Speeding ticket

[PaulnCarole]

Is there a time limit from being caught speeding to receiving your letter of intended prosecution? I was apparently caught speeding (doing 35 in a 30 limit) on the 6th of July, but have received nothing in the post so far. Thanks.

[gilby]

it can take a while . i got caught and it took 2 months before i got the letter.... i thought i had got away with it!!

[Loosehead]

They have up to 6 months to send an NIP and it still counts even if you don't receive it.

[Ward-Minter]

Legally it is only 14 days unless reported by a police officer which will be six months from time of the offence not the reporting.

 

To be reported you must have been interviewed under caution and words to the effect of "I am reporting you for consideration in the question of prosecuting you for driving over the speed limit"   blah blah blah

Therefore if you just got flashed you are safe. If stopped by a police officer you are probably safe aswell otherwise he/she would have given you a fixed penalty notice there and then.

 

Give me the full details and i will inform you better

[PaulnCarole]

I was driving my husband's company car (whiched is leased to his company) on 6th July. On 27th July my husband got an email from his Head Office, asking if he was driving the vehicle on the 6th July, through Bishop Burton on the A1079 at 19.10 hours. It wasnt my husband driving, it was me. My husband emailed back with this info.

His Head Office then sent him another email, asking for confirmation of the driver's details, stating that the vehicle had been recorded travelling at 35 mph in a 30 limit. They headed the email "Speeding Ticket".

To be honest I am absolutely gutted, because I am always conscious of speed limits, I have had a blemish-free driving history of 27 years, and I think it is unjust, but I know this isnt taken into consideration.

Many thanks for your reply.

[spinchimp]

You are stuck with this one. The company have received a notice within the time limits. The delay is with them not the enforcement authority. Incidentally I'm not sure why you feel it is unjust - you were exceeding the limit!

[Ward-Minter]

Don't know where Bishop Burton is but it sounds very nice. Most police authorities have a discretionary 10 percent plus 3mph so 35 mph does seem excessive.

There are ways around it trust me if you have confidence. There are so many anomolies in traffic law. The best advice will be to wait for any summons etc. You then have a choice. Court or pay the fine.

 

You can easily beat the system at court but you must have balls like steel. Remember the seed of doubt in the Magistrates mind will be enough to let you off.

 

There are quite a few websites that tackle the issue which will cost you about 15-20 quid to download. www.uk-driving-secrets.com is one good one.

 

It goes on about what to do. i.e find out what camera took the snap, the history of the calibration etc etc etc.

 

Whatever happens make sure you have ALL the evidence even if you decide to pay the fine. i.e the actual photo etc etc.

 

The site I mentioned even gives standard letters to send to you Central Ticket Office to let you off. Sometmes it does work. 

 

Good luck.

[Annie Oakley]

Hi spinchimp - I feel it is unjust because it was a "first time" and I think that a warning, when you have been blemish-free for 27 years, would suffice. I think they caught me as I was slowing down, you reach this road by coming in from an open, country road where the speed limit is 60 mph, and although I know this is not acceptable as an excuse, I think that in certain circumstances, a warning should suffice.

Anyway, I will take my punishment as earned, and thanks to all who replied.

[spinchimp]

I have been caught speeding twice! The difference is I don't think it was unjust - it was a fair cop!

[Grunty]

PaulnCarole - Sorry I have been away and have just seen this.  The correct answer is that the notice must be sent within 14 days by first class post to the registered keeper of the vehicle.  If it is a company car, it is ok if it has been sent to the company even if the company have not told you.  If this wasn't done, how do you know you were caught?  The problem comes because since 1994, it no longer has to be sent by recorded delivery, and if the authorities say they posted it, the law assumes that you have received it.  If you do receive a summons, the person who posted it can be required to give details in court.  If you are only worried because the camera flashed, forget it.  Some of them have no film in them.  If the notice was sent correctly, they have 6 months to serve a summons.  If you have received a reminder notice, write and say that this is the first you have received.  They will probably tell you where and when the original notice was posted, but may allow you to pay the reduced amount for early payment.

[Grunty]

Sorry, I have just noticed that the details of the incident are from the same person who posted the question.  At first I thought it was someone else commenting on another incident.  In the circumstances, the notice has been correctly served on the sompany.