Flashed and NIP through for 104mph on M25 at 1am

[M3Maverick]

As above, was coming home one night from airport on empty M25. Didn't realise what speed I was doing when the road lit up and I got flashed by one of the HADECS cams in Essex part.

Had the NIP through, filled in my details and sent it back. Next step is magistrates court, had the papers through today with two options:

1. Plead guilty don't go to court
2. Plead guilty and go to court

I was considering getting a solicitor and doing 2 but they're going to cost about £1,000 on top of court fine, points and ban etc.

In people's experience are they worth hiring for matters like this?

Also don't speed, it's expensive and not worth it :-(

[herewego]

Usual recommendation is don't go to court if you can avoid it as they can't ban you if you are not there.

[M3Maverick]

Letter also says 'have been charged with speeding on motorway... this offence carries penalty points'

So I'm guessing big fine and points with no ban?

[SS2.]

Costs & surcharge plus fine and points or fine and ban, not both.

[M3Maverick]

How can you decide if it's points or ban?

I take it ban with no points is better for insurance?

[SS2.]

M3Maverick said:

How can you decide if it's points or ban?

You can't - that's down to the court.

[M3Maverick]

Thanks. Does the magistrate have much scope with the penalty or are the results fairly rigid?

[SS2.]

M3Maverick said:

Does the magistrate have much scope with the penalty or are the results fairly rigid?

For a 'straightforward' 104mph in a 70mph limit (and absent significant aggravating or mitigating factors), the guidelines they'll be working to will suggest 7-56 day ban or 6 penalty points.

As already posted, if you don't attend court they are far less likely to order a ban.

Note also that an early guilty plea would qualify for the maximum available discount from the [means related] fine they'll be looking to impose.

[pistonfoot]

Thought it was an instant ban, on speeds above 100mph?

[SS2.]

pistonfoot said:

Thought it was an instant ban, on speeds above 100mph?

That's a myth. Oft repeated, but a myth nonetheless.

[Pica-Pica]

pistonfoot said:

Thought it was an instant ban, on speeds above 100mph?

Maybe a retest too.

[agtlaw]

M3Maverick said:

As above, was coming home one night from airport on empty M25. Didn't realise what speed I was doing when the road lit up and I got flashed by one of the HADECS cams in Essex part.

Had the NIP through, filled in my details and sent it back. Next step is magistrates court, had the papers through today with two options:

1. Plead guilty don't go to court
2. Plead guilty and go to court

I was considering getting a solicitor and doing 2 but they're going to cost about £1,000 on top of court fine, points and ban etc.

In people's experience are they worth hiring for matters like this?

Also don't speed, it's expensive and not worth it :-(

Avoid attending court if at all possible. You won't be banned from driving if you're not present at the first listing of the case. If you try to deal with the case to a conclusion at the SJPN stage and the court issues a 'Summons on referral to court' then consider getting representation for the hearing.

Get your mitigation right first time and you may avoid having to attend.

If you elect to have a court hearing then you miss the opportunity for the court to simply endorse points and fine you. Often a foolish strategy - but it depends on your desired outcome. There are ways of minimising the fine.

[agtlaw]

Pica-Pica said:

Maybe a retest too.

Virtually no possibility of that happening.

[DaveH23]

M3Maverick's Thread title said:

FLASHED AND NIP THROUGH FOR 104MPH ON M25 AT 1AM

Then M3Maverick said:

Didn't realise what speed I was doing when the road lit up

I'm lost for words.

Even on an empty motorway I struggle to understand how you didnt realise you were driving in excess of 100mph.

[TooMany2cvs]

agtlaw said:

Pica-Pica said:

Maybe a retest too.

Virtually no possibility of that happening.

Not unless it's the Scottish stretch of the M25...

[g3org3y]

Were the overhead gantries showing a reduced limit or was this offence over the NSL?

[Ed.]

DaveH23 said:

M3Maverick's Thread title said:

FLASHED AND NIP THROUGH FOR 104MPH ON M25 AT 1AM

Then M3Maverick said:

Didn't realise what speed I was doing when the road lit up

I'm lost for words.


Even on an empty motorway I struggle to understand how you didnt realise you were driving in excess of 100mph.

Torquey luxobarge?

[diehardbenzfan]

DaveH23 said:

I'm lost for words.

Even on an empty motorway I struggle to understand how you didnt realise you were driving in excess of 100mph.

Only instance I would not realise the speed I'm doing is when overtaking someone, say someone is middle lane hogging, you get frustrated and pass them, depending on the car, can easily reach 100 mph but on an empty motorway, not sure I can either

[Tablecloth]

agtlaw said:

M3Maverick said:

As above, was coming home one night from airport on empty M25. Didn't realise what speed I was doing when the road lit up and I got flashed by one of the HADECS cams in Essex part.

Had the NIP through, filled in my details and sent it back. Next step is magistrates court, had the papers through today with two options:

1. Plead guilty don't go to court
2. Plead guilty and go to court

I was considering getting a solicitor and doing 2 but they're going to cost about £1,000 on top of court fine, points and ban etc.

In people's experience are they worth hiring for matters like this?

Also don't speed, it's expensive and not worth it :-(

Avoid attending court if at all possible. You won't be banned from driving if you're not present at the first listing of the case. If you try to deal with the case to a conclusion at the SJPN stage and the court issues a 'Summons on referral to court' then consider getting representation for the hearing.

Get your mitigation right first time and you may avoid having to attend.

If you elect to have a court hearing then you miss the opportunity for the court to simply endorse points and fine you. Often a foolish strategy - but it depends on your desired outcome. There are ways of minimising the fine.

Adding "Didn't realise what speed I was doing..." to your story won't assist.

[M3Maverick]

Look it's not a case of I thought I was doing 70. Like a lot of people I usually cruise at 80-90 but obviously had a brain fart when it was literally just me on the road.

So to summarise:

1. Don't go to court, better not to
2. Expect big fine + points
3. Mitigating factors - I take it these are late at night, no traffic, not a built up area, license for 12 years never had any other offence or accident?

Thanks for everyone's help