Caught Speeding

No1newts

No1newts

No1newts

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Hi all, tried looking to see if a thread like this would break any rules in here but didn't see anything, sorry in advance if it does!

I got caught speeding doing 99 in a 70 zone. I was an idiot so no need to point that out.

My question is I have a court summons come through looking up sentencing guidelines it suggests it can be up to 6 points and a £1k fine. I'm on 3 points currently, so I'm not at risk of getting a ban and the Summons states I can get a more "lenient" penalty if I plead guilty.

Anyone been in this situation and is it worth contesting in court? The fact I can't get banned leads me toward just pleading guilty but my concern is then being on 9 points and one more mistake and I'm done. I don't normally speed (this 99 was on one of the few duel roads in Norfolk and I was trying to get past multiple tractors/trucks before it went single lane, not an excuse just the facts) but being on 9 points would concern me, would contesting give me any chance at less points?

As I say I was an idiot, no need to point this out I accept his and annoyed at myself for getting in this situation. Just want to know if anyone has had something similar occur?

Thanks.
 
Yeah I drive for a living so that's not an option. I rarely if ever speed (my other 3 points was trusting my sat nab saying speed limit was 50 so travelling 50 but got pinged by a 40 camera which was vexing to say the least!) it's just that day on them horrid roads I made a stupid choice so not too worried about being on 9 points but it is a worry on 9 as a mistake can cost you.
 
Apologies that's just poor terminology, I mean the likelihood of them reducing the points awarded. I fine I can deal with but I would rather not be sat on 9 points.
 
div0 said:
Just to be clear, when did you get the 3 points? Some people mistake how long points remain on licence for how long they count towards totting up.
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25/09/13. It states on the online site that they expire 25/09/16 and then disappear off the licence 25/09/17.
 
Yeah I can get a ban, looking around people rarely seem to get banned for sub 100 (as long as it doesn't top up to 12 points) but I don't want to risk getting a ban as whilst I would probably "get away" with it at work (as guidelines suggest max 28 days) still not a great position to be in work wise.

Self inflicted so deserve no sympathy but is a horrible blinking situation, I could hire a solicitor but you are talking £500-£800 quid with no guarantee of no ban still.

Got to send the letter back today so just seeing if anyone had similar at similar speeds.
 
Liquidfox said:
You've already held your hands up, pointless paying £300+ or whatever it is for a solicitor to save yourself probably £200 in fines. Write a letter of apology (they call it mitigation) saying that the roads were dry etc (if they were) and that it was completely out of character thing to do (may not work too well as you don't have a clean license already! Worked for me though) and that you're very sorry and you don't ever want to go to court again.

I said I was looking at advanced driving courses and my eyes had been opened and as such fuel economy had improved (it actually had). I went from a Careless Driving charge and looking at 3-6 points and expecting £400 in fines to get 3 points and £115.
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I'm sending the letter off today, to be honest I'm heavily leaning toward just sending it in and pleading guilty by post with a mitigation letter. Just want to make sure that if the worst case happens and I get a short ban work are ok with it. If they aren't I'll probably lawyer up and do it in court just so I can get across how important it is I don't get a ban.
 
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Well work have come back and said a ban (as its max 28 days on the guidelines) is no bother if it does come to that, it's not ideal but I can work from home/nearest office so that's good. Just got to send everything back with mitigation letter then hope for the best!
 
Cheers for those who shared info.

Got a result today, 6pts and £603 fine (when you add all the various charges, the actual fine was £335) not great I really, really wanted to avoid being on 9 points but I am so it's down to me to be by the book now! With work being ok would rather have had a short ban and no points but it is what is.

I will just now be living in a state of constant paranoia in my car wherever I drive now, which isn't great when I do 25-30k miles a year!
 
To be honest I have been doing so since the letter and I must admit I generally find myself a lot more chilled out and relaxed when reaching the end of my journey. Just a sort of acceptance that "I'll get there when I get there" as opposed to slamming it to get there as fast as I can and I just find myself chilled.

There are moments though :p but it's down to me to control it!
 
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