Caught Speeding - PLEASE HELP!!!

[dava73]

I've been caught speeding recently and have to go to court in order to
receive my penalty. I'm worried that I may lose my licence and that may
result in me losing my job. As I'm the sole earner, driver in my family and
have a 6 month old baby to provide for, I'm slightly worried.

I was caught just after overtaking someone on the A5 in a 60mph zone doing
88mph. This was my peak speed as once I passed, I slowed down to the correct
speed limit (or thereabouts). I was going downhill when overtaking on a
huge straight, popular with speed freaks, had ample vision of the road
ahead, no pedestrians or houses about as that stretch of the A5 is
surrounded by fields.

I was caught by a chap sitting in a van, camera facing out of the back,
about 1/2 a mile or so up the road sitting at the top of a hill.

The road ahead was clear, the surface dry and it was 2.00pm. I was late
leaving work in order to be at the hospital for a vital health check before
major surgery on my shoulder (which did not impair my driving before hand).

I have three points already for speeding after being caught by a speed
camera (fixed) in Luton.

Does anyone have any advise or thoughts about this and do you think I'll
lose my licence?

Kind regards,

Dava73

[gRsf12]

Less than 30 over the limit, so I think it'll just be a hefty fine and points. But I'm no expert. Best of luck, don't do it again, etc.

[dava73]

Thanks buddy, I won't!

D.

[pikey]

dava73 said:

I was caught just after overtaking someone on the A5 in a 60mph zone doing 88mph.

Doubt you'll be in too much trouble, 88 in a 60 doesn't sound too bad in the badness scheme of things. 30 over the limit is the book-throwing area.

If you did get banned I wouldn't think it'd be for more than a week, and certainly not if they know why you need your licence.

Show respect, admit the offence, don't try to excuse it and do show remorse. You were bad - you got caught - you have to be punished.

Oh, and if you really really need your licence perhaps you should take more care? I'm sure the court will give you a grilling about that though!

Good luck

[supraman2954]

gRsf12 said:

Less than 30 over the limit, so I think it'll just be a hefty fine and points. But I'm no expert. Best of luck, don't do it again, etc.

Did you mean 'don't get caught again' ?

[leosayer]

I'm certainly no expert but you could refer to Roadcraft (or is it the HC) which states that overtaking manouvers should be completed as quickly as possible.

[dava73]

Pikey,

Thanks for the advise mate. I'll show lots of remorse and grovel at his knees. May even take an onion in my pocket and cry on demand, just in case!

Being honest, I am a careful driver and don't bomb about like some, my mother was left disabled because of a bloke losing control of his car and crashing front-on into her VW Golf (her pride and joy) at 80mph, so I know the dangers of speeding.

Love your motor. Honda S2000!! Wow, I drive a Honda Civic 1.5LSI. It's a fantastic car, so reliable and cheap to run. Love to have a motor like yours though but I doubt I'd have my licence very long if I did!!

Once again, thanks Pikey!

D.

[Davel]

Thing is that we all do it, even if only for a moment as you overtake and clear the vehicle in front.

Sadly that's just when the camera guys are about, to take your picture.

Sod's law is that, if you didn't need to overtake they'd be no bloody camera there.

88 in a 60 is bad, says me 75 in a 60 last December - 3 points and £60 later. I was doing exactly the same thing but simply pleaded guilty on the NIP.

Who wouldn't with the threat of higher fines and more points if you go to court?

Good luck anyway

[Dwight VanDriver]

Get to Court early and seek out the Court Duty Solicitor. As I presume you are pleading Guilty he may well take up your case in pleading the mitigation and the hardship aspect that a ban, if imposed, would cause. If proven, hardship allows Mags not to impose a ban.

DVD

[go4it]

I ahte to bring bad news but i would definitely get a solicitor as a ban is very real. Thsi 30mph over a limit before being banned is a myth.

The only upside is that a short ban can be better than points becasue you get a ban for say 2 weeks, take a holiday and when you get your licence back no points. Under the points system you keep the points for three years. publicised on your licence for 4, the fine is going to hurt.

its better you face reality now and get good advice rather than go to court in a false hope and regrte not getting the advice. I wouldnt rely on a duty solicitor and grovelling in Court wont make a lot of differance because the Magistrates have a guide list when issuing sentence. The discretion comes with either disqualifying you or not and its that you need to address, they will respond to genuine circumstances but if they are looking at a 2 week ban then they may feel you can weather the storm. A letter from your employer saying you will lose your job is a good tact

[Mr E]

leosayer said:

I'm certainly no expert but you could refer to Roadcraft (or is it the HC) which states that overtaking manouvers should be completed as quickly as possible.

Yup. If I'm on the wrong side of the road I'm going to be on WOT for the overtake.

[gRsf12]

Mr E said:

leosayer said: I'm certainly no expert but you could refer to Roadcraft (or is it the HC) which states that overtaking manouvers should be completed as quickly as possible. Yup. If I'm on the wrong side of the road I'm going to be on WOT for the overtake.

But the bounding argument legally is the speed limit . If you cannot overtake safely and legally, then the law's view is that you should technically not be overtaking. Someone doing 40 in a 60 gives you a whole 20mph leeway for acceleration and swift overtaking. Someone doing 55 does not allow the same and passing them at 75 in order to pass them safely is not a suitable excuse for speeding. Not that I know what a suitable excuse is - or I might be tempted to use it !

Your 'friendly' LEO may well apply his/her discretion and ignore it, pull you and tick you off or pull you and ticket you - at least you get to put your case at the scene - but the camera merely applies the law as it is instructed with its set points, as we all know.