Bev Clarke, and his childhood friend Alby Davies, will be unveiled in the summer."
The final leg of the Abercynon March Challenge comes to an end this Sunday as the group walk ‘virtually’ to Antigua, and the Sir Viv Richards Cricket ground, which is a distance of 4,000 miles.
When asked to comment about the issue, South Wales Police asked Wales Online to contact GoSafe.
A statement provided by GoSafe said: “We cannot comment on individual cases. If Mr Clarke believes his case was mishandled then he needs to follow the South Wales Police complaints process.
"We can confirm our enforcement in a 40mph starts at 46mph, not 44mph as stated.”
