When you first start to learn how to drive, the biggest telling off you’ll more than likely get from your instructor is NOT to speed. When you’ve passed your test and you’re deemed fit to drive a car on your own, what’s the first lesson you forget? Yes! Sticking to the speed limit, even if you’re shaking your head as you read these words, just think about it for a moment? There are times when you will have broken the limit even if you’re not being reckless.
Today, as a new driver, you’re going to learn about some of the things you think might get you off the hook when in fact they definitely won’t!
1. There Were No Signs Indicating a 30 MPH Speed Limit
The only time 30mph speed limit signs are required is when it may change along a particular road. For example, if you’re allowed to drive at 50mph but then it’s reduced to 30mph you will know this by a sign. However, this lower limit is in place when there are street lights at the side of the road and they’re at least 200 yards apart so don’t think you’ll get away with this excuse if you’re stopped!
2.The Police Officer Was Not Wearing a High-Viz Jacket
This really is pushing it a bit far. If you receive a fine through the post telling you that you were caught speeding when a police officer was using detection equipment and he/she was not wearing a high-viz jacket, this will not go down well with the court. There are recommendations in place about this but it won’t stop you being fined.
3. The Picture Taken by a Speed Camera Wasn’t Me
This is probably one of the most common excuses the courts receive when drivers are contesting a speeding fine. It might be true, you could have leant your car to someone-else and they were photographed speeding. However, this system is in place purely to measure the speed at which a vehicle is travelling and not to identify who it was.
No matter who was behind the wheel, the registered keeper will be responsible for paying the fine. So, for all you youngsters out there, watch out when Dad says you can take his car for a “spin”!
4. There Should be Two Police Officers Present
This is NOT the case (except when you’re on the motorway). You may think that it’s your word against theirs but, the law is there for a reason and becoming a police officer takes a lot of training and hard work. Once they are qualified, the law is on their side. This means a speeding offence can be handed out by just one officer by simply corroborating what he/she has to say by looking at their speedometer.
So, there you have it….
There are loads of other reasons that people think they can’t be “done” for speeding and nearly all of them will not hold any weight in court. The fact is, if you know you’ve broken the law by speeding, you should accept your punishment and be more careful in future.
