Safe Speed Forums

I've just been caught doing 97mph on a 60mph road. Road conditions were good and traffic was light. Was stopped by the patrol car sat at the top of the ehill, out of view

What endorsement am I likely to receive?

Already got 3 points from July 2001 and another 3 from March 2002. Does this mean the 3 from 2001 no longer "tott" up?

Hi,

Welcome Missadventure. (nice name!)

This "+37mph" isn't good news. Courts are frequently handing out bans for such speeds for a single offence. Even if they didn't ban you for that (fairly unlikely), they could still award 6 points for the new alledged offence, and we don't yet know if you had 3 or 6 points at the time of the offence. If it was six, then that's another way you face a ban. 12 points accumulated in 3 years usually result in a six month ban.

First thing you need to check is the date of offence in 2001. Was it more than three years before the recent one or not? We can't tell from the info provided.

Then you need to decide if you're going to try and fight it. I take it you were stopped at the time by Police? If so any doubts about the identity of the driver at the time will probably not form any part of your defence. It's possible they failed to follow some important procedure and that the case would fail on such a basis. It's possible that if you plead not guilty that by the time it coes to court the police officer at the time may not be available to act as a witness (- he might have left the force, for example).

However, by far the largest chance is that any defence you might put up will fail and you'll be found guilty. At this point you have two options to try to keep your licence. One is mitigating circumstances, and another is exceptional hardship.

I think you're going to need a solicitor.

You should also visit http://www.pepipoo.com where you will find all manner of skilled folk trying to fight speeding tickets.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

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

Don't think this'll perk you up much. I was sentanced last week for driving at 110mph on a duel carriageway.

It was fast I know, but it was a straight mile in a non residential area at 2 am with not a single other car in sight. Consequently no danger to any other person and the chance of me losing control f* all.

New car, stops in less than 1/2 the highway code distance.

It's the only time i've driven anywhere like that fast, and sods law there's a camera in a bush.

I am 26 with nearly 9 years experience and 0 points ever. I pleaded guilty.

I got a 2 month ban, £200 fine and costs against me.

Guess you could expect about the same, but Essex magistrates are very harsh.

Some good news

I did a BikeSafe course for a guy recently who had been banned for 3 months for 114 mph.

The good news is when he shopped arround, it didn't make any difference to his insurance. Although at 26 you may not be as lucky.

it is worth noting that at 130 in a 70 most people are now getting jail terms.

Only if convicted of dangerous driving, though. You can't be jailed for speeding as such.

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Unless you are Jack Straw's driver, then you are allowed to exceed 100mph on the grounds that your passenger is important enough to warrant it.

Sorry but there was thios high profile case

http://www.gsb.co.uk/menandmotors/comme ... subject=64

Yes, and given the penalties they received they were undoubtedly convicted of dangerous driving. The maximum penalty for speeding is 6 penalty points, a fine of £1000 (£2500 if on the motorway) and discretionary disqualification.

Whether they deserved to be convicted of dangerous driving is maybe questionable, but you can't be imprisoned if convicted of either speeding or careless driving.

See:

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/28.shtml#5

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed