Got Caught Speeding Last Night

panthro

panthro

panthro

Soldato
Joined
19 Nov 2004
Posts
12,662
Location
Wokingham
So I'm officially a child killer now. Dual carriageway (30mph limit) in Reading (Forbury), coppers with a gun said I was doing 54mph; I find that hard to believe I was going that fast but I know I was going well over the 30mph limit.

The reason I was is ridiculous. The car has a lot of pad deposits on the discs and has been juddering a bit, so I accelerated and then braked to slow at the junction (where they caught me). Got pulled over, went into the car; they showed me the gun etc and said it will go to court.

I think I'm facing a potential ban but they said as it's my first offence it will most likely be points and a fine. I'm not contesting it in any way, but am not sure if it's worth going to court to plead guilty or just pleading guilty via post? Any suggestions are welcome, or if you want to cast down your judgment feel free, I know I was driving too fast.

I couldn't sleep at all last night, got an hours sleep and woke up in a sweat with worry; possibly overreacting but if I lose my license then I will be pretty upset.
 
randal said:
Pepipoo calculator seems to suggest 6 points and up to £1000 fine based on an income of £750 a week, with a chance of up to a 56 day ban.

Magistrates' Court Penalty Guidelines

Eligible for COFP instead?No: Magistrates' court only
Points:6
Normal fine range:£563 - £750
Disqualification possible?Consider 7-56 days
Maximum fine:£1000
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Interesting, thanks for that. I can handle a 56 day ban. £1000 fine will be hard to stomach but that's the least of my worries.
 
JOSH86 said:
I was caught for 54 in a 30. Plead guilty at court and got a 28 day ban, no retake and no points even though I had only been driving for 3 months.

I got myself a solicitor to represent me.

Had to put a code on my licence for 5 years and my insurance went up a lot.
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Did you plead guilty?
 
pepsilol said:
On a weekday in a 30 zone. This has got a ban written all over it.

Why are you so butt hurt about this?
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I'm not butt hurt; you just take the context of posts completely the wrong way.

MooMoo444 said:
They mean the same thing - if you go to court and basically say you 'did not realize I was doing almost double the speed limit' they'll come down on you hard.
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I won't go to court and say that; I'll most likely plead guilty by post and take whatever punishment I get. Was just asking as per my OP

"but am not sure if it's worth going to court to plead guilty or just pleading guilty via post?".
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Thanks for the info guys. I've just bought myself a Halfords 200 piece professional socket set to both cheer myself up, and prepare to do a lot of work on the car if it turns out it's off the road for a while.
Will wait for the paperwork to come through in the post.
 
bradUK said:
Six points and a hefty fine.

Years ago I got caught doing 99 in a 60. Perfect visibility very little traffic and a NSL zone. I admitted fault when the NIP came through and opted to go to court when the summons arrived. I had an impact statement describing how a ban would affect family members and employees etc which was prepared by a member on pepipoo. Your impact statement needs to clearly show how the loss of your license would be detrimental to other people. The court doesn't care if you loose your job etc so think kids to school, grannies shopping and wife to work type things.

Good luck.
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What was the outcome?
 
bradUK said:
I got six points SP30 and a £650 fine. The judge said he seriously considered a ban but the impact statement showed genuine hardship to others. I also put in that I was selling the car as I was unused to so much power which was a white lie but seemed to do the trick. I PX'd it for a M3, which to be fair was slower than my Skyline :-/
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The problem for me is that losing my license would have little impact on my life as I have no kids, live in the town centre and can quite easily take the train to work (which I was planning to do anyway) :(
I will sign up to Pepipoo and get some further advice with regards to impact statements and representing myself in court.
 
No other history other than a speed awareness course in 2005. I'm going to attend court and plead guilty and not make any excuses for myself. Just be honest, apologise and see what happens.
 
Can anyone advise me on devising a statement to read out on court? I have been trying to register at pepipoo for ages; I've got a username and password but it won't let me make any new posts. Court case is Wednesday and I'm just planning on pleading guilty and apologising for speeding and then detailing how I'm not some sort of serial speeder and this is my first offence etc.

Since this has happened I have been so careful with my driving, but it's amazing to see how many people will tailgate me in 30mph zones, even overtaking me just for sticking to the speed limit. I've also been very careful going through 20mph zones, which also seem to irk people immensely.
 
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Ended up with a 7 day ban and £857 fine including court costs. I'm more bothered about the fine than the ban. Especially when the **** in front of me at court was caught doing 120mph and got a 7 day ban with a £700 fine.
 
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