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Original poster

Think I may have been caught speeding by a police van?

57 replies

LadySparksWitch · 07/03/2026 17:24

I know, it’s my own fault. I was going about 36 or 37 in a 30 zone, I was keeping up with traffic, when I saw the van (a few seconds before) I realised and put the brakes on, got down to 30 or just under as I passed the van.

Am I still likely going to get a letter?
I have done one speed awareness course in 2021. Nothing since. Is it likely I’ll get another one?

OP posts:
FairCat · 07/03/2026 18:46

Jellytotsapplepie · 07/03/2026 18:21

Yes its never been that rule faircat is conjuring up, its never been that - its anything ovr 10% and thats it so 22 in a 20 and upwards

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Read the ACPO guidance

TheWickerWoman · 07/03/2026 18:42

I did it a few years ago. Was coming at one of those vans with a man holding up the speed detector thing. I wasn’t loads over but definitely over and convinced I would get a letter. Stressed me out for two weeks waiting but I didn’t., tell you what though, it really made me think and now I make sure I do not speed.

OhNoThankYou · 07/03/2026 18:37

LlynTegid · 07/03/2026 17:29

Be contrite, accept the points which you could get.

She’s admitted it and held her hands up, I don’t think she needs to be directed in her level of contriteness.

FairCat · 07/03/2026 18:36

Shade17 · 07/03/2026 18:21

Not all forces use the NPCC guidance, it’s fairly easy to find out online which ones do. Worst case for the OP is likely to be a course anyway so not the end of the world.

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Even 1 mph over is still an offence and the leeway is discretionary but in most cases ACPO guidance is used, there's usually an aggravating factor if it's ignored. Read the table in section 9.6

Jellytotsapplepie · 07/03/2026 18:35

FairCat · 07/03/2026 18:27

It's at individual police discretion but most forces observe the guidance

ACPO Guidance

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Doesn’t tell me
anything

I don’t believe it’s not uniform across the country

FairCat · 07/03/2026 18:27

Jellytotsapplepie · 07/03/2026 18:15

Not true

i got points at 24 mph

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It's at individual police discretion but most forces observe the guidance

ACPO Guidance

Think I may have been caught speeding by a police van?
Jellytotsapplepie · 07/03/2026 18:21

thenewaveragebear1983 · 07/03/2026 18:17

Also agree that @FairCatis incorrect, I got 34 in a 30 and got snapped. I am sure I have heard that now Speedo is all digital and therefore much more accurate there is no leeway of 10%

Yes its never been that rule faircat is conjuring up, its never been that - its anything ovr 10% and thats it so 22 in a 20 and upwards

Shade17 · 07/03/2026 18:21

thenewaveragebear1983 · 07/03/2026 18:17

Also agree that @FairCatis incorrect, I got 34 in a 30 and got snapped. I am sure I have heard that now Speedo is all digital and therefore much more accurate there is no leeway of 10%

Not all forces use the NPCC guidance, it’s fairly easy to find out online which ones do. Worst case for the OP is likely to be a course anyway so not the end of the world.

Itsmetheflamingo · 07/03/2026 18:18

LlynTegid · 07/03/2026 17:29

Be contrite, accept the points which you could get.

Be contrite- to a letter?! 😂

thenewaveragebear1983 · 07/03/2026 18:17

Also agree that @FairCatis incorrect, I got 34 in a 30 and got snapped. I am sure I have heard that now Speedo is all digital and therefore much more accurate there is no leeway of 10%

thenewaveragebear1983 · 07/03/2026 18:16

£100 fine and speed awareness course if it’s more than 3 years since your last offence. I hardly do any miles and annoyingly I got snapped on my way to a job interview last week. The letters come through super fast, you will know within a few days

Jellytotsapplepie · 07/03/2026 18:15

FairCat · 07/03/2026 18:10

If your speedometer said 36-37 your actual speed is likely 33-34, if so it's unlikely you'll get a ticket. ACPO guidance is to allow 10% +2 mph leeway, so 35 in a 30 zone. Either way you can do another speed awareness course if it's over 3 years since the last one.

Don't stress over it, anyone can have a lapse of concentration but you'll be fine

Not true

i got points at 24 mph

FairCat · 07/03/2026 18:10

If your speedometer said 36-37 your actual speed is likely 33-34, if so it's unlikely you'll get a ticket. ACPO guidance is to allow 10% +2 mph leeway, so 35 in a 30 zone. Either way you can do another speed awareness course if it's over 3 years since the last one.

Don't stress over it, anyone can have a lapse of concentration but you'll be fine

Trevordidit · 07/03/2026 17:56

LadySparksWitch · 07/03/2026 17:46

Points and a speed awareness? I thought it was one of the other?

I've been under the impression I had points that I don't have... yay!

Trevordidit · 07/03/2026 17:54

daisychain01 · 07/03/2026 17:49

You don't get points, that's the whole point, the payment you make is the same as the speeding fine, but it goes towards financing the course,

and you don't have to say anything to your insurance company if you do the course, but you certainly do if you get the fine and points,

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Ah you're right, I thought I had points + did a speed awareness course, that's good news!

Ilikewinter · 07/03/2026 17:53

LadySparksWitch · 07/03/2026 17:46

Points and a speed awareness? I thought it was one of the other?

It is, I also got caught doing 36mph in a 30mph area and had the choice. Bonus now is that you can do the course online!

daisychain01 · 07/03/2026 17:49

Trevordidit · 07/03/2026 17:44

You'll get points, a small fine and another speed awareness course.

Easy done!

You don't get points, that's the whole point, the payment you make is the same as the speeding fine, but it goes towards financing the course,

and you don't have to say anything to your insurance company if you do the course, but you certainly do if you get the fine and points,

daisychain01 · 07/03/2026 17:47

Request the option of the Speed Awareness course, top up and refresh your knowledge about why speeding happens and ways you can ensure you keep your speed down.

I've had to do two in the years I've been driving and a lot of the wisdom from the course has stuck with me, including not keeping up with the traffic and being willing to be tailgated by an impatient driver rather than being forced into increasing my speed. at times, I've even found a safe place and pulled over to let someone pass if they're that much in a hurry to get past. I don't care, as long as they're in front of me and not taking their impatience out on me.

LaMarschallin · 07/03/2026 17:47

LadySparksWitch · 07/03/2026 17:41

@LaMarschallin
I know, I’m stupid. It’s 100% on me, no excuses.

If it's any consolation I ended up on a SA course after being picked up doing 34mph then a week later doing 33mph in the same area!
I thought it was a 40 zone and that I was being cautious.
The first question they asked was about a picture of a street with street lamps: "What's the speed limit here?".
Hermione-like, I waggled my hand in the air and said "30mph!".
Then thought: so why didn't I know that when I was driving on a street with lightning?
Just proves the courses can be of use - I haven't made that mistake since.

Original poster
LadySparksWitch · 07/03/2026 17:46

Points and a speed awareness? I thought it was one of the other?

OP posts:
Trevordidit · 07/03/2026 17:44

You'll get points, a small fine and another speed awareness course.

Easy done!

Original poster
LadySparksWitch · 07/03/2026 17:41

@LaMarschallin
I know, I’m stupid. It’s 100% on me, no excuses.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadySparksWitch · 07/03/2026 17:40

@Ncforthis2267
I think I approached it from the back , I’m not sure but I can’t see how else it would be positioned as I was coming towards it. I did slow down but maybe not in time. I’ll have to wait and see if I receive anything in the post.

Of course I’ll take the fine if needs be, but I was wondering if I’d be eligible for another awareness course.

OP posts:
LaMarschallin · 07/03/2026 17:40

You'll probably remember from your last speed awareness course that "keeping up with traffic" is irrelevant.

Eta X-posted - sorry, @RhaenysRocks

Namechangetheyarewatching · 07/03/2026 17:37

Ncforthis2267 · 07/03/2026 17:33

Did you approach it from the front or rear? I believe the front camera is just CCTV to catch the plates of speeding motorbikes rather than the actual speed camera.

If you approached from the front you are probably ok if you had slowed by the time you passed it.

The vans now have fisheye and 360 technology

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