Got a police letter thro the other day - a mobile camera got me doing 82 in a 50 zone (dual carriageway coming out of Bath towards M4).

Nothing in my defence - I was going too fast. What can I expect to happen next? Court appearance? Points? Fine?

 

all of the above. 30mph over the speed limit is the threshold for a ban, unless you can argue the " I need to drive or I'll lose my job" reason, in which case it may just be a big fine and lots of points.

 

Court invitation for sure. You do have a case to plead, at least you better think of one, or you are likely to get a ban and large fine. A letter from work stating you lose your job if you lose your license is helpful as well as appearing very appologetic - no back chat, eat humble pie. You will be given the chance to plead mittigating circumstances by post, make this very good and you might get away without a court appearance - I did! Good luck, and don't let the next few weeks worry you too much whilst you wait to hear. It's not like you killed anyone, although they will try and make you feel like you did!

Dan

 

Nowucme.

It will be a close thing for sure. If you could manage it I would attend the court smartly dressed and plead all those things that were mentioned. Might be worth it when you think of all the difficulties that come with a ban, insurance etc. Above all don't forget to say you are sorry for the oversight and that it won't happen again.

Dan4, if you are able to email me I have a message I would like to give you.

Les

 

banned only joking

 

I'd accept a ban if I were you. Two week ban (depending on your circumstances) is better than getting 6 points on your licence.

If you get the points, then all you need is another 6 points and you get 6 month automatic ban, which is far worse than 2 weeks now.

I guess it depends on whether you think you'll get any more points in the next three years or not.

IanF

 

Sounds like I'm at the mercy of the judge on the day then.

Really need the car for work though so that may help.

I shall be grovelling for sure - it has been a reality check.

Dan4 - do you want to expand on your mitigating cicumstances (off line if you wish)?

 

Nowucme - was it the A46 going up the big long hill away from Bath? Just worried 'cos I went up there the other day 'slightly' over the limit. Noticed an obvious yellow Gatso on other carriageway (which I slowed for), and also those small overhead ones (which I didn't) - but I'm not sure if they are speeding cameras or not???

 

It was that road.

The Gatso on the other side will never get you and those small overhead ones I think are just cctv for monitoring traffic etc.

I was got by a policeman and his 'gun'.

 

£60 and 3 points

 

rb5 - if that's true I will be a very relieved man....what are you basing it on??

 

I thought the Police weren't supposed to trap roads with permanent cameras already?

No excuse to be had but it shows that the static cam doesn't work very well at slowing traffic, if the Police have to mobile it as well.

F

 

Good Luck mate !!

Got me a brief + paid the fine around 500 + 1 week ban as apposed to points for >35 over on motorway (M1) - never used it since!

Just ensure you turn up in court otherwise they can take it as a slap in the face - get the company you work for to create the usual letter (can't do job without car!)

 

I heard a story about someone being let off, after he told the police he had eaten a dodgy curry and was desperate for the loo. What have you got to lose.
Also request all documentation, Maintenance and calabration certificates etc.
You could always pay someone to take the points if you pay the fine?

Good Luck

 

Nowucme - YHM

 

If you have legal cover with your insurance it may cover for Solicitors costs - mine did which saved me about £400. If you need the car for the job get a letter from your employers to this effect. I was caught a couple of years ago - 98 in a 60 - 6 points £555 fine but no ban (clean license at the time)

 

Wasn't your Australian cousin driving, who has now gone home?

 

@ Ian E

was the judge a bit of a scoob fan?

sorry I've got nothing constructive to add

[Edited by Dizzy - 4/7/2003 2:58:50 PM]

 

Send the NIP back confirming you where driving but DO NOT sign it.

Turn up in court to have the NIP thrown out due to it not being admissible as evidence!

Recent case used this tactic - see speed trap bible site.......

 

my mate got caught A46 out of Bath, probably same place coming up the hill as you go round the bend..
89 in 50, 3 month ban, he appealed, ban got reduced to 14 days of which he had already served 10 and £200 and this was over the xmas period when he really didnt want to drive anyway.
So if you get stuffed it is worth appealing.

 

Dizzy,

I was on the motorbike at the time - the vehicle which nicked me was (you guessed it) a Scoob...

Cheers,

Ian.

 

No snoopers? Anyone tried one?

Chris

 

96 in a 60 - 6 points + 330 quid. Pleaded guilty + turned up for sentencing. Needed car for work :-)

Now have S5 Snooper, Road Angel and SLD220 laser diffusers - and no more points.

Baz

 

IanF,

Nice idea, however, you only have to declare the points for 3 years to your insurance company. Whereas, if my memory serves me correctly, you have to declare disqualifications for 10 years.

I hear you say, "Well, the insurance company doesn't need to know" Fair point, BUT, if you do have a claim and they inspect your driving licence, the disqualification marker will scream at them, and therefore probably make your insurance nul & void.

Sorry for the doom and gloom post.

Ed

 

Just been looking on the DVLA website.

It seems that for any speeding offence the max points you can get is 6. It didn't mention anything about rules around when you may or may not get disqualified and how much of a fine you'll get.

Also says that points stay on licence for 4 years from date of offence (or date of conviction for some offences)

 

[Edited by bros2 - 7/3/2003 10:45:48 AM]