UK Speeding Penalties
In the Uk there are 5 basic speeding offence codes that refer to different speeding circumstances. The vehicle that you are driving is subject to it’s own speed limits and usage.
These are;
SP10
Goods vehicle speed limit. Goods vehicles below 7.5T are restricted to 50mph on single carriageways, and vehicles over 7.5T are limited to 40mph.
SP20
A little used code relates to types of vehicles such as tractors etc. which have their own speed limits on different roads.
SP30
One of the most common speed codes, covers cars in national speed limits 20mph near schools & pedestrian zones etc., 30mph in built up areas, 40mph, 50mph, 60mph on single carriageways and 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
SP40
Passenger vehicle speed related offences. Different size passenger vehicles are subject to different speed limits on certain roads. These speed offences can soon cost professional drivers their jobs.
SP50
Motorway speed offences covering 70 mph for cars, and 60 mph for towing and goods vehicles that exceed 7.5 T.
SP50 earns 3 – 6 points and depending on your speed at the time of the offence a discretionary ban.
Speed Offence Points
Points with these speeding offence codes stay on your licence for 4 years from the date of offence. Avoid speeding points by asking pattersonlaw.co.uk how to defend your licence.
You cannot be convicted on the basis of uncorroborated opinion evidence of a police office. It is a legal requirement that they use an approved speed detection device to corroborate their opinion.
To be convicted the prosecution have to prove that you;
- Were the driver
- Were on a public road or in a public place
- Were driving a motor vehicle
- Were exceeding the speed limit
All you need to do is to cast a doubt on any of the points above and by law you must be found not guilty.
Defending a Speed Allegation
The most common defence is to contest the technical evidence against you, or in other words, to prove that the device used to corroborate the police officers allegation wasn’t used correctly and in line with Home office approval.
These arguments often include calibration certificates, pre and post duty checks, the ability range of the device.
Speeding is getting harder to defend successfully as devices become more advanced. You will in most cases require expert testimony to support your defence.