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Original poster

Speed ticket

64 replies

MyLoyalAmberHelper · 01/06/2026 12:43

Absolutely fuming to have a speeding ticket. 3mph over the 30. It was 7 in the morning half term so very quiet on the road. Speed trap with speed gun. I never go that way normally but was giving someone a lift to work as a favour.

Its my first spending ticket in 40 years of driving, also never had an accident, i feel I am a good driver . Im fuming because over the past few weeks i have witnessed some awful driving, that's really dangerous with no consequences. Am i being unreasonable to be so annoyed.

OP posts:
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Thechaseison71 · 01/06/2026 22:01

NailsForChristmas · 01/06/2026 21:38

If you get the course, make sure to shop around for the cheapest council to book it through. The prices vary significantly. You don't have to take it with somewhere local to you. My DP did it online at least than half the price it was for one in our local area.

Lol kind of unfair to us who cant hear stuff on a screen without subtitles so had to attend in person

NailsForChristmas · 01/06/2026 21:38

If you get the course, make sure to shop around for the cheapest council to book it through. The prices vary significantly. You don't have to take it with somewhere local to you. My DP did it online at least than half the price it was for one in our local area.

Shade17 · 01/06/2026 21:34

GoogolB · 01/06/2026 21:30

That is a myth. Speedometers are much more accurate now and set so that if you are doing 33 it probably says 37. So you have no excuse and sone police forces are cracking down. If you speed, you are always at risk of being caught and charged.

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It’s not a myth, it’s the NPCC guidelines. Many forces operate within that but officers do have discretion.

Joolay · 01/06/2026 21:34

Well, you're not a good driver because the limit is 30

GoogolB · 01/06/2026 21:30

chirrupybird · 01/06/2026 12:50

Do you get an option of a speed awareness course rather than points on your licence and a fine? If so take it.

I thought they usually allow 10% plus 2mph over, which would be 35 mph, to allow for calibration and other variables like line of sight and weather conditions, you could try to dispute how fast you were going if you are going to get a fine and points.

That is a myth. Speedometers are much more accurate now and set so that if you are doing 33 it probably says 37. So you have no excuse and sone police forces are cracking down. If you speed, you are always at risk of being caught and charged.

Jopo12 · 01/06/2026 20:55

Your Speedo probably read 35 or 36 if the speed registered you at 33.
Sadly limits don't change for time of day, busyness of roads or for how good a driver someone thinks they are. It's an absolute limit, no variaes, and if you weren't paying enough attention not to get caught then I'm sorry to say you're not quite as good a driver as you think you are.

The best advice is to take it on the chin, book onto a speed awareness course and be humble about your mistake.

Shade17 · 01/06/2026 20:55

grumpygrape · 01/06/2026 20:29

Police speed equipment is calibrated each time they go out.

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It is, but there’s still a tolerance. Think it’s +/- 2mph up to a certain speed.

WhatcakeshalIbaketoday · 01/06/2026 20:49

I stick to 30 and 40 limits very diligently. Many idiots don’t give a damn about even trying to keep to the speed limit. They’re the ones who deserve the fines. I get a lot of speeding ws where I live. It’s a miracle no accidents have happened.

grumpygrape · 01/06/2026 20:29

FateAmenableToChange · 01/06/2026 18:19

The reason for the guidance is if it goes to court its difficult to prove it wasn't a device accuracy issue. Hence the window of tolerance. So if they choose not to follow the guidance, they risk it being thrown out. Depends on your appetite for challenge.

Police speed equipment is calibrated each time they go out.

jackspratswife01 · 01/06/2026 19:19

download Waze and use on the roads it’s useful for identifying cameras while driving especially roads you don’t know well

Shade17 · 01/06/2026 19:15

autumn1610 · 01/06/2026 18:57

I got told the same at mine. Someone in there was 32 I think in a 30 which surprised me and them and that’s when he told us it’s a myth.

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It’s not a myth as such, it’s the guidance set out by the NPCC. Many forces operate within this guidance but officers do have discretion to take action at speeds lower than 10% +2mph.

S89 · 01/06/2026 19:07

I feel you OP. I was recently caught doing 35mph in a 30. Annoying but fair enough, I attended a speeding awareness course. 2 months later I was caught again doing 22mph in a 20 by a mobile speed trap, on a road that changes from 30 to 20. I was livid. It's nothing more than a means of generating revenue and now I am stuck with 3 points for the next 3 years.

autumn1610 · 01/06/2026 18:57

uhhuhyeahok · 01/06/2026 14:24

I did a speed awareness course a few years ago and the instructor told us the 10% thing is a myth.

I got told the same at mine. Someone in there was 32 I think in a 30 which surprised me and them and that’s when he told us it’s a myth.

LuckyHazelFox · 01/06/2026 18:54

Most annoying when you've done someone a favour and wouldn't have gone that way.

Theseagullsarenowclouds · 01/06/2026 18:51

happybug1234 · 01/06/2026 14:11

It happens to everyone, they need to raise revenue so will set up as many traps as they can.

It doesn't happen to everyone.
Lots of drivers can monitor the speedo, read the road and check signs. I always keep a shade under the speed limit.

Judellie · 01/06/2026 18:46

Got my first ever speeding ticket the other week too - 36 in a 30 zone. That was a really crap week, lost my house keys and the boiler was condemned as well as getting the speeding ticket.

FateAmenableToChange · 01/06/2026 18:19

The reason for the guidance is if it goes to court its difficult to prove it wasn't a device accuracy issue. Hence the window of tolerance. So if they choose not to follow the guidance, they risk it being thrown out. Depends on your appetite for challenge.

tiramisugelato · 01/06/2026 18:15

FateAmenableToChange · 01/06/2026 18:13

Thats just a money grab. Id challenge it, Im pretty sure the there is a 10% window of tolerance as its impossible to be completely accurate.

No, there isn't.

Lots of police forces choose to follow the 10% +2mph rule but they don't have to.

FateAmenableToChange · 01/06/2026 18:13

Thats just a money grab. Id challenge it, Im pretty sure the there is a 10% window of tolerance as its impossible to be completely accurate.

tiramisugelato · 01/06/2026 18:13

MyLoyalAmberHelper · 01/06/2026 13:04

Whats really annoying is that the road goes from 30 to 40 a few metres from where they took the reading

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And that will be exactly why they were sat there, lol.

Flamingojune · 01/06/2026 18:10

Isnt it just all part and parcel of owning a car?

Myskyscolour · 01/06/2026 18:07

It IS annoying, especially as other drivers will be annoyed if you drive under the limit. Around here it is 20 everywhere, so I keep checking my speed to make sure I am not going higher than 20 but also not lower than 18, so distracting!

Stoicandhappy · 01/06/2026 16:45

Just do the course then hopefully you’ll learn how not to speed again. You can’t control other drivers behaviour, only your own.

ManyShapesOfPasta · 01/06/2026 16:43

MyLoyalAmberHelper · 01/06/2026 12:43

Absolutely fuming to have a speeding ticket. 3mph over the 30. It was 7 in the morning half term so very quiet on the road. Speed trap with speed gun. I never go that way normally but was giving someone a lift to work as a favour.

Its my first spending ticket in 40 years of driving, also never had an accident, i feel I am a good driver . Im fuming because over the past few weeks i have witnessed some awful driving, that's really dangerous with no consequences. Am i being unreasonable to be so annoyed.

Of course you're being unreasonable.
It doesn't matter what other drivers do, this is about what you did, and that's speeding, you sound very entitled.

Thechaseison71 · 01/06/2026 16:40

blankittyblank · 01/06/2026 13:28

The speed awareness course is actually really good!

It was the most boring 3.5 hours of my life. At least they had decent biscuits with the tea