Speeding Fine - Cheaper Going to Court?

gareth6344

Hello,

I've been caught speeding at 34mph in a 30mph zone and I've been giving a £60 + 3 points fixed penalty notice. I was going to pay this but looking at the court fine calculator on this site: pepipoo.com - it says the normal fine range is £25-75, as I'm a student and my income is only £60 a week from my part time job and I have no other source of income. Is this correct, meaning it will actually be cheaper to go to court than pay the fixed penalty? I've been driving 2 years and have no other points on my licence.

Thanks!

boliston

What about costs and "victim surcharge"?

mark5

The court will probably cost you more in total but you might be able to pay a few quid per week which might help you a bit.

LeeSouthEast

34 in a 30? ACPO guidelines are 10% + 2, so you shouldn't be booked until you reach 35mph. How were you booked up?

waynedance

The speed at which you can get caught differ from county to county.

I know as I have done a speed awareness course, Leicestershire for example is 34mph but Nottinghamshire is 33mph.

Pay the fine.

gareth6344

Thanks for the replies.

I didn't even concider that there would be costs etc on top of the fine, so I'll just pay the £60 in that case.

And I was pulled over Lee. I was especially annoyed as the police were by the side of the road, but behind a kind of wall so you couldn't see them till it was too late. I've always thought there was a 10% plus 2 up until now. Oh well.

Thanks anyway

Dr.Shoe_2

They are quite entitled to operate a concealed speeding trap though many forces discourage the practice.

As you were pulled over you cannot use the usual loopholes that apply to NIPs so my advice would be to pay up and draw a line under it.

angeltreats

Three points for 34 in a 30 is shockingly unlucky.

DaveF327

Care to name the location and police force? I thought most forces offered a speed awareness course for a first offence with those small speed margins.

j4g3d

DaveF327 wrote: »

Care to name the location and police force? I thought most forces offered a speed awareness course for a first offence with those small speed margins.

Hertfordshire do the speed awareness course.

But bedfordshire i know do not. So im guessing a few other counties do not do it.

Stupid really, should be nationwide. Its not like we live in states.

LeeSouthEast

I'd consider writing a letter of complaint. It probably won't change anything, but it might help the next victim.

Concealed officers (not best practice), not adhering to ACPO speed guidelines.. it's all quite shocking really.