Even though a speeding offence in the UK is a common driving offence, it’s in your best interest to hire a solicitor. They can help inform you of your options and try to contest your case. If you are charged with a speeding offence, here are some crucial details you should know about it.
Speeding Offence in the UK
There are two ways that you can be charged for a speeding offence in the UK.
The first is being stopped by the police. Most suspects of a speeding offence receive a verbal Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) by the police. A NIP is a notice that explains that you will be prosecuted for a driving offence. This notice is time-sensitive. Therefore, you must respond to it within the appropriate time to avoid any penalties. It’s also in your best interest to seek advice from an experienced and trained solicitor before you respond to the NIP.
The second case is that you may be charged for a speeding offence without the police stopping you. It’s more common for motorists to be charged for a speeding offence in the UK without any police involvement. In this case, you may learn about your offence through a letter delivered to your place of residence.
What the Penalty for a Speeding Offence in the UK Is
A driving offence can lead to 3 to 6 penalty points. In addition to that, you may have to pay a fine of up to £1000. You may also be disqualified from driving for as long as 56 days. Cumulating penalty points may result in a longer driving disqualification, which may be six months or longer.
What you must understand is that you have the right to check all evidence for your speeding offence. Therefore, you can ensure that the charges against you are accurate, and you can determine if you can contest the charge. In addition to that, the Crown Protection Service may even drop your case entirely if it is unable to locate the evidence of your speeding. Keeping track of all pieces of evidence for every offender can become difficult as that requires considerable resources. Therefore, requesting the evidence for your case may even help your case be dissolved altogether.
You should note that it is not an easy process to acquire the evidence for your case. The Crown Protection Service is typically reluctant to provide any information about the case.
Last Few Words
A speeding offence in the UK may not seem like much, but it can result in unnecessary payments and driving disqualification. Thus, it’s best to hire a solicitor to review your case. They can help you explore your options for contesting the case and requesting to view the evidence against you. Of course, you should also try to be mindful of the traffic laws to stay away from these driving offences altogether.