Caught speeding - first offence

Aretnap

Speed awareness courses are generally offered at speeds of up to 10%+9mph over the limit - ie up to 86mph on a motorway. Your speed was higher than that which is why you weren't offered one. If you're caught again you'll be eligible for one, so long as your speed is lower than the threshold.

AdrianC

premiumz wrote: »

I know I was speeding.

sped up...
slowed down to the speed limit again

They showed me the footage the recorded of me doing it

The average speed I was going during that time was 90mph

Is there anyway I can fight this?
They said I could take it to court as the alternative option but if I lose I would have to pay all the fees etc...

Again, I admit I was speeding

Anyone know if I can challenge this successfully or am I just going to have to chalk it up and have the 3 points?

* You haven't been offered a speed awareness course, so that's not an option.
* You can admit you did it, and accept the three points/£100.
* You can deny having done it, take it to court, and formally plead not guilty. The prosecution will produce the evidence that shows you exceeded the speed limit. You present your defence. The magistrate decides if you exceeded the speed limit or not. If he decides you did, then you will get a larger fine, costs and possibly more points.

So... what evidence can you present in court to show that you didn't do it? Clue: "Well, yes, I did do it, but not for very long" is not exactly the most compelling defence case they'll have heard...

Take the fixed penalty.

Spicy_McHaggis

premiumz wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the replies.

I was asking because I have not been in this situation before and didn't want to take the 3 points so quickly just incase there was a way of fighting the case on the grounds it is my first offence and therefore possibly giving me the option to pay the fine and watch one of their speed awareness videos.

It's ok, I know I was in the wrong, I just didn't want to later stumble across something online where people are saying if it is your first offence they could possibly offer me an alternative to the 3 points.

Also to the person who said That I might have the distance that they recorded me at wrong, I am confident that I am correct on that one as they made me watch the whole footage with the distance on it.

Thanks anyway guys. First offence so just wasn't sure how it all worked. I am a bit of a worry guts but as many said the 3 points will be ok as long as I don't get anymore!

Many thanks

Your only hope would be is !!!! up with the paperwork, such as the nip not being served within 14 days or the lasers calibration being out of date. Of corse you'd need to go not guilty to get the calibration certificate.

AdrianC

Spicy_McHaggis wrote: »

Your only hope would be is !!!! up with the paperwork, such as the nip not being served within 14 days

No NIP needed, since he was stopped and served with the paperwork at the time.

Spicy_McHaggis

AdrianC wrote: »

No NIP needed, since he was stopped and served with the paperwork at the time.

Yes, correct my head was in the 'I didn't see the camera van' mode. Speeding still needs a nip wether you're stopped at the time or not and as far as I know being told a likely outcome ie three points and a fine isn't a nip.
He made no mention of being served with the paperwork at the time or have I missed that?

TonyMMM

The "NIP" in this case would be issued verbally e.g. " You may be prosecuted for ....."

And no laser involved as it was a straightforward time/distance calculation, so no calibration to check anyway.

EssexExile

AdrianC wrote: »

* You can deny having done it, take it to court, and formally plead guilty.

:question:

AdrianC

EssexExile wrote: »

:question:

<coughs, looks innocent>
The missing not has been found, chastised, and returned to its rightful location...

Spicy_McHaggis

TonyMMM wrote: »

The "NIP" in this case would be issued verbally e.g. " You may be prosecuted for ....."

And no laser involved as it was a straightforward time/distance calculation, so no calibration to check anyway.

Should have been issued.

The time/distance calculations are done by computer and do need calibration. As does the measuread mile or half mile they are calibrated against.

Also depending on the way the device was used there maybe an additional calibration required.

But as the OP admits the offence best he just takes his medicine.

Iceweasel

I seem to have missed something here.

What speed were the cars that he was 'stuck behind' doing?

I often find I'm stuck behind vehicles doing around 67mph or so.

I could do what the OP did and risk my licence and a fine -but I normally just stick to a legal 70mph and slowly - very slowly - overtake them. Immediately I am clear of them I then move to whichever of the lanes on the left is available and appropriate as per the HC.

It might take quite a while - and I have been criticized in the past for 'hogging' the so-called 'fast lane'.

Some even suggested that I should slow down and join the end of the middle lane queue and keep lane 3 free for those who wish to travel at a higher than legal speed.

But in my opinion I am entitled to travel at the legal maximum and if others wish to exceed it they need to have the patience to wait for me to complete my legal manoeuvre.

It's no fault of mine that the laws regarding the maximum speed are out of step with what many people would wish.

I was sad to notice a few months back that the Government had ditched plans to raise the UK motorway speed limit to 80mph - amid safety concerns and fears it would alienate women voters.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the plan was 'not a priority'.

So there we have it - every driver has to decide for themselves whether to break the law - or not.

When outside the UK I obey the maximum speed rules (where they exist) of whatever country I happen to be passing through.

Where road and weather conditions permit I often find speeds of 130mph or above are appropriate.

But the OP has admitted to speeding above the threshold for an awareness course so I reckon he just needs to take it on the chin, and be more careful (and slower) in the future.

We can, or should be, able to spot a police traffic car a mile off - but there are are ever increasing number of unmarked ones.