Speeding Ticket on A43 - driving Light Van (Mercedes Vito)

6liuxa

Hi Guys, 

I have one of my acquaintances (passed UK license within last 2 years) contacted me today as he received a ticket for driving Mercedes Vito Van (LGV) on A43 (Silverstone bypass) he was driving 69. 

On a letter states: Speed Limit 60mph

On police website with all of the evidence: Allowed speed mentioned as 70. 

Allegation:  5/18/20/30/40/50/60 mph limit for a goods vehicle - manned equipment 

LGV (light goods vehicle) as this Vito is on the V5 is allowed to do 70mph on the motorway

Main questions:

1. What type of road is A43 ?
2. What to expect? 

3. Any tips for defending? 

4. What to do?

I am asking as I occassionally drive Van myself when I rent it, and never came across this restrictions. I just go with the flow when it's safe. Whan I fully loaded - I drive slower naturally, to protect the load. 

I am not trying to play stupid and play Idid not know game here. Genuine question.

la531983

The A43 wont be a motorway, the National Speed Limit for the vehicle type for a dual carriageway would apply surely? 

la531983

In this case you are bang out of luck

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/vans/99605/uk-van-speed-limits-all-you-need-to-know

"Not knowing the law" is not a defence, get the ticket settled.

Jaybee_16

The A43 is a dual carriageway, not a motorway. Google maps shows the national speed limit sign therefore the speed limit for light goods vehicles under 7.5 tonnes is 60mph.

Not sure what you're going to defend.

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

Mildly_Miffed

The A43 is not a motorway. It would be the A43(M) if motorway rules applied.

For the normal limit to be 70, it must be a dual carriageway - and the speed limit for a Vito van is 60 on dual carriageways.

It's not a "car-derived van".
It's not a "dual-purpose vehicle".
Even if it was, it's not under 2t GVW.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/car-derived-vans-and-dual-purpose-vehicles

You are expected to be familiar with all laws that apply to the vehicle you're driving, especially speed limits.

The Highway Code is not just for passing your driving test. Even if it was, your "acquaintance" only passed in the last two years - surely they remember what it said...?

What to do?
Take the course or FPN if offered.
If it takes them to six points, they're a silly billy and they're back on L plates.

daveyjp

There's many a white van trades driver received similar tickets for doing 70mph on the A64 between Leeds and York.  I know quite a few of them!

Keep_pedalling

Unfortunate I got caught out on this 14 years ago, doing 60 on a single carriageway A road, I even saw the camera van way back but not used to driving vans I thought I was within the limit did not slow down. Half the drivers working for the company were in the same position of ignorance I was in, and all the vans then had stickers placed in the cabs warning drivers about the limits applying to the vans.

Afraid like me your friend will have to accept the punishment, hopefully they don’t already have 3 points. 

Alanp

I got caught doing 68 in a van a few years ago, took the course, and yet, if the van has side windows I’d have been within the limit…!!

Rover_Driver

Alanp said:

I got caught doing 68 in a van a few years ago, took the course, and yet, if the van has side windows I’d have been within the limit…!!

Only if it also complied with rest of the the definitions of a 'Dual Purpose Vehicle'  in  s.3, The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. 

6liuxa

Thanks guys for your input .

Greatly appreciate quick & reasonable response. Guy just did as suggested after seeing how clearly his photos where, as he was considering to put his brother, who would have no affect on his work as he doesn't drive...

Sad story for those who tries.

I researched into GOV UK on the speeds!!!  and most things could have been ticked as being found form GOV site, however I could not found a link where easily check if VAN is dual purpose or not, by Reg Number.

Niche for website is open or was not easy to find

No website shows speed limits by vehicle reg (linked to dvla) or Make model...

Continuous improvement idea for GOV's. 

As it is easy to find :

1. Road TAX rate
2. ULEZ or CAZ
3. MOT date and history
4. Some sites even give info on when the last v5 was issued (changed)
5. Details on specs and vehicle original colour
6. AskMID is able to provide info on Insurance status and in the event of an accident Insurer Details.
7. Can buy HPI  or service history.
8. V5 Explanatory (however not available for people who rent cars)

Speed limitation for the vehicle could also be included as being useful for border crossers, new drivers and new car buyers.

TooManyPoints

Guy just did as suggested after seeing how clearly his photos where, as he was considering to put his brother, who would have no affect on his work as he doesn't drive...

He should note for future reference that naming somebody who he knows was not driving is "Perverting the course of justice." It always, always ends in jail time. Here's a couple of examples:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-21737627

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-47040912