SJP - Exceeding Temporary 30mph Limit |
SJP - Exceeding Temporary 30mph Limit |
Sat, 18 Sep 2021 - 10:33
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 36 Joined: 4 Dec 2017 Member No.: 95,397 |
Hi all,
I am looking for advice on how to proceed and whether I realistically have a defence. On 01/08/2021 I was travelling on a road that I had never travelled on before to a destination I had never been to before, I was driving on a dual carriageway following the map on my in-car display. Briefly looking at my in-car display, I drove past a sign informing me of the temporary speed limit. My map said the road was 70mph, as it typically is on a dual carriageway. The map obviously did not recognise the temporary speed limit. I missed the sign but conscious of the fact that there were clearly roadworks and signs that I couldn't see on the other side of the road, I began dropping my speed from 70mph until I could see another sign. Further up I could see a motorbike on the other side of the cones and someone dressed in all black, I began dropping my speed even more to get a better look at what this person was doing. It was a Police Officer that was scanning vehicles speed as they go past. Further up I am flagged down by a Police Officer and cautioned for speeding, told me it was a 30mph limit and I was doing 55mph. The Officer took my details, told me that I would likely get a FPN or offer of a speed awareness course in the post. Told me to be mindful of my speed and off I go. Fast forward to today, I received a SJP Notice in the post, inviting me to submit a plea within 21 days for my speeding offence. Citing that my speed was too high to be considered for a conditional FPN. I admit that I was speeding. I don't dispute the speed I was going at. I would obviously prefer to take the speed awareness course (if that was an option) - but I don't want to plead not guilty, provide my defence (which is that I was driving on an unfamiliar road, checking my location on my maps seeing that the speed was 70mph and subsequently missing the sign that says 30mph before getting caught at 55mph), and then be found guilty regardless and pay even more. Should I just suck this one up and take the punishment or do I have a reasonable enough defence? |
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Sat, 18 Sep 2021 - 10:33
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Sat, 18 Sep 2021 - 10:48
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 213 Joined: 21 Jul 2021 Member No.: 113,431 |
Two reasons you’re not going to get a course:
1) 55mph in a 30mph puts you (considerably) outside the threshold for being offered a course 2) You have received SJP letter, so the matter is now being dealt with by the courts who don’t offer courses, only the force area dealing can. You have no defence based on what you have told us. This post has been edited by BluntyMcCrow2: Sat, 18 Sep 2021 - 10:52 |
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Sat, 18 Sep 2021 - 10:56
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#3
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Member Group: Members Posts: 36 Joined: 4 Dec 2017 Member No.: 95,397 |
Two reasons you’re not going to get a course: 1) 55mph in a 30mph puts you (considerably) outside the threshold for being offered a course 2) You have received SJP letter, so the matter is now being dealt with by the courts who don’t offer courses, only the force area dealing can. You have no defence based on what you have told us. Thanks for your response! Consider my question asked and answered then |
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Sat, 18 Sep 2021 - 10:58
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#4
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Member Group: Life Member Posts: 24,213 Joined: 9 Sep 2004 From: Reading Member No.: 1,624 |
In a 30 limit, the maximum speed for an SAC is 42mph and for a COFP 49mph. Either the trained traffic officer did not know this, or he lied to you to reduce the likelihood of a confrontation.
-------------------- Andy
Some people think that I make them feel stupid. To be fair, they deserve most of the credit. |
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Sat, 18 Sep 2021 - 12:46
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 3,074 Joined: 17 Nov 2015 Member No.: 80,686 |
If you glanced at your SstNav and missed the 30 mph sign it begs the question (s) of....was there one? If so how do you know?
It's rare, but you could check the road is correctly limited, properly signed, signed in the right place etc? It is not common but some road work contractors scatter signs all over....sometimes where the limit doesn't apply. As it was a copper who pulled you it's even less likely but no-one's perfect and it costs nothing to find out? |
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Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: Thursday, 28th March 2024 - 11:48 |