Is it worth fighting a speeding charge instead of paying up straight away?

jackjones86

Greetings. Hopefully some of you have attempted what I'm about to do and might have some words of wisdom for me.

In a nutshell I was caught speeding and got a stern letter in the post. Was doing 41mph in a 30 zone on a road I've been down once or twice before but don't know particularly well. I want to explain to them that the signposts were not visible enough and were positioned awkwardly (they genuinely were) but who knows if they will listen. Is it worth getting some solicitors who specialise in motoring offences (like these) on board to help get me off the hook?

Whilst the prices those guys offer put me off a bit, the temptation to clear my name and avoid the points is too strong. Unless you can convince me otherwise of course. Will the whole thing be a waste of time?

Quentin

Take this to pepipoo for the best advice.

ado

jackjones86 wrote: »

In a nutshell I was caught speeding and got a stern letter in the post. Was doing 41mph in a 30 zone on a road I've been down once or twice before but don't know particularly well. I want to explain to them that the signposts were not visible enough and were positioned awkwardly (they genuinely were) but who knows if they will listen.

Whilst the prices those guys offer put me off a bit, the temptation to clear my name and avoid the points is too strong. Unless you can convince me otherwise of course. Will the whole thing be a waste of time?

Interesting turn of phrase to say 'clear my name' when you admit breaking the speed limit. BTW signposts are not the only way of telling what roads have which speed limit so an experienced driver who was aware of his or her surroundings and road conditions should have been conscious of the prevailing speed limit.

I would have thought that the cost of a good solicitor would be more than the cost of the points and the possible small increase on insurance premiums associated with the three points this offence carries.

jackjones86

Quentin wrote: »

Take this to pepipoo for the best advice.

Strange name.. :undecided Does look useful though. Thanks for the help.

jackjones86

ado wrote: »

Interesting turn of phrase to say 'clear my name' when you admit breaking the speed limit.

Oops! Yes that does read rather cheekily looking back at it! Still though that is my ultimate aim, even if it's morally questionable.

Notmyrealname

jackjones86 wrote: »

In a nutshell I was caught speeding and got a stern letter in the post. Was doing 41mph in a 30 zone on a road I've been down once or twice before but don't know particularly well. I want to explain to them that the signposts were not visible enough and were positioned awkwardly

For christ sake don't use that as a defence

"I was going fast down a road I didn't know that well and didn't see the signs" doesn't look good. If anything you should have been MORE observant and therefore not missed them.

Unless you can provide photographic evidence they're obscured by a bush or tree or similar, you're on a hiding to nowhere.

Also as a qualified driver, you would be expected to know how to tell what the speed limit was, i.e if there are no repeater signs in a built up area it is 30MPH and if there are no repeater signs in a rural area it is a NSL.

interstellaflyer

OP, what's the post code for the place you were caught?

Sgt_Pepper_2

Were there any street lights, if so its 30 unless posted otherwise.

What do you want to use as your defence?

fivetide

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Also as a qualified driver, you would be expected to know how to tell what the speed limit was, i.e if there are no repeater signs in a built up area it is 30MPH and if there are no repeater signs in a rural area it is a NSL.

Spot on. If you were nabbed at 41 too your speedo will have been reading up near 45 most probably.

As you say, morally questionable, are you looking at a ban under totting up per chance? Otherwise, the three points could be cheaper than Mr Loophole.

5t.

Quentin

If you take this to pepipoo you will get advice (not preached a sermon)!

fivetide

Quentin wrote: »

If you take this to pepipoo you will get advice (not preached a sermon)!

He's already gone - post 4. Even thanked you for it

I don't get the weird name of it either.

5t.