In trouble, what do I do?

[Hammondhugh]

I, after my family member fell really ill sped to the hospital. I did 30 mph over the limit so 80 in a 50. I could’ve taken the points and called it or taken a ban. I’m asking for a reduced ban in court.
I now need to explain this to my employer and I work in education. I really really don’t want to have to explain this. I’m so embarrassed. What do I do? It’s actually very embarrassing to explain and I work with very intimidating management

At the risk of sounding all ‘cancel the cheque’…
WHY DIDN’T YOU TAKE THE POINTS?

Completely agree. You’ve made the mistake in a time of stress; switch back to your normal good judgement from here on.

Tell the truth to your employer that you need to be in court xx date for a driving offence and will need a day of leave. I don't see what the conundrum is?

You seem quite confused for someone who has hired a solicitor, I'd maybe find another one, and get your head around the process that you need to navigate sooner rather than later.

Not to split hairs, but you weren't "following an ambulance" which would infer that you were driving directly behind it, (if ambulances even did 80 in a 50), you were driving to hospital to see a relative.

Don't stick your head in the sand, if you're adult enough to be behind the wheel doing ridiculous speeds, you're adult enough to deal with the consequences.

You were doing 80mph in a 50mph zone?
You're lucky you're not going to court for death by dangerous driving!
Idiot.

It certainly is my local rag (part of a national chain/Mirror) they have a court reporter and publish a list of traffic, drug and other convictions weekly.

(Edited - reply to the reply my previous post about the local paper, I was expecting this to show as a reply too!)

Maybe it depends where you live but where I'm from, they couldn't possibly list every court appearance or conviction. There'd be nothing else in the paper. Only things of note are reported now. Even stabbings and shootings don't always make the cut if there's nothing exceptional about them. I see loads of stabbings/incidents on facebook etc that isn't reported in the papers.

Colleague of mine was found out when his name appeared in the local rag court round up. If you're not honest with them and you're found out later surely they'll judge you more?

This is very true.
That is a hell of a speed on a 50 zone.
The relative was in an ambulance. There would be nothing the OP could do to assist, so wouldn't matter if they turned up half an hour later.
There was no need to recklessly drive following it-no ambulance would be doing 80mph.

As for not admitting to bosses or being upfront- that is also a bad move.
Honesty is the best policy here.

Enhanced DBS will definitely bring up driving offences/caution.

There's no option to "take points" at thirty over the limit. It's an automatic ban. If you go to court you have some small chance of persuading them to only fine you, or to give a shorter ban etc.

In this offence there is no simple points option open to the OP.

As it happens actually, I absolutely fucking do know what it is like, so I don't know why you assume I don't. It doesn't mean I can just kill other people on the road on the way there! But thanks for the assumption.

I just feel embarrassed explaining myself:(

I’ve been honest with my employer. Are you saying it’s misconduct for being honest?

You should be. But equally take the plaster route. Rip it off quickly, get it over with, move on.

In a 50. Not in a 30

If you lie to your employer, given that this would likely appear on a DBS, you could be dismissed.

I don't think it's being suggested that being honest with your employer would be deemed misconduct, how could that be the case?

Check your contract for what constitutes misconduct. You really just need to inform yourself and get clearer on what your position is, both legally, and with regard to your employment, and you won't find that on Mumsnet. Go digging.

Being honest will lead to one of a number of outcomes depending on company policy.

1 - a wrap on the knuckles and a formal warning of some description
2 - a "thanks for telling us" and a check it won't affect your work
3 - a "thanks for telling us" and an "are you ok?"

Lying would probably lead to formal disciplinary processes because it WILL show up on your next DBS

@Hammondhugh
You should feel shame and embarrassed, you broke the law, however, you can now choose how you 'own' this.
IMO taking this on the chin, admitting guilt, showing remorse and driving sensibly from now on is how you move on. Telling your employer is part of this process

OP you seem perpetually befuddled, bemused, and like a passive player in this.

You’ve been dithering about for days, asking MN questions we can’t know the answer to (too many variables we’re not party to or aren’t qualified to answer).

Just pick up the phone & ask the solicitor you’re apparently paying for this sort of stuff. Then stop all this needless speculating about your employer & read your contract of employment - then you’ll know! It’s really not rocket science 🙄

I suspect what you’re really seeking on here is absolution of your guilty conscience - sympathy & reassurance. You’ll not get much of it here as a) you endangered people’s lives, and b) you’re doing zilch to help yourself other than asking the wrong people.

I don't think a solicitor taken on to deal with a road traffic offence will know anything about how that might impact the OPs employment or her DBS check, it's not their area. I'm surprised the solicitor gave an (incorrect) opinion on that to be honest.

The best people to ask are her employers, second to that - an employment lawyer.