{"id":8816,"date":"2020-10-05T16:02:01","date_gmt":"2020-10-05T15:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reddrivingschool.com\/?p=8816"},"modified":"2020-10-05T16:02:01","modified_gmt":"2020-10-05T15:02:01","slug":"speeding-fines-the-5-most-common-speeding-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reddrivingschool.com\/2020\/10\/speeding-fines-the-5-most-common-speeding-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"Speeding fines – the 5 most common speeding myths"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
There are a large amount of speeding myths out there, whether they\u2019re to do with finding loopholes to avoid a speeding fine or just confusion around certain speeding grey areas or laws. We\u2019re going to bust some of these most common myths and provide you with the answers that you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
1. If I get caught speeding, I can avoid getting points by requesting to take a speed awareness course.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is very much false. There are criteria for being able to take a speed awareness course and you\u2019re not able to request that you take the course, it\u2019s completely down to whether this gets offered to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to be eligible for a speed awareness course, you have to match the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You haven\u2019t been convicted of any other speeding offences in the past 3 years.<\/li>
You’ve been caught driving over 10% plus 2mph over the limit, but below 10% plus 9mph (can be dependent on the individual Police force).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
So, generally speaking, this is usually only an option offered to you if it\u2019s a lesser offence (only driving slightly over the speed limit) and you have a relatively clean record. Try not to end up speeding and you won\u2019t have to do a course, or get points on your licence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
2. You have to be speeding at least 10% over the limit plus 2mph to get caught.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This has some truth to it, but in terms of technicality – this is false. In simple terms, if the speed limit is 50 mph and you\u2019re driving at 51 mph, you\u2019re breaking the speed limit and are therefore liable to receive the punishment for speeding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With this being said, the 10% rule isn\u2019t actually a \u201crule\u201d and acts more as a guideline for police forces to aid their decision on the severity of the offence and what punishment would be suitable, whether that\u2019s a speed awareness course, speeding fine or court summons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s likely that a police officer won\u2019t stop you and issue a speeding fine for going over the limit by 1mph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
3. I can\u2019t be charged because the speed camera van wasn\u2019t visible.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This used to be true, but unfortunately the laws around it were scrapped and it\u2019s now no longer applicable. Police are able to set up their speed cameras in unmarked cars and have even been noted to be operating in tractors or horseboxes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under old laws, police operating speed cameras would have to be wearing high-vis clothing and use marked police cars. But with these laws scrapped, you\u2019ll be able to pick up a speeding fine from an officer hiding out in undercover cars or as previously seen, even a tractor. So don\u2019t risk it, and follow the law by driving within the speed limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
4. There were no signs warning me of the upcoming speed camera and the speed camera wasn\u2019t painted yellow.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although speed cameras were to be painted yellow to make them more visible back in 2016, speed cameras don\u2019t have to be visible and if you get caught by one that isn\u2019t visible, that doesn\u2019t mean that your speeding fine is going to be invalid. This also applies to speed camera warning signs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the vast majority of speed cameras are visible and have signs warning you of them. If you end up getting caught by one that wasn\u2019t sign posted or particularly visible, you won\u2019t get left off the hook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
5. Speed cameras are just there to make money.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It might feel like speed cameras are just implemented to grab money, especially with police hiding out in unmarked cars to catch you speeding when you least expect it. But really they\u2019re mainly just used as a deterrent and to make the roads safer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter how good a driver you are, the faster that you\u2019re driving, the higher the chance of losing control of your vehicle and the harder it becomes to react to situations and stop. Speed limits are implemented to protect both the driver and others, speed cameras are how they enforce these limits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.reddrivingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/GettyImages-1157826550-1-1024x684.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.reddrivingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/GettyImages-904562968-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.reddrivingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/GettyImages-172300122-1-1024x680.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.reddrivingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/GettyImages-537178976-1-1024x822.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.reddrivingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/GettyImages-1200124411-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"