Caught Speeding

[number8]

Yes, I have no excuse, and I'm sure there'll be plenty of people telling me to just accept the points/fine because I broke the law, but am a bit miffed. Last Friday night at about 10pm I was caught by a camera doing 90 in a 70: the road was deserted and the camera is not in an accident black spot, and is therefore just a cynical revenue collecting exercise. What would happen if I appeal? Also, how much is the fine/ how many points I can expect?

[andy hughes]

You can expect a pretty hefty fine and endoresement because you are way over the maximum limit. My advice is not to appeal - they've heard every excuse in the book, and you don;t want to wind them up in case they increase your fine. Your argument regarding conditions and placing of the camera cut no ice with the law I'm afraid, the limit is there, you broke it, and after that, you and the law makers part company on the whys and wherefors. I'm really trying not to sound superior and patronising here, mainly because I am neither by nature, but my advice is to pay up and forget about it.

[Famous5]

Have a look at www.safe2travel.co.uk which covers Lancashire Police and answers most of your comments as FAQs

[thewillow]

Given the road was deserted and it was not a black spot, what speed do you think you should have been allowed to do? 120mph? 140mph? 160mph?

[Mattk]

we've all done it but an appeal would be pointless(no pun intended) as the law is the law and doesnt change given certain time conditions !!! also there is no guarantee youve been 'caught'.some cameras just 'flash' to make you drop your speed.i was 'flashed' this way once coming back from plymouth at about 2 in the morning and never heard anything.

[apricot]

You thinking of pleading not guilty? What would your mitigation be? Your fine is much bigger if you plead not guilty then are found guilty.

[Doolallygirl]

Legally you need to receive a notice within 2 weeks of being flashed otherwise the fine won't stand and you can appeal.

[number8]

No I wasn't thinking of pleading not guilty - I am guilty, I was speeding, and based upon the very informative comments in the thread, bar one silly one, I am just going to accept it (because I don't have any choice). I'm just a bit miffed because it was a safe speed for the conditions, and the camera has been placed there purely to make money. Will just have to be more careful.

[Mattk]

top gear had a map on the show once showing the top UK accident blackspots and not one had a camera ! its obvious that these money making devices hide behind the pretense of road safety and lets face it,whats the 1st thing you do once past the camera range ? speed !!!

[thewillow]

I presume my answer is the 'silly' one. Just because I think it's arrogant of you to decide that you know better than the transport authorities what a safe speed is. Too many motorists around with this attitude.

[GuavaHalf]

I'm with you willow and I don't care how many cynical money making cameras they put up cos they won't make a penny out of me.

[norfolk boy]

Scubaboy i take it you passed your car test if so you know what the speed limits in this country are. Remember if you can't do the time, do't do the crime !

[norfolk boy]

don't

[bernardo]

Why are you "a bit miffed" when you have already admitted that you broke the law? Why do you mention the irrelevant fact that the camera is "not in an accident balckspot"? Why do you refer to an entirely legitimate "revenue collecting exercise" as "cynical"? I think we should have whinge cameras as well as speed cameras.

[Drewhound]

It should be �60 and three points. As said an appeal would bump the fine up. Just remember even if it is just a "cynical revenue collecting excercise", and I'm not agreeing it is, it's purely voluntary, ie you don't actually have to take part

[darth vader]

with thewillow et al on t his one. see my question two above yours

[Mattk]

can all the people defending speed cameras and attacking people who speed honestly say that they have NEVER gone above the speed limit ?

[Bob A Job]

Speed limits are there for a reason. They are based on breaking distances and potential accidents. Those people breaking the law, i only wish it was themselves they killed and not other people as well.

[Drewhound]

I'm fairly comfortable with the concept of speed cameras Mattk, though I'd like to see more in urban areas and yes I do break the speed limit. The point of your questions is .........?

[ianess]

A limit is exactly that.....a MAXIMUM speed under ideal conditions. Didn`t the police advise you of your rights to go to court and plead your case to a sympathetic magistrate? Catch 22 all over again. Best to take your punishment quietly.