General: Oh bugger - caught speeding - help!!!

[volvo always]

I was caught doing 56kph in a 50kph zone overtaking a tractor in a small townTurned back too see what flashed me. Blacked out Peugeot estate with little square in boot. (camera) I lost one point and was fined 90 euros. If it had of been in the country the fine would of been halved if I paid early

I learnt my lesson

James

[ruffday]

Never mind mate we all do it.
Ive had more than most due to driving for a living.
But just take it on the chin mate.

[V70Driver]

I would think if you received a notice of intended prosecution as opposed to the standard notice of fixed penalty, its because they want more blood from you than you think.
The 20, 30mph zones and built up areas are where they seem to hit hardest.

Was in England earlier this week and hired a car to go and see friends in Worcester. I travelled up M40, A40 and then A44 to Evesham. This was a lovely long country road with long straights and villages etc, but all of it restricted to 50mph. So much for urban clearway national speed limit applies. The journey was made worse by farm vehicles going well below 50mph which resulted in numerous drivers going well over 50mph. Not knowing the road and where camera's could be hiden as well as signs saying roving unmarked police vehicles, I stayed where I was.
Reidiculous speed limits for that sort of road, causes frustration as was clearly witnessed.
Hope the Hamshire Constabulary don't empty your bank account too much. Points will be a cert, how many have you go at the moment?
V70Driver

[docjd]

Thats excessive speed for a 30 zone-with all the inherent dangers associated with it-take the punishment

[SonyVaio]

Originally Posted by V70Driver

I would think if you received a notice of intended prosecution as opposed to the standard notice of fixed penalty, its because they want more blood from you than you think.
The 20, 30mph zones and built up areas are where they seem to hit hardest.

You will always recieve a NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) if caught by either a fixed camera (Gatso, SPECS, DS2, DS3, TRUVELO, SpeedCurb and if you live in Cornwall even a SpeedSpike) or a safety partnership camera van.

The NIP is sent to the registered keeper (RK), this could be you, your work (if a works vehicle), a hire or lease company or even the previous owner if the paperwork hasn't been done properly! This NIP will have the details of the alleged offence and a section that has to be filled in naming the DRIVER of the vehicle at the alleged time/date/location. The NIP is then returned and if the RK is not the DRIVER then a new NIP will be sent out in the DRIVERS name.

It is only when the DRIVER has sent back the completed (SIGNED) NIP that you will find out what is in store, this could be a speed awareness course, a fixed penalty or a trip to Court.

In England if you (as the driver) do not sign the NIP when it's returned you will be taken to court for other offences as well as speeding. Those north of the border in Scotland can actually get away with speeding altogether by filling in the BUT NOT signing the NIP and sending it back. The BiB will probably make frequent visits to your known addresses looking for you though (6months to be able to get hold of you before your Scot Free (pun intended - LoL...)

[Daim]

I feel sorry for you lot!

Here in "speed nation" fines are mild...

<20 km/h faster than allowed (inside a village): no points and only a €35 fine.
>21 km/h faster than allowed (inside a village): 1-4 points and €80-400 fine.

<20 km/h faster than allowed (outside a village): no points and only a €30 fine.
>21 km/h faster than allowed (outside a village): 1-4 points and €80-800 fine.

All of course with tolerance figure of something like 6 km/h (so if you were going instead of 30 say 40 km/h, 6 km/h are removed. 4 km/h isn't worth going after cash).

I tried to get caught in a speeding trap in England as I was last over there... Nothing! In a 30 limit I was going (in mph) around 40-45 - no flash. Nothing

[Andy Northface]

Speeding in built up areas is wrong,we all know it. I was caught about 10 year ago doing 34 in a 30 and the previous week on a stretch of dual carriageway 46 in a 40mph signed stretch.I was in the wrong and I do tend to stick to the 30 or 20 mph in a built up area,However I wish the police would chase the scumbags who terrorise my estate with the same ferocity that they chase motorists.

[JimG]

Originally Posted by SonyVaio

Get yourself across to this site - LINKY

Have a good look around and read all you can, do the NIP Wizard and create a post. These guys are absolutely brilliant with the help and advice they give.

I don't normally get involved in these threads, but having read some of the information on this website I feel that I should warn people that it's mostly a load of rubbish. We sometimes get people sat in the car who think they have ways to try and outwit us, panic us or pick holes in the law. Trying to come up with "clever" statements does not alter the outcome; save to ensure you get an FPN/summons when you may have just got a warning. Other advice on the site includes not producing you driving licence at the roadside. Failing to produce your driving licence at the roadside is an offence! You have to produce it, you don't have to surrender it at the roadside. Asking to read PACE codes of conduct at the roadside does not cause us to panic and sweat. We won't have to call the station and get another officer to come out with a copy. We won't be fooled into thinking we have someone who knows what they are talking about in the back of the car either. It will confirm we have a clueless idiot in the back of the car.

Advice like the above urban myth. It's up there with sucking on a 2p coin before doing a breath test, as well as, police only being able to arrest people if they have another officer with them and that they are wearing their hats. It's all rubbish.

My advice is: Be polite, respectful, follow instructions given to you and listen to what is being said. If you feel that you have been unfairly treated make a note of the officers badge number and make a complaint. If you think you are not guilty of the offence you are being prosecuted for then elect a court hearing and get a solicitor. They are the best people to identify legal/procedural errors.

[stephend]

Originally Posted by JimG

Other advice on the site includes not producing you driving licence at the roadside. Failing to produce your driving licence at the roadside is an offence! You have to produce it, you don't have to surrender it at the roadside.

I'm slightly puzzled by this, JimG: I didn't think it was a legal requirement in the UK to carry one's licence at all times? I usually carry mine on long journeys, but not otherwise...

[stevo48]

Originally Posted by JimG

Failing to produce your driving licence at the roadside is an offence! You have to produce it, you don't have to surrender it at the roadside.
My advice is: Be polite, respectful, follow instructions given to you and listen to what is being said. If you feel that you have been unfairly treated make a note of the officers badge number and make a complaint. If you think you are not guilty of the offence you are being prosecuted for then elect a court hearing and get a solicitor. They are the best people to identify legal/procedural errors.

I have yet to hear of anyone HAVING to produce at the side of the road, it has always been my understanding that here in the uk we do not HAVE to carry our driving licence.
In addition to the above, with the technology fitted in police cars today I would have thought you would already know the name of the vehicle keeper and whether or not they hold a licence & insurance/mot before you stop the car, or is the urban myth as well?