Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be terrified I'll lose my license

434 replies

PepsiMaxx0 · 04/04/2024 10:15

I have a clean driving license. Driving for over 40 years with no incidents. Like many others I sometimes go over the limit on motorways if I consider it safe to do so....
I was travelling back from Manchester airport on the m62 during the early hours of this morning. Almost empty motorway. Doing about 80mph average I would say. Occasionally crept to 85. I noticed a camera flash on the gantry. No limits were lit up. I assumed it was from the other side and carried on. Several miles later it did it again and yes for a 3rd time which is when I thought this is too much of a coincidence it must be me! I've just woken and have that sick feeling. The only defence I can offer is motorway was empty, it was between 4 - 5 am this happened and I do not think I was driving dangerously. I just wanted to get home to bed after a late night flight. What will be the penalty for this?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
GasPanic · 04/04/2024 10:23

Its hard to say whether you will get fined or not. For example they might set the camera to flash only between 75 and 85 mph to give a warning. And only issue a fine if it is over 85 mph. Or they may only fine when the limits are displayed, but the cameras will still flash anyway. So you will just have to wait and see.

I have a rule never to go through those motorway gantry cameras more than 10 mph over the limit (either the full limit or what is displayed). So far I have never been fined.

If you are getting flashed it is at the very minimum a warning. So you should slow down.

80 going through a no limit gantry cam, I would be surprised if you got fined. When you take into account your speedo is also probably reading over. 85 I think is probably starting to get into the territory where it is a possibility.

At the end of the day you will just have to wait and see.

Christmastree455555 · 04/04/2024 10:23

The M62 is riddled with cameras, the average speed doesn’t have to be up. anything over the speed limit will trigger them.
so you probably have been flashed three times. Depending on the speed you were actually doing the first one you probably will get a speed awareness course for, based on the 10% + 2 rule… so basically up to 79 it would be speed awareness. The next you might be get points for - so six all in all.

You won’t lose your licence don’t panic

Seeline · 04/04/2024 10:23

Why on earth didn't you think the camera would be flashing you? You were consistently driving at 10-15 over the already high speed limit?! The speed limit applies at night. And when the motorway isn't busy.
Could you have reacted when some other idiot driving at what they thought wasn't a dangerous speed lost control of their vehicle?

I hope you do lose your licence.

squashyhat · 04/04/2024 10:21

Why didn't you slow down the first time you got flashed?

DappledThings · 04/04/2024 10:20

I've been flashed a couple of times and nothing's ever happened. Sometimes it looks like a flash but it's actually bridges doing funny things with how lights from oncoming traffic appear to flash as the bridge temporarily interrupts them.

PelvicFloorClenchReminder · 04/04/2024 10:20

The best way to not get prosecuted is not to do the crime.

Mrsttcno1 · 04/04/2024 10:19

You do realise that’s not a defence don’t you? The law is the law, it’s not the just a recommendation dependent on whether YOU believe it’s safe to do so.

If you were going 85 in a 70 and were caughty numerous times it’s unlikely you’ll be offered an awareness course as being 15mph over IS dangerous driving, so points, fine & a ban potentially.

oprahwindsock · 04/04/2024 10:18

Hopefully you'll get points and a fine, maybe even a ban. Speeding kills.

Samlewis96 · 04/04/2024 10:16

Maximum of 9 points