NIP (49 in 30)
Discussion
Hello,
I have received a NIP that says I was doing 49 mph in a 30 mph restricted road. I have done some research and it is apparently a BAND B offence (the upper limit). I think I was doing a couple mph less, but I am not sure and I don't know if it matters anyway as I was most likely doing over 40, so still BAND B...
The strange thing about this is that I was caught by a speed camera van that was on the opposite side of the road and it was facing me. I noticed this and slowed down immediately to about 20 before I even got to the van and I went super slow as I was going away from it (from the back window of the van). This means they must have got me through the front window as nobody was outside the van and all the doors were closed and on the NIP it says "manned equipment". Are they even allowed to do this? Could this affect the reading of the speed a little bit? I was the only car in sight though.
I have read some other posts here that said you are (usually?) offered a fixed penalty of £100 + 3 points rather than summons for a BAND B offence. Does this still apply even though the recorded speed was at the very upper limit of the BAND B range? Is there a chance they could take me to court? I have had a clean licence for over 10 years. If they give me the penalty of £100 + 3 points, I'd be happy to take it, but I am so worried I could get a court summons and then even possibly get disqualified from driving and end up with a criminal record etc..... I work as a driver, so my life would be over if that happened :/
Is there anything I can do at this stage to make this less likely? Should I send a letter to the police with the form or anything? I am so stressed I can't even sleep. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you for reading this.
I have received a NIP that says I was doing 49 mph in a 30 mph restricted road. I have done some research and it is apparently a BAND B offence (the upper limit). I think I was doing a couple mph less, but I am not sure and I don't know if it matters anyway as I was most likely doing over 40, so still BAND B...
The strange thing about this is that I was caught by a speed camera van that was on the opposite side of the road and it was facing me. I noticed this and slowed down immediately to about 20 before I even got to the van and I went super slow as I was going away from it (from the back window of the van). This means they must have got me through the front window as nobody was outside the van and all the doors were closed and on the NIP it says "manned equipment". Are they even allowed to do this? Could this affect the reading of the speed a little bit? I was the only car in sight though.
I have read some other posts here that said you are (usually?) offered a fixed penalty of £100 + 3 points rather than summons for a BAND B offence. Does this still apply even though the recorded speed was at the very upper limit of the BAND B range? Is there a chance they could take me to court? I have had a clean licence for over 10 years. If they give me the penalty of £100 + 3 points, I'd be happy to take it, but I am so worried I could get a court summons and then even possibly get disqualified from driving and end up with a criminal record etc..... I work as a driver, so my life would be over if that happened :/
Is there anything I can do at this stage to make this less likely? Should I send a letter to the police with the form or anything? I am so stressed I can't even sleep. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you for reading this.
And re-evaluate your driving.
49 in a 30 isn't just a lapse of concentration. You slowed down only when you saw the van so the 30 limit had little effect on your speed.
Not trying to sound all high and mighty but if your job depends on you having a licence it's in your best interests to keep to the limits.
And breaking the speed limit is not a criminal offence.
49 in a 30 isn't just a lapse of concentration. You slowed down only when you saw the van so the 30 limit had little effect on your speed.
Not trying to sound all high and mighty but if your job depends on you having a licence it's in your best interests to keep to the limits.
And breaking the speed limit is not a criminal offence.
GreatGranny said:
And re-evaluate your driving.
49 in a 30 isn't just a lapse of concentration. You slowed down only when you saw the van so the 30 limit had little effect on your speed.
Not trying to sound all high and mighty but if your job depends on you having a licence it's in your best interests to keep to the limits.
And breaking the speed limit is not a criminal offence.
It was a one-off occasion as I was running late for work. I've had a clean licence for over 10 years and no accidents.49 in a 30 isn't just a lapse of concentration. You slowed down only when you saw the van so the 30 limit had little effect on your speed.
Not trying to sound all high and mighty but if your job depends on you having a licence it's in your best interests to keep to the limits.
And breaking the speed limit is not a criminal offence.
randlemarcus said:
Can they also have cameras front, and side facing? Yes.
Can they form an opinion that you were speeding before pressing record. Apparently so.
As above, bite the 3pts, and move on.
I have found the following information:Can they form an opinion that you were speeding before pressing record. Apparently so.
As above, bite the 3pts, and move on.
"Laser speedmeters must not be used through glass or plastic screens to avoid diffraction
or scattering of the laser beam. While vehicle screens pass light with minimum diffraction,
elements within vehicle screens, as well as their cleanliness, makes the path of laser light less
predictable so it is discouraged in law enforcement devices. They can be used from within
vehicles through an open aperture, such as a window.
Take care that lenses are not damaged or dirty by not placing the instrument in a position
where this can occur. Make a visual inspection of the equipment for damage before use."
SS2. said:
Chill..
Too fast for a course, not fast enough to be proceeded straight to court (although it's on the limit) - expect £100 and 3 points.
Get the s.172 form sent back on time, and don't bother writing a letter to accompany it.
This, spot on. Too fast for a course, not fast enough to be proceeded straight to court (although it's on the limit) - expect £100 and 3 points.
Get the s.172 form sent back on time, and don't bother writing a letter to accompany it.
The 'bands' only apply if the case goes to court, which, in a 30 mph limit, is 50mph or over.
At 49 in a 30 you will get a FPN for £100 and 3pts. It won't go to court (unless you appeal).
Pay it and move on - no big deal.
For the benefit of all the pedants on the forum - there are probably exceptions to this rule but that's what normally happens.
Dunno123 said:
randlemarcus said:
Can they also have cameras front, and side facing? Yes.
Can they form an opinion that you were speeding before pressing record. Apparently so.
As above, bite the 3pts, and move on.
I have found the following information:Can they form an opinion that you were speeding before pressing record. Apparently so.
As above, bite the 3pts, and move on.
"Laser speedmeters must not be used through glass or plastic screens to avoid diffraction
or scattering of the laser beam. While vehicle screens pass light with minimum diffraction,
elements within vehicle screens, as well as their cleanliness, makes the path of laser light less
predictable so it is discouraged in law enforcement devices. They can be used from within
vehicles through an open aperture, such as a window.
Take care that lenses are not damaged or dirty by not placing the instrument in a position
where this can occur. Make a visual inspection of the equipment for damage before use."
SS2. said:
Chill..
Too fast for a course, not fast enough to be proceeded straight to court (although it's on the limit) - expect £100 and 3 points.
Get the s.172 form sent back on time, and don't bother writing a letter to accompany it.
I was 48 in a 30 recently, £100 and 3 points, no offer of course like you say. Too fast for a course, not fast enough to be proceeded straight to court (although it's on the limit) - expect £100 and 3 points.
Get the s.172 form sent back on time, and don't bother writing a letter to accompany it.
untakenname said:
Did they supply pictures of the infringement? If not then ask for them to help identify the driver, I've done this and then had the ticket withdrawn.
No, I just received the NIP and it mentions "Images of the offence will not be disclosed at this stage."Why did they withdraw your ticket? I suppose if they couldn't prove it was you they would take it to court. Or did they actually not have a proof of the speed?
1mph faster and it would've been a court summons.
If you end up in court for 49 in a 30 you can expect more points and a higher (means tested) fine + victim surcharge, if found guilty.
Nothing you've said so far constitutes a defence so if your starting point is "can they use it through glass?" then I'd suggest you might want to think about accepting the fixed penalty.
If you end up in court for 49 in a 30 you can expect more points and a higher (means tested) fine + victim surcharge, if found guilty.
Nothing you've said so far constitutes a defence so if your starting point is "can they use it through glass?" then I'd suggest you might want to think about accepting the fixed penalty.
Dunno123 said:
I suppose if they couldn't prove it was you they would take it to court.
Admissible 'proof' of driver identity is normally provided by the driver's written admission - this would be via the s.172 form which will be annexed to / combined with your NIP.They don't need a photo showing the driver's face.
SS2. said:
Admissible 'proof' of driver identity is normally provided by the driver's written admission - this would be via the s.172 form which will be annexed to / combined with your NIP.
They don't need a photo showing the driver's face.
I am not sure I understand what you mean by admissible proof of driver identity. The NIP mentions "Images of the offence will not be disclosed at this stage." and on the back there's the 172 form.They don't need a photo showing the driver's face.
Dunno123 said:
No, I just received the NIP and it mentions "Images of the offence will not be disclosed at this stage."
Why did they withdraw your ticket? I suppose if they couldn't prove it was you they would take it to court. Or did they actually not have a proof of the speed?
I called their bluff as I knew when they pinged me that I'd scrubbed off enough speed and reviewed the footage from my dashcam which confirmed it so I asked for photographic evidence and then it was revoked with some condescending drivel about reviewing the charge and in this instance letting me go.Why did they withdraw your ticket? I suppose if they couldn't prove it was you they would take it to court. Or did they actually not have a proof of the speed?
The fact that I wasn't even offered a driver improvement course instead which is usually what your given when they know there's some ambiguity means they didn't follow protocol or simply made the speed up.
I did then get a spurious section 59 warning afterwards though which seemed very suspect as it was my second car which was only used twice that month and the place they said I was causing offence was the road next to where I live which is the one place I wouldn't be driving hard as I always wait till my cars upto temp before driving hard and take it easy the last few minutes before home to let the turbo cool.
I'd recommend getting a dashcam to be able to review the footage of when the infractions take place, I keep 6 months worth backed up in the cloud just incase.
geeks said:
Send the form off, accept your points, pay your fine and suck it up. You know you were speeding, you've admitted as such. Just accept it and move on.
That’s the attitude that the speed Nazi’s and Parking companies rely on.If there really is no way out then yes, send off the form op. If there’s a way out, take it.
bad company said:
geeks said:
Send the form off, accept your points, pay your fine and suck it up. You know you were speeding, you've admitted as such. Just accept it and move on.
That’s the attitude that the speed Nazi’s and Parking companies rely on.If there really is no way out then yes, send off the form op. If there’s a way out, take it.
Outside of a built up area go as fast as you want as far as I am conserned but in a thirty?
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