Severity of speeding offence

I was doing around 90mph down the motorway to work as I was late, the motorway is a variable speed motorway and at the time the signs were showing 60. I was inevitably flashed by a camera and I am now expected an NIP to come through the door. I wanted to know the severity of my punishment and whether I can avoid a ban altogether as I need to drive for my job! I have a clean licence and I have been driving for more than 2 years now.

Reply 1

IWMTom

20

Original post by Rmtb96

I was doing around 90mph down the motorway to work as I was late, the motorway is a variable speed motorway and at the time the signs were showing 60. I was inevitably flashed by a camera and I am now expected an NIP to come through the door. I wanted to know the severity of my punishment and whether I can avoid a ban altogether as I need to drive for my job! I have a clean licence and I have been driving for more than 2 years now.

Depends whether you get a fixed penalty, or a court summons.

What were conditions like? What time of day? How much traffic? Why was the 60 sign active - usually this is because of either roadworks or high traffic volume. You say you were doing 90 - was this an indicated speed?

You're on the borderline for Band B/C here, but assuming normal tolerances, I'd say you'd land in Band B. A short disqualification, or 4-6 points, along with a hefty fine.

Again, though, it all depends what comes through in the post. My question is, why were you doing 90 in a 60?

Reply 2

Rmtb96

OP

2

It was around 5:50am and I had to be in work for 6am so I was running late so therefore I felt I had to put my foot down (which I don’t normally do).The conditions were fine, wasn’t wet, foggy or anything, it was all clear and traffic was very quiet at that time of morning. I always see other drivers tank it down the same road and I never see them get flashed so I thought it was alright for me to do the same as I was in a hurry. I’m pretty sure 90 was my speed, I only glanced at my Speedo shortly after the flash but I didn’t click on to what the flash was right away as I was so concerned about getting into work on time. I also wasn’t sure why the variable speed was on, there were no roadworks and not a lot of traffic? It’s not usually on at that time of morning.

Reply 3

nevershear

15

Original post by Rmtb96

It was around 5:50am and I had to be in work for 6am so I was running late so therefore I felt I had to put my foot down (which I don’t normally do).The conditions were fine, wasn’t wet, foggy or anything, it was all clear and traffic was very quiet at that time of morning. I always see other drivers tank it down the same road and I never see them get flashed so I thought it was alright for me to do the same as I was in a hurry. I’m pretty sure 90 was my speed, I only glanced at my Speedo shortly after the flash but I didn’t click on to what the flash was right away as I was so concerned about getting into work on time. I also wasn’t sure why the variable speed was on, there were no roadworks and not a lot of traffic? It’s not usually on at that time of morning.

Probably looking at a fine and 4-6 points, potentially a 54 day ban. Speedos overread so if it said 90 you were probably doing just over 80. I can be late for work 20 shifts in a row and still be fine, I might get asked to come in for a meeting but I'd never get sacked or put through a process for it - so I simply decided it isn't worth it, better off chilling out and being late.

Reply 4

IWMTom

20

Original post by Rmtb96

I always see other drivers tank it down the same road and I never see them get flashed so I thought it was alright for me to do the same as I was in a hurry.

If all the other drivers on the road drove off a cliff, would you join them?

Reply 5

Rmtb96

OP

2

Right I see and is that true? That speedos overread the actual speed? I never knew that. And yeah I’ve never been late so Im just the type of person that doesn’t want to find out what happens if I am late! But I’ve definitively had a scare here and have learnt my lesson, chill driving is the best way forward! I just hope that now I can avoid a ban somehow because I need to drive! And I see your point, no I wouldn’t drive off a cliff if everyone else did, I was stupid to assume this.

Reply 6

IWMTom

20

Original post by Rmtb96

Right I see and is that true? That speedos overread the actual speed? I never knew that. And yeah I’ve never been late so Im just the type of person that doesn’t want to find out what happens if I am late! But I’ve definitively had a scare here and have learnt my lesson, chill driving is the best way forward! I just hope that now I can avoid a ban somehow because I need to drive! And I see your point, no I wouldn’t drive off a cliff if everyone else did, I was stupid to assume this.