My day in court today for speeding

**mladen** · 17th February 2004

Well, the background to this is that I was caught doing 101mph on the A449 (70mph) about 4 months ago. Hence, I was summoned to appear before Gwent (blackwood) magistrates court.

Got there about 9:15 and was first one there. Got there even before the judges. I was due to appear at 10:00. There were a few others there for speeding too. Anyway, went in and they read the charges, I plead guilty. They say they they are considering banning me and if I have anything to say about the offence or how that would affect me. I said yes, and I handed them 4 references that I had got off work, and other people high up that I knew well. I also had a load of things to say but as soon as they read the references they handed out the sentence....

�100 fine (+�35 costs) and banned for 7 days. NO POINTS

Should I be considering an appeal because I had more to say? They didnt let me speak much. Or should I just leave it?

**Thrush** · 17th February 2004

You lucky *******!!!

**Thrush** · 17th February 2004

appeal are you insane? You have got off lightly! No points!

**monsta** · 17th February 2004

The 7 day ban is a bitch i suppose, but no points for doing nearly 50% above the speed limit supprises me. I dont drive, but most people I know do speed, and its accepted to add 10% to the limit and appear "safe". But fact is you broke the law, driving a vehicle way above the limit, and got punished. If your legal advice is that an appeal can reduce this then go for it, but if it was me I think id just walk away from it.

**rooonga** · 17th February 2004

Feckin hell NO!

Accept it and be happy!

My Bro has 6 points on his licence for doing 50 in a 40 zone, these stay with him for years! (His insurance has gone up now cos of it!)

I recon you got off well with this. If I were you I'd swallow the fine. If you appeal there is just as much chance that they'd give you points and a longer ban.

**Nikki** · 17th February 2004

You lucky fu**er, NO POINTS, very lucky indeed, id keep shut and take whats already come. :-)

Nik

**mladen** · 17th February 2004

Another guy who got caught doing 100mph on the same road on the same date got �100 fine too and 5 POINTS, no ban.

There was one guy there appearing who was doing 86mph in a 50mph who got a 56 day ban. Not sure about points and fine.

And another guy was there got caught doing 68mph in a 30mph. Didn't wait to see what he got, but I cant imagine it was gonna be good news for him. He got there late, was dressed in trackies and burbery and when the usher asked if he had driven down he said yes. She told him that he was almost certainly going to lose his licence for it and he was like, "ooh i dunno about that". What a fool.

And downstairs in the courts the people there just amazed me. I've never seen so much riff-raff concregated in one area before. I felt so intimidated walking out going through them all. I was dressed quite smartly and they were all like scallys.

Also, another thing they said that i wasn't entitled to a duty solicitor because it was a motoring offence. So I had to do everything myself.

**Robbo** · 17th February 2004

Nice one, by the way who are the people high up you mentioned ?
Just in case I need a ref :whistle

**jimbob2002** · 17th February 2004

is this serious, are you really considering appealing, are you that stupid, do you really need our advice on this?

Considering speed cameras catch thousands of people per day sometimes only doing 5-10 mph over the limit on 30 and 40 roads and are subjecting to 3 points on their licencses, and heres you tonning it down the A449, and getting caught. Over the magic number 100! and all you get is a week's ban, which is so easy to just drive during, (I mean how often have you been pulled for nothing), and only a 100bar fine!

I say appeal, then they'd probably give you the points!

**Q-Buster** · 17th February 2004

If I were you, I'd buy a lottery ticket today

Q-Buster

**mladen** · 17th February 2004

Fair enough, I'll keep my mouth shut.

My references were....
- Lady I know who works for Citizens Advice Bureau and is a member of some legal body
- My work manager (Whitbread)
- Security Manager of a Hospital
- Antiques market owner who knows me well

**corskey** · 17th February 2004

Give the honourable member a shout - maybe he could add some points

Though on a more serious note, this will probably jack your insurance up a wee bit

**jjatlas** · 17th February 2004

my brother had the same experience, two courts running at same time, one handing out s,mall fines but 5 - 7 points. the other larger fines with wee long bans, he got the ban, made the missus drive for a week and got back in the saddle after seven days of back seat driving

will your DL show a ban ??did you have to surrender it?

why appeal, relax for 7 days, if you have to drive for work take a few days off , sure the boss will be ok as he gave you a reference.

**maverick_15** · 17th February 2004

you got off light mate, the 7 day ban is nothing and no points is ****ing lucky.

**mladen** · 17th February 2004

I guess so, I don't need my car to go to uni or work. I can walk that no problems. In fact, I rarely use my car and wouldnt have used it this week anyway.

Do you reckon the other guy doing 100 got off lighter?

**Soulassassin** · 17th February 2004

Jeeezzz....I got caught doin 45mph in a temporary 30mph zone, on a DUAL CARRAGEWAY and got 4 points and �300 + �35 fine...........

Yep if i was you i would appeal, at least it might make me happier....

**Tammer** · 17th February 2004

hell no, you've easily got the best deal...Probably because of the way you presented yourself. Just think of it, in a week you will have a clean license, and only �100 out of pocket. If i ever get caught speeding, which luckily i havent yet..(because of no film in camera's) I'd be jumping for joy with such a light charge

**maverick_15** · 17th February 2004

the points i think have to be declared to insurance companies now who might whack up your premium. he didnt get off lighter i dont think

**aramis** · 17th February 2004

you lucky f*****, i thought that the law stipulated that if you broke the 100mph barrier and got caught, it was an automatic ban. this is where the speeding system is fcked up. you can get 6 points on your license for being like 8 mph over in a 50 or 60 limit, but u get some crazy f*** (no offence intended here mladen) doing over 100 and they get a ban for 7 days....its crazy! good skills on getting off so lightly tho!

**mladen** · 17th February 2004

Originally Posted by aramis

you lucky f*****, i thought that the law stipulated that if you broke the 100mph barrier and got caught, it was an automatic ban. this is where the speeding system is fcked up. you can get 6 points on your license for being like 8 mph over in a 50 or 60 limit, but u get some crazy f*** (no offence intended here mladen) doing over 100 and they get a ban for 7 days....its crazy! good skills on getting off so lightly tho!

Yes, I was crazy. A complete nutcase! My highest is 130mph on the M5, but didnt get caught with that. THANK GOD!

I am a completely changed driver now though. I triple guarantee you I will never get another speeder again. I am very careful with my speed now.