Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Excuse to drive during lockdown

Each to their own but this is the camp I'm in.

The Home Secretary has been keeping a very low profile until now. The police need her support and complete clarity as the guidelines according to some legal experts are just that and wouldn’t stand scrutiny in a court of law of challenged. The government has tried to suggest to the population rather than order them to do things over the past few weeks so it is little wonder that some of the population see nothing wrong at driving out into the countryside for a jolly or for exercise, travelling to a holiday home or shopping for non essential goods. I’m sure in other countries there are clear firm instructions that are demands.

I feel sorry for the police, they are doing their best to try to protect the population. This Easter weekend is going to be the big test for observing government guidelines especially if the weather holds out. I for one hope that the Cumbria police succeed in preventing travel into the county.

I’d love to be out in my motorbike, classic car (if it was running 🙄) or out on the estuary in my kayak or sailing this weekend but it’s gives out all the wrong messages to those who are striving to self isolate.

Hamwich ..... while agreeing with you regarding conforming to the restrictions ....things like "only take one hour max exercise" and "don't drive to where you exercise" do not form part of the legislation ...they are guidelines and clarifications from individual ministers not law ..... in the long run it is case law that sets the parameters of what the law actually "meant" ... Tho hopefully we'll be well past this current unpleasantness before those slowly grinding wheels sort it all out . These 'extra' pronouncements reflect the impossibility of legislating for every eventuality ...and the rarity of common sense.

K

OK, accepted. I've been guilty of not being absolutely precise. The law permits the Secretary of State to impose restrictions on individuals or groups of people (sections 5 & 10).

The Government then used the legislation to issue the instructions, including the clarification notes, specifying the 2m distance etc:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...s-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

It includes a section on the penalties for breaking the rules:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...t-will-happen-to-me-if-i-break-the-rules

and you are of course quite right, the interpretation of what is exactly meant by phrases such as:



will be settled in the courts. Personally they seem pretty clear to me, though.

Talking of cars, you may wish to check with your insurers, none essential journey's could potentially void your insurance.

Don't take the pee guys, you are all potentially in the risk category, ideally you need to reduce all risks of ending up in a hospital at this time.

Think of your Morgan parked up while you shop and the unwanted attention they get at times with people touching them etc even if only admiringly.

Take your tin top if you have one.

The legislation clearly allows people to use a car to make essential journeys - for example, to go to work (key workers) and to get shopping.

To date, I have not seen a list of what type of car you are allowed to use.

As said above, if you have convinced yourself not to use your Morgan, then that is your decision. I have yet to see any sensible or credible reason not to use my Morgan when I'm called in to work (the Mrs does all the food shopping - supermarkets make me angry)

I went 3 miles to and from Tesco yesterday. Used the Morgan. It hasn’t been driven for a month. No issues whatsoever.
It is now back in the garage and not used for at least 2 weeks, and if then used it will be a repeat of the short shopping journey.
News reports from yesterday told of Pembrokeshire police stopping traffic to check on the reasons for the journey. Many told to return home and 3, I think, fined.
Going to Tenby to go “crabbing” with the family as if on a normal day out was one excuse.
Selfish, stupid idiots.

I've driven 20 miles to work and back every day this week in the Morgan. Can't see any reason not to use it if I have to do the journey. I can justify the travel as I'm a railway worker and therefore classed as ' essential' It's a car, after all and driving it is no different in law to any other.

If that was the case, your insurance would also be void if you had a crash because you were speeding or driving carelessly

I've just been out on mine (not off the property though, got to respect the rules) up to the 2018 muck heap to dig out a load of well-rotted manure for the veg patches.