Speeding fine confusion

Daz5135

Today I had a letter issuing a speeding fine for doing 33 on the M1 in a 30 zone. Basically a vehicle was stranded, so the lane was closed. I moved into the next lane at 30 mph and passed the stranded vehicle safely. Once passed I got back into the correct lane and sped up to 33mph before exiting at the next junction, this was when I was flashed along with several other motorist’s. Does this sound correct as I’m confused why I have been fined for speeding once I passed the stranded vehicle and the lane was once again open to traffic 

QrizB

Was the lane still restricted to 30mph?

LightFlare

Are you sure thats what it says ?

More likely you were in a lane closed with a big red X

Getting a ticket for 33 in a 30 is virtually unheard of and if true, then the folks at PePiPoo would be very interested indeed

tacpot12

Interesting question. I think you will find that the posted speed limit (30mph in your case) applies to all lanes (even closed lanes) until the national speed limit sign is shown.

It is somewhat confusing that the speed limit is shown above each lane as this might imply that the speed limit can be different for different lanes, but I don't think this is what the relevant traffic regulations say - I'm guessing here, but I think you will find that it applies to all lanes, and applies until the national speed limit is shown.

As the measured speed is so close to the limit, you could ask for evidence that the speed camera was properly calibrated at the time of the offence. The cameras should be calibrated annually (see SH V3 (publishing.service.gov.uk) -  you may get lucky and find you were photographed by one that hadn't been calibrated recently enough. Problem is that the prosecuting authority might be economical with the truth about how when the cameras was last calibrated if they realise that someone has not been doing their job properly. However, the risk of this is very small as if they were found out, a mistake becomes a cover-up and heads will roll.

Head over to the PePiPoo forum for more advice. 

forgotmyname

Calibrated lorry speedo, driver got a ticket for 52mph in a goods vehicle, tacho clearly showed the vehicle was at 56mph
at that point and the driver remembered being flat out at 56mph also.

So 33 on a ticket was likely 36/37mph not just 3mph over, they appear to allow a margin of error before sending tickets out.

Petriix

It's almost certainly the case that the ticket is for driving in a closed lane and the speed is incidental. I've seen an example of this before which claimed to be the elusive speeding ticket for lower than the 10% +2 mph guidance. For some reason they like to include the speed as well. In any case, please upload the correspondence (with personal information redacted) for all of our benefit. If it really is a speeding ticket for 33 in a 30 then it would be the first credible example ever seen. 

nyermen

I'd start by not thinking of it as a speeding "fine" btw, it's a motoring offense with penalties that includes a potential financial penalty.  I don't say this to be picky, but that I don't belive police & court look well on that view (similar to referring to the right lane as the "fast lane", they hate that).

As I understand, you will have had a process something like:
1) First received a letter as registered keeper, saying investigating driving offense with date/time/place - please indicate who was driving at the time of the suspected offense.  If its you, there is a bit to say "yes it was me" which is a formal declaration.
2) Then get contact about what has happened, along with evidence to view (this is how surrey police work I believe - It could be that if the driver is the keeper, you can do this second stage immediately?).  They may provide camera evidence along with information such as last calibration etc 
3) You then may get a choice of options:
- To attend an awareness course (There are three types) if minor offense, and no other incident in last x years;
- Agree to accept penalty (fine, points, etc)
- Challenge in court

OP - I'm unclear which stage you are at (assuming this is what is happening).  Agree that 33 in a 30, even on a motorway restriction, would be very harsh.   If you're at stage (2), this will indicate what really is the offense (such as driving in a red X lane).  If offered an awareness course, there is a difference between speeding awareness course and "motorway awareness course", the motorway awareness course includes closed lanes, and temporary speed limits I believe. (Ps: for completeness, the third type of course is the more serious "dangerous driving course", i'm not sure if its an option for choice or is only court ordered)

It can seem harsh - with motorway gantry controls, if a lane is closed with a red X you must not re-enter it even if you have passed the perceived reason for the X, until a further sign says its okay to use the lane again.  (After all there could be a further incident, or emergency service activity in the lane ahead).

daveyjp

What is the offence stated on the ticket?