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Caught doing 80mph on m/way - need advice


jamieg
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Hi,

Anyone in the know that can help please?

I've been away and I was going up the M6 at 80mph, I was in the middle lane and this means I would have been overtaking as I know how to drive correctly and my lane discipline is very very good, I was being overtaken by another car at the time and there was a mobile camera van on a bridge, I was always under the impression that doing 80mph was tolerated however on my return home I've a notice of intended prosecution for doing 80mph "exceeding a speed restriction of 70mph."

Where do I stand here and what can I do? I know I was doing 80mph as I clearly remember checking this when I saw the mobile camera van.

The weather was fine and the roads were very clear.

I have various options in how to respond however I was the driver and have only option 4 on the reply to notice that applies other than paying the fine and taking the points, option 4 is "I wish for the matter to be heard at court" no other options like requesting their evidence or anything. There is a contact telephone number but I've not tried to contact to discuss yet.

Thanks in advance.

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80mph? is that all, just take it as a lesson learnt. It has nothing to do with road conditions, the weather, and everyone else drives at that speed. The speed limit on that stretch of motorway was 70mph you were doing 80mph (breaking the law), tick the box and send it back - UNLESS you have points already?

Edited by Andy_Bangle
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The very most you're going to get is 3 points and a £60 fine, although I too suspect it'll be a speed awareness course. I don't see what point there'd be to appealing either - because you'll lose. If it's a speed awareness course then it'll cost you £80-ish but no points.

Mobile cameras will get you at any speed over 77 mph on a motorway as I understand it. It's the police squad cars that will allow you to get away with up to 80-85mph (generally).

As a final point though - the M6 is legendary for mobile camera vans. I must admit it's one of two roads in particular that I am always very cautious indeed on.

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The form you have is set up as a perfect prisoner's dilemma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner's_dilemma). You either cooperate with them and take the course or 3 points/£60, or you ask for the evidence and have to argue the issue in Court and risk a more severe sentence.

The justification is that this is more efficient because their systems can never go wrong. However, it means that their systems are never tested. It's very wrong, and it stinks of blackmail.

There's no choice though. For 80 in a 70, you'd be mad to contest it.

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The location for this alleged offence was M6 Cumwhinton Travelling North, 343880 552915

Cheers for the advice guys.

I was without a doubt doing 80mph, I have been offered the NSAC instead of taking the three points but I just feel really hard done by getting booked at 80mph and trying to see if there is a way of taking this further. Obviously I don't want to go to court and risk paying a way higher price. Can you get pictures without going to court?

Could it have tracked the car next to me overtaking me as this car did move lane into the middle once it passed me.

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The part I'm questioning is the fact I was doing 80 and was clocked at 80, most people drive at 80 and above just seems really harsh. I always thought and as posted up here that there was a margin of error so my speed should have been around 75. I'm only questioning if they have clocked the wrong car as I'm really surprised to be in this position for doing 80 and the NIP says 80 so I was thinking and as posted up here by someone else did they make an error by clocking the car overtaking me.

Yeah I know it's bad luck.

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I'm not saying it's not harsh, I think it's pretty crap to be honest.

However I'm not sure standing up in court and admitting to 80 in a 70 and but complaining that you shouldn't get done is much of a defence :grin:

It's like me arguing that while I admit I was drunk and disorderly, I wasn't as drunk as the arresting officer made out.

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I'm in the same position, albeit 42* in a 30. If you want to see any justification for why they are sending you the NIP, you have to go to court and you risk a higher penalty and legal costs. If you want the course or the £60/3 points offer, you have to roll over.

It stinks. It is blackmail to prevent anyone from querying them, to prevent any legal oversight of their operating methods. But you'd have to be mad not to go along with it.

*which I wasn't doing, I was doing 39... :uhoh:

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Just take the speed awareness course.

It's speeding and you've been unlucky, but you can be assured there'll be a lot more people done for the same speed on that day.

I don't see how you'll get anywhere at all by challenging it. You'll just waste time and effort and end up with the same result in my opinion.

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If you were doing 80 and the limit is 70, you've technically broken the law, even if your speedo is out, so I'd bend over and take the penalty points (likely 3) and fine (likely £60).

I'd not advise going down the requesting photos and contesting it in court. It'll cost you a shed-load of money and your fine will likely be higher (speaking from experience when I disputed a 48 in a 40 offence when I was driving to work on a Sunday morning because there was a fire at the office :eek:

If you do decide to take it to court, do NOT say you were doing 80 :roflmao:

3 pts and £60 will have minimal effect on your insurance premiums.

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