Speeding Advice Please

[The Curn]

Morning All

87mph in a 60mph variable speed zone on the M5 motorway. Good conditions, mid afternoon, not much traffic about, as said it was a variable speed zone with 60mph displayed on the gantry and was flashed by a camera. It wasn’t roadworks.

Currently have a clean licence. Have a letter through that doesn’t offer a fixed penalty but says maximum fine is £2500 on a motorway (but strangely £1000 on a lesser road) and 6 points or disqualification. Guess it will mean a court appearance.

A few questions;

Should I seek any professional advice?
What should I expect in terms of a fine / points / ban?
Would I be better off attending court or staying away; will I have a choice?

Not really sure about these things as apart from a couple of SP30’s I’ve kept my nose clean for the last 20 years!

Frustrating as the only reason (NOT AN EXCUSE) I had my foot down was that my 8 year old daughter was in tears in the back as couldn’t wait for the loo and her 6 year old brother was winding her up talking about waterfalls, and sprinklers.

[Monkeylegend]

My advice would be to only believe what atglaw tells you, if he tells you anything.

Everything else you get told on here will probably not help you much or damn you for speeding and/or getting caught.

[covboy]

Get a decent Brief to plead for you (still won't get off though)

[Aprisa]

Professional advice is up to you but as you have a clean licence and no totting ban will occur then you should be OK on your own if confident in speaking.
Guidance says fine is Band B (1 weeks income) and should be 5 points if straightforward with no other aggravating factors.
IANAL

[thescamper]

AGTlaw Posted This yesterday

[The Curn]

Thanks all. Very helpful.

I should add that I'm not trying to get off. Just wanted some views on the best way to go about handling it trying to minimise the penalty.

Atglaws article is very helpful. Guess I'm looking at a weeks income fine and 4 - 6 points. Ended up being an expensive free weekend in Cornwall. Got a parking ticket in Fowey as well that evening

[agtlaw]

The Curn said:

Should I seek any professional advice?
What should I expect in terms of a fine / points / ban?
Would I be better off attending court or staying away; will I have a choice?

That's a personal choice.

Assuming court proceedings (not a fixed penalty) then a ban is unlikely as not fast enough. 3-6 points but most likely 5. Fine is income based.

You will most likely get a Single Justice Procedure Notice. If it's the Metropolitan Police then that should be reviewed carefully - cases are being binned because of a procedural "difficulty."

Initially, you will have a choice. It might be foolish to attend court in person and give them the option to ban when you can deal with it by post and not get a ban. If they are considering a ban then you will be informed and required to attend court. At that stage, if you don't have it already have it then you should get professional help.

Edited by agtlaw on Thursday 16th February 12:25

[The Curn]

agtlaw said:

That's a personal choice.

Assuming court proceedings (not a fixed penalty) then a ban is unlikely as not fast enough. 3-6 points but most likely 5. Fine is income based.

You will most likely get a Single Justice Procedure Notice. If it's the Metropolitan Police then that should be reviewed carefully - cases are being binned because of a procedural "difficulty."

Initially, you will have a choice. It might be foolish to attend court in person and give them the option to ban when you can deal with it by post and not get a ban. If they are considering a ban then you will be informed and required to attend court. At that stage, if you don't have it already have it then you should get professional help.

Edited by agtlaw on Thursday 16th February 12:25

Thank you. Very helpful.

The letter is to my wife as we were in the family hack. She is going to respond naming me as the driver and then I guess I will wait and see what they send back to me. It is Avon & Somerset Constabulary.

I've had a look at your website and will be in touch if needed. Thanks again for your advice; good to know where you are!

[cbmotorsport]

In your mitigation, do not mention the kids as you have done above.. They will likely frown upon the fact you were speeding with small children in the car..