Contesting a speeding ticket

[chrispattinson]

I just recieved notification of speeding (40MPH in a 30MPH) zone. The photograph does not show the driver at all, its from the rear of the vehicle.

Can I contest this ticket, by saying I dont know who was driving? Anyone have any experience with this?

[DCM]

you can, but there is a chance that although you could possibly dodge the points (I doubt it these days) then unless you can provide a name and address of the driver, you will still be hit with the fine (and costs)

[Lee]

Yes chris, you have to send back a letter saying you do not know who it was and could they send a photo to show the driver (knowing they cant) so you can help them with their enquiries. It usually stops there, but if they do send one even if it blatantly you send them another letter saying along the lines of you have used all diligence and you are still unable to identify the driver, but give them names and addresses of people you think it could be, like the mrs or a friend etc, and if the police ask these they just say no it wasnt them either.

[DCM]

they have clamped down a lot in the past year though, and the loophole is being closed.

[RSharpy]

I got done in a company car, so we kept contesting it and eventually they wrote it off and gave up. They tend to be just after quick money.

It all depends if you are the only named driver or not?

[chrispattinson]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll take you up on that advice Lee, see how I get on.

[DCM]

before you punt letters off, do a little google research and see how people are contesting it.

[Lee]

Yeah chris you can get pre written letters on ebay for about 3 quid, you just add your name and the case number.

[Southwell]

You sped, have the balls to own up to it. Thats the risk you take by speeding.

As far as i know if you don't tell them who was driving they can just give you the points anyway.

[col300]

may be of some use

password: fd4h8ec92hw

http://www.intranetics.co.uk/SPG/SpeedTrapGuide.pdf

regards.

Col.

[JCJC]

Originally Posted by col300

may be of some use

password: fd4h8ec92hw

http://www.intranetics.co.uk/SPG/SpeedTrapGuide.pdf

regards.

Col.

Password protected !

[Southwell]

Originally Posted by JCJC

Password protected !

password: fd4h8ec92hw

[DCM]

Originally Posted by Southwell

You sped, have the balls to own up to it. Thats the risk you take by speeding.

As far as i know if you don't tell them who was driving they can just give you the points anyway.

as the owner of the vehicle, they can take the stance that, if you can't provide the correct information, then they can apply the points to the owners licence and the fine.... thats why companies who have a pool car make you sign it out and in....

[frogger]

I got a speed fine through a week ago and it clearly states that should you ask for photographs or evidence that it will not be presented to you but to the court so they have closed the loop. You have to be real sure you want to go down that route.

If it's a company car and the company doesn't keep logs of who drives the car at what point then you have a strong case unless the offence has occured near your house or something where they have a reasonable case to say that only you live in the area kind of thing.

[RLGfx]

just take the points aznd fine, and learn from your mistake... it's not like speed cameras aren't big and yellow...

[Chris Harte]

Consider yourself lucky only getting three points. Driving instructors get three points and the pupil at the time gets three points. Thats six points!
Anyhow it only lasts three or five years and it's only sixty quid isn't it?
Not saying speeding is right but you can't argue about the speed limit either because if there is street lights and no speed indications and no signs on the road telling you the distance to a junction the speed is 30MPH. Anything over and it has to tell you.

Just found this, might be of interest to note the line "The NIP must be sent to the driver within 14 days"

[chrispattinson]

Fair points made. It seems more hassle than its worth to appeal. I'll just I was driving.
I wonder if a model car would activate a speed camera?

[JCJC]

Originally Posted by Southwell

password: fd4h8ec92hw

oops, sorry did not spot that......

Edit: Interesting document thanks

[burgie]

Originally Posted by chrispattinson

Fair points made. It seems more hassle than its worth to appeal. I'll just I was driving.
I wonder if a model car would activate a speed camera?

they do.....just make sure your real car is behind the speed camera though, as apparently driving a model car on the highway is an offense in itself

[Chrislong]

I got done in 2006 for doing 36 in a 30. I was in a company car on the A62 in Huddersfield on a part of road which WAS national speed limit, few speed signs. I did see the trap and slowed right down, and I mean right down, as I wasn't sure of the limit, but I was sure was doing sub 30 when I saw it anyway.

Company didn't name me, asked for photos which they sent (took 24hrs) and it clearly showed me scratching my chin.

So I looking into contesting it, and found alsorts of letter templates to use and ways of responding - which had worked but they'd already closed the loop by the time I needed it.

Upon reading forums and stuff about it, found more people that hadn't got away with it and had been fined the offence plus expenses = £ 4 figure sum, and they all said don't bother, take the fine. The few who had got away with it were being a bit too big headed about it, and I wonder if they're just BS'ing.

Oh and I got caught at something like 800yds, and people will tell you the equipment they use is not accurate at that distance. In USA tickets regularly get dropped due to that, but never in the UK - there was actually a whole "Tonight with Trever McDonald" in 2006 as I remember watching it while I was umming over my NOIP.

Id take the hit, the years soon pass til its taken off your license - I should know, I keep getting a speeding fine just as one expires from my license.