Safe Speed Forums

I was recently 'zapped' by a static camera doing an alleged 36 in a 30 Zone. However, It was dark and 0645 in the morning and the roads were wet. The driver in front of me obviously spotted the camera too late and hit their brakes hard and went into a skid. I had a car right behind me and thus didn't want to hit my brakes but the the left lane was clear and so I moved into it safely and accelerated past the hazard. (I knew the camera was there but went into crash prevention mode.)

Question: is it best to plead not guilty and then go explain to the court or fill out the summons and add in the mitigation? Thankx.

Pleading mitigation will at best get you the same as the fixed penalty.

OTOH you could try fighting it.

If you were speeding to avoid a crash then that can be a valid defence in law. (I'm not sure that you were from your description.)

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

But without an experienced lawyer you won't stand a chance with it. My second conviction was where I accelerated to avoid an aggressive driver coming up behind me at 90 in a (very safe, no junctions, dead straight DC) 60 - I was doing 60 and had to speed up to get around a car in L1 that had sped up to prevent me pulling in. The problem was both vehicles were unmarked traffic police who were operating the very hidden trap, and no sooner had I gone through it than the gave each other a thumbs up and the faster car pulled in behind the slow one. To paraphrase the judge: "Yes we understand that it was the only safe option, however you were speeding, so we have to fine you, although we will only fine you the minimum amount based on your earnings".

That's absolutely disgusting!

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

I know, but I cannot prove anything. It is why I am here.

Seen some of your other posts re police ---had to be a reason - can sympathise -


Perhaps this true story might just help --

One night many moons ago , trucker was heading up through country lanes , with a car behind, so he sped up a little as car could not pass him. On came the blue light, SPEEDING TICKET ISSUED.
Next week , same spot - car behind, trucker spots lights on roof , lets car get too close for comfort --- ooh dear - was that a rabbit in front - air brakes stop truck dead - not so cop car -
Trucker gets out , and says to cop in driving seat "better get your boss out here - you were driving toooooo close to me".