Current speeding punishments....

[MisterTommyH]

A friend of mine (and it really is a friend) was pulled over today for doing 95mph (what they got him at, not indicated) in a car, on a motorway - and was charged (not sure if that meant a trip to the nick or not).

Can anyone give some guidance on the current guidance on what might happen next / what they might give him?

Currently clean license, but has had SP30s in the past.

I was under the impression that the limit 'magic number' was 100, but can't categorically state that. Also is the defence of 'this might cost me my job, which would be a dis-proportionate punishment' valid?

And once again.... no it's not me. I haven't been pulled since I used to deliver Pizzas at 'slightly' above the speed limit when I was a teenager.

Thanks for your help.

I thought the cut off point for not going to court was 93?

Maximum penalty for speeding on a Motorway is £2,500.

He can expect anywhere between 3-6 points, it could be also to receive an instant ban as well as the points, which will probably be up to a month, although can be more.

As he has a clean license he might get away with it, although I'd be thinking of what to say if it gets to court, and be very apologetic to the person hearing the case!

Now, my understanding was, that the 'magic number' for a prosecution was 96mph. So he may have just got away with that, and it may end up being 3 points and a £60 fine, although if that was the case I don't understand why a fixed penalty wasn't issued.

It may be worth speaking to a specialist in the area and getting their opinion before doing anything else!

[MisterTommyH]

I'm guessing if he's been charged straight off then it's definitely a trip to the magistrates, but was more thinking of losing the license....

Pretty sure that he'd take his medicine as far as fine or full house of points.... but the license could be a life changer. Haven't heard of anything custodial for that recently... and knowing where it was it's very quiet and the average speed of all traffic is up near 90 so wouldn't think they'd be chucking in a 'dangerous' charge.... But I've not got anymore details.

I may be corrected, but I don't think there is a cutoff speed regarding going to court. 95 on a clear road is going to get you in less trouble than dangerous driving (weaving in and out of heavy traffic for example) at only 80.

What DJ said, the guidance (and that's all it is) is 96mph for a prosecution, but that's not to say they won't prosecute at lower, e.g. 90mph in the wet through a hazardous stretch of road or on bends.

I'd be thinking about:

1. Time of day
2. How busy the road was
3. Why he was speeding (and making up excuses may not be the best option!)


I'm pretty sure you can be banned if you go to court at ANY speed, e.g. 35mph in a 30, you can be banned for. The bans can run from 7 days up to 120 days, although are generally rare unless there is a good reason for it. This is the sort of thing that can be argued.

Big bans are generally reserved for more dangerous behaviour.

[Red Herring]

A lot of forces have now taken the decision regarding disposal (how the defendant is dealt with) away from the officers on the street and now require them to complete a TOR (Traffic Offence Report) in all cases. This report is then sent to the process department (Ticket office) who will then decide on the best way forward based on the facts, current policy, which courses are on special offer this week and the state of their budget (you can see I'm a fan).

Their are guidelines issues by ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) and the relevant one here is that over 96 should result in a summons to court, below that and they have the option to offer a conditional fixed penalty.

In short, unless there are some serious aggravating factors, your mate should get an offer of a ticket through the post.

[PyroUK]

Just a point, you can get points and fine or ban and fine not points and ban.

If he gets a summons tell him to get to court nice and early so he can be seen earlier (potentially less ****y magistrates) and wear a suit. It's a first come first served job and you don't really want to be waiting around all day.

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by PyroUK

...
If he gets a summons tell him to get to court nice and early so he can be seen earlier (potentially less ****y magistrates) and wear a suit. It's a first come first served job and you don't really want to be waiting around all day.

Now that sounds like a man with plenty of experience....

[PyroUK]

Yup! Well not plenty, but enough!

30th December last year. Was ****ting myself haha

100mph on a dual carriage way, thought for sure I was gonna lose the licence