M4 Newport Average cameras

[bananarob]

I was recently returned from Caerphilly east bound on a Saturday night unaware of any issues. I received a NIP advising I had been doing 69 in a 40 requesting me to name the driver.

Today I have received a means form asking how I plead, mitigating circumstances and income/outgoings.

Any advice on best way to respond. I don’t particularly want to attend court but what’s the likely fine, points as a result of a guilty plea and can mitigating circumstances such as type of road have any significance.

Obviously I realise I have to hold my hands up but anyone had similar on a motorway. I understand post event these cameras between Junc 28-24 are variable dependant in traffic levels. Given it was 8.30pm the road was fairly quiet, I thought I was sticking to the speed limit. I currently have a clean licence.

Thanks for any pointers.

[SS2.]

bananarob said:

Any advice on best way to respond. I don’t particularly want to attend court but what’s the likely fine, points as a result of a guilty plea and can mitigating circumstances such as type of road have any significance.

If the court is considering a ban, then you'd likely be required to attend for sentencing.

The suggested penalty upon conviction for 69mph in a 40mph limit is 6 points or a ban of 7-56 days plus a fine of 125% to 175% of your relevant weekly income. Court costs and victim surcharge would be imposed in addition.

An early guilty plea would qualify for a reduction of up to 1/3 from the fine.

[Dick Dastardly]

Coincidentally enough, I was in Newport Magistrates Court yesterday for a speeding charge on that same part of the motorway and in an Aston (assuming you were in yours?). PM me if you want to chat about it and how it turned out for me.

[pits]

They're not average, there's two sets on either side of the road they're just standard gantry flash cameras.
East bound one between High Cross and the tunnels then the next one that side is just after the tunnels where the road becomes 3 lanes again.

West bound is the second one as you come into them and then pretty much opposite the east bound one.


On the bright side at least you weren't the moron who got flashed twice by both east bound limit dropped to 20mph, one lane so sat at 15ish, car cam screaming up behind me, pulled left on to the hard shoulder and booted it to *flash flash*, got stuck behind a car, then out of the tunnels booted it through the now 40mph zone to *flash flash* I chortled.

[Ken Figenus]

Dick Dastardly said:

Coincidentally enough, I was in Newport Magistrates Court yesterday for a speeding charge on that same part of the motorway and in an Aston (assuming you were in yours?). PM me if you want to chat about it and how it turned out for me.

Tough luck mate Hope it isn't shanks' pony?

Load of nonsense those limits - the people marketing the pointless disco lights system must have a great PR dept.

Frustratingly the limits are still always on 50mph on approach to the tunnels Westbound even though they just fixed the lights on the tunnels after the fire 3 years ago (sic) which was claimed to be the reason for permanent 50 Westbound 24/7. Its easy to spot where this is as the road turns from grey to black due to the brake dust as everyone slams on the anchors when they hit the 50 from the 70. Absolute congestion causing nonsense but a cracking invoice for the system no doubt.

[Shappers24]

Went through the tunnels today at 8pm and it was back to National speed limit, there were no variable speeds at all westbound. It looks like they’ve resurfaced the eastbound tunnels outside lane as well.

Last week they were in the process of shutting westbound tunnel for its nightly closure... the amount of people who ignored the massive red crosses on all the gantrys was shocking, couldn’t believe it.