I got my first speeding ticket

gerretl

Thanks Brighton Council. After fourteen years for trouble free driving you gave me a ticket for doing 36 in a 30 mph zone.:mad:
Anyway. I need some advice on how this will affect my insurance etc. I drive for a living (always in the limit). Is it worth contesting, or will it be a lost cause, since I am an employed middle class man with a steady income (i.e. I can pay the fine)
All advice welcome.

dwsjarcmcd

gerretl wrote:

Thanks Brighton Council. After fourteen years for trouble free driving you gave me a ticket for doing 36 in a 30 mph zone.:mad:
Anyway. I need some advice on how this will affect my insurance etc. I drive for a living (always in the limit). Is it worth contesting, or will it be a lost cause, since I am an employed middle class man with a steady income (i.e. I can pay the fine)
All advice welcome.

Think yourself lucky, every time I get rid of one, up pops another!! but then I don't always drive within the speed limits, although I'm learning.

As for your insurance, 1 ticket shouldn't make too much difference, just remember to declare it!

ariba10

Speeding fines are voluntary.

All you have to do is keep within the limits.

impy78

I don't understand why you would contest a speeding ticket, when you have admitted you were going 6mph over the limit. If you hit someone at this speed those extra few miles per hour can be the difference between life and death. The limits are there for a reason.

gerretl

ariba10 wrote:

Speeding fines are voluntary.

All you have to do is keep within the limits.

That was harsh. I made an error. I am not one of the types that sees the public highways as a racetrack. I also have the good grace to accept my error, and not write off to Top Gear about how unfair it is.

gerretl

impy78 wrote:

I don't understand why you would contest a speeding ticket, when you have admitted you were going 6mph over the limit. If you hit someone at this speed those extra few miles per hour can be the difference between life and death. The limits are there for a reason.

I know. My OH thinks it's funny, since I am well known amongst my friends for my.. er.. cautious driving style. I just don't want one slip up to mess things up too much.

vsumouse

gerretl wrote:

Thanks Brighton Council. After fourteen years for trouble free driving you gave me a ticket for doing 36 in a 30 mph zone.:mad:

well just think if you hit a child whilst 6mph over the limit,
never mind THANKS.
maybe next time you drive down that road or any road infact you will stay to the MAX limit and save a life, cause you may be able to stop in time.

most of us have speeded from time to time and i hold my hands up to receiving points for speeding, but i have learnt my lesson and relised that limits are there for a reason.

gerretl

vsumouse wrote:

well just think if you hit a child whilst 6mph over the limit,
never mind THANKS.
maybe next time you drive down that road or any road infact you will stay to the MAX limit and save a life, cause you may be able to stop in time.

most of us have speeded from time to time and i hold my hands up to receiving points for speeding, but i have learnt my lesson and relised that limits are there for a reason.

Is no one listening? I know I was over the limit. I knew as soon as I was flashed that I was over, and slowed down immediately. A little warning shot across the bows wouldn't go amiss.
I know people who regularly speed on the motorways, but there is no comeback. Seems to be a double standard to me.

impy78

gerretl wrote:

Is no one listening? I know I was over the limit. I knew as soon as I was flashed that I was over, and slowed down immediately. A little warning shot across the bows wouldn't go amiss.
I know people who regularly speed on the motorways, but there is no comeback. Seems to be a double standard to me.

Yes, so I guess if they stuck their hand in the fire, so would you?!

I don't think there is any point in getting at the people who are only pointing out common sense. Yes it is unfair that everyone who speeds doesn't get a ticket every time they do it, but that is the risk you take (along with several rather more serious ones), when you decide that you want to break the rules.

The point is that every day, someone comes and posts on here about the immense injustice of having had a speeding fine, and people have ceased (if they had any in the first place) to have any sympathy.

cullin

gerretl you should by now get to reconise the sanctimonious MSE members who spend their life thanking one another for their pious comments. on the serious side we remain the only country to settle with the court and then find certain insurance thiefs that will then fine you for the next five years (used to be three). Do inform your insurance co. as soon as convicted as there was an article in the D/Telegraph regarding an unfortunate lady motorist whose insuranse co paid out everybody else's claim but declined hers on the grounds yes you gussed it, she had overlooked the small print and not informed them at the time. good luck

Coupon-mad

Gerretl, I feel for you as you were not much over the speed limit, but as you probably know Brighton & Hove Council have a zero-tolerance attitude to anything to do with cars....they won't be satisfied until they've 'driven' cars out of the City altogether. Contesting your fine would be pointless I think.

I would begrudge them my money too (once got done for speeding, once for parking on a single yellow, never again I hope as your money just gets used to pay more of their Hitler-like Traffic Wardens). If anyone thinks I am wrong just try visiting Brighton by car...you won't feel welcome...