How fast is too fast?
If you are driving a car or riding a motorbike, you may drive at up to 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways, up to 60mph on single carriageways and up to 30mph on roads in built-up areas. It becomes a little more complicated when you consider what a built-up area is. In law, this includes not only roads with a 30mph sign, but also any road where the streetlights are no more than 200 yards apart. It should also be added that different speed limits apply to cars towing caravans/trailers, buses, coaches, light goods vehicles and heavy goods vehicles. The speed limits for these can be found in the Highway Code.
What is the punishment for speeding?
If you are convicted of speeding, you will normally receive 3 to 6 penalty points on your licence and a fine of up to £2500. You may also be banned from driving and, if so, may be required to take your test again before being given your licence back. If the total points on your licence adds up to 12 or more, you will be banned for at least 6 months. If you have passed your test in the last two years, you will lose your licence if you have 6 or more points on your licence, and will only get it back once you have passed both the theory and practical tests again. The rule of thumb is that if you drive over 60mph in a 30mph zone or over 100mph in a 70mph zone, you will lose your licence. As can be seen, these are harsh penalties.
What should I do if I get a speeding ticket?
Most importantly, contact a solicitor. He or she will help you understand what is happening and advise you what to do next. A solicitor will question the Police for you. Can they prove that the vehicle was speeding? Can they prove you were driving? Can they prove the speed limit on the road? Were the correct signs displayed on the road? Was it an emergency that caused you to drive so fast? Any of these may lead to the charge being dropped.
Also, a solicitor will help you if you face a 6 month ban for having 12 points on your licence. They may be able to argue that to ban you would cause you exceptional hardship and you may be able to keep your licence.
Furthermore, if you are facing an instant ban because you drove so fast, a solicitor will give you a much better chance of receiving penalty points instead.
If you require advice or have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Jeremy Scott on 01904 610886