Caught 106mph on M25 - What to Expect
Discussion
Got a letter through the door yesterday asking to identify driver of my car which was snapped at 106mph in a 70.
Already sent it back saying it was me and I do intend to plead guilty.
I'm after advise as to what to expect and the best way to plead mitigation in court. My driving license is currently clean with no points but I am going to be honest and say that I have been convicted in the past of driving on a ban and without insurance just over 3 years ago. These are still unspent but my license currently has 0 points and all bans and points have expired.
For Those who are going to have a go at me in the comments, it was 05:44 in the morning and motorway was clear and yes I have learnt my lesson and am going to give driving a break while I concentrate on my career. I put my hands up and offer no excuses so bash me if you must...
Can I expect the normal ban and fine or will they give a heavier punishment due to my history? Can they take previous driving convictions/points/bans into account if over 3 years old? FYI this is my first speeding offence if it makes any difference.
Many Thanks
Already sent it back saying it was me and I do intend to plead guilty.
I'm after advise as to what to expect and the best way to plead mitigation in court. My driving license is currently clean with no points but I am going to be honest and say that I have been convicted in the past of driving on a ban and without insurance just over 3 years ago. These are still unspent but my license currently has 0 points and all bans and points have expired.
For Those who are going to have a go at me in the comments, it was 05:44 in the morning and motorway was clear and yes I have learnt my lesson and am going to give driving a break while I concentrate on my career. I put my hands up and offer no excuses so bash me if you must...
Can I expect the normal ban and fine or will they give a heavier punishment due to my history? Can they take previous driving convictions/points/bans into account if over 3 years old? FYI this is my first speeding offence if it makes any difference.
Many Thanks
Edited by Joeguard1990 on Wednesday 27th July 01:46
Alex said:
I wouldn't even bother turning up. Plead guilty by post. There are no mitigating circumstances, and if you don't turn up, no need to tell them about your previous.
I'd expect a 30 day ban.
I thought that if a ban was being considered you had no choice but to attend court in person? I'd expect a 30 day ban.
scubadude said:
No offence Joe but he's right- you haven't learnt.
You broke the law once and got banned (you can have no excuse for not being insured)
You have now broken the law again, doesn't matter which law but again by such a margin as to make it open/shut case, which you have admitted guilt to.
Frankly you deserve the book thrown at you. If a ban and a fine didn't work before it probably won't again, perhaps a short spell in jail, loss of your job and license will make you think twice next time?
You'll probably get off with a ban and a fine again but you deserve a much harsher sentence than the court is able to give you.
Thanks for the helpful advice. You broke the law once and got banned (you can have no excuse for not being insured)
You have now broken the law again, doesn't matter which law but again by such a margin as to make it open/shut case, which you have admitted guilt to.
Frankly you deserve the book thrown at you. If a ban and a fine didn't work before it probably won't again, perhaps a short spell in jail, loss of your job and license will make you think twice next time?
You'll probably get off with a ban and a fine again but you deserve a much harsher sentence than the court is able to give you.
AyBee said:
You've had a ban, been done for driving without insurance and are facing another ban, and all you can provide is sarcastic responses. If you approach the court with the same attitude, it's not going to go well.
Are you actually going to provide anything useful or have you filled your boots yet? bad company said:
If I'd had a ban & been done for no insurance I would be driving like Miss Daisy.
Like I said in first post, those are no longer on my license. They expire after 3 years. The only place they will show is on a conviction check as they would count as unspent as I believe it's after 5 years they are removed from your CR but I may be wrong. Joeguard1990 said:
bad company said:
If I'd had a ban & been done for no insurance I would be driving like Miss Daisy.
Like I said in first post, those are no longer on my license. They expire after 3 years. The only place they will show is on a conviction check as they would count as unspent as I believe it's after 5 years they are removed from your CR but I may be wrong. I'm not an expert hence why I posted on here for some advice 
James Junior said:
Sorry to hear of your situation OP. A stark reminder to all that whilst modern cars may easily and safely carry speed well into three figures, it is just never worth doing so in the UK; empty roads or not.
I got my first speeding offence last year and a pretty serious one. I was snapped doing 81mph in a 50mph. Situation was very different - a long straight section of Snake Pass in the Derbyshire countryside that was deserted at the time. Well except for the speed camera van. A stupid mistake on my behalf. The excess speed involved was a similar factor to yours however.
I prepared my own case and represented myself as I thought turning up with a solicitor might make me look like I was trying to wriggle off the hook. I put a detailed dossier of supporting evidence, including proof of substantial no claims on both my cars, my clean license, a weather report from the day of the offence supporting my claim that it was dry and some client testimonials (I had these before the offence anyway) that commented on my integrity and responsible nature (these weren't contrived - I already had them). I also bought evidence of the income I stated on the statement of means and offered to complete a new one as my income had increased between me filling in the original one and the court date.
I wrote a deferential testimony, pointing out the alleviating factors but accepting full responsibility for my actions. I arrived at court early and suited and booted and when I entered the courtroom was respectful and apologetic. I started to read my witness statement but the judge cut across me almost immediately and gave me a serious dressing down, telling me he knew the stretch of road well, but that he wasn't going to ban me. I got a fine and 5 points, which I though was more than fair under the circumstances.
Most of the people turning up to court were right scrotters, hardly anyone in a suit and many being either beligerant to the courtroom staff or pretending they didn't speak English! Don't underestimate the importance of dressing smartly for your day in court and showing proper respect.
I hope the above is of at least some use.
I posted on here and got the some good advice along with the inevitable hardliners suggesting I be burned at the stake...
I genuinely did learn from the experience and it has made me much more aware of speed limits. Previousy I always stuck to them in urban areas but was a bit liberal out on empty country roads. I now stick to any stated limits religously, even if it is on empty roads.
I hope you can learn from the experience too and turn this into a positive.
This is a great response, thanks for taking the time to replyI got my first speeding offence last year and a pretty serious one. I was snapped doing 81mph in a 50mph. Situation was very different - a long straight section of Snake Pass in the Derbyshire countryside that was deserted at the time. Well except for the speed camera van. A stupid mistake on my behalf. The excess speed involved was a similar factor to yours however.
I prepared my own case and represented myself as I thought turning up with a solicitor might make me look like I was trying to wriggle off the hook. I put a detailed dossier of supporting evidence, including proof of substantial no claims on both my cars, my clean license, a weather report from the day of the offence supporting my claim that it was dry and some client testimonials (I had these before the offence anyway) that commented on my integrity and responsible nature (these weren't contrived - I already had them). I also bought evidence of the income I stated on the statement of means and offered to complete a new one as my income had increased between me filling in the original one and the court date.
I wrote a deferential testimony, pointing out the alleviating factors but accepting full responsibility for my actions. I arrived at court early and suited and booted and when I entered the courtroom was respectful and apologetic. I started to read my witness statement but the judge cut across me almost immediately and gave me a serious dressing down, telling me he knew the stretch of road well, but that he wasn't going to ban me. I got a fine and 5 points, which I though was more than fair under the circumstances.
Most of the people turning up to court were right scrotters, hardly anyone in a suit and many being either beligerant to the courtroom staff or pretending they didn't speak English! Don't underestimate the importance of dressing smartly for your day in court and showing proper respect.
I hope the above is of at least some use.
I posted on here and got the some good advice along with the inevitable hardliners suggesting I be burned at the stake...
I genuinely did learn from the experience and it has made me much more aware of speed limits. Previousy I always stuck to them in urban areas but was a bit liberal out on empty country roads. I now stick to any stated limits religously, even if it is on empty roads.
I hope you can learn from the experience too and turn this into a positive.
Edited by James Junior on Thursday 28th July 13:44
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