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Original poster

Caught doing 87 on an A road - stupid - what will happen?

624 replies

Speeding87stupid · 31/05/2025 20:40

We were on holiday, road was empty and we were rushing to get to a check in.

Just got home and received a scary letter in the post from the police.

I know it was monumentally stupid. Will write back immediately saying yes it was me.

I’ve never had a speeding fine - can’t believe I was so stupid, I never usually speed.

What will they do - will I lose my licence?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Spirallingdownwards · 31/05/2025 21:20

adviceneeded1990 · 31/05/2025 21:18

I doubt you’ll lose your licence for 17mph over the limit. It is fast but it’s not 100mph, or more than 20mph over, which are usually the thresholds for automatic bans. Apologise and throw yourself on the mercy of the court, hopefully it’ll be a few points and a fine.

It won't even go to court. It will be a paper exercise of admitting its her, paying her £100 fine and getting 3 points.

Poshjock · 31/05/2025 21:21

To be fair a lot of people misunderstand the term dual carriageway. Many assume it is defined by the number of lanes and this is incorrect. A dual carriageway means there are two roads separated by a physical barrier of some sort irrespective of the number lanes, even if there is only 1 lane in each direction. A good way of thinking about it is that if you stood at the side of the road and tried to roll a ball to the other side, if the ball is impeded by a barrier, it is a dual carriageway. And they are 70mph unless there are gateway and repeater signs telling you otherwise.

RealEagle · 31/05/2025 21:21

Speeding87stupid · 31/05/2025 20:45

Oh really, I hope so as it’s a prosecution letter.

My husband was caught doing 37 in a 30 and got points and a speed awareness course.

Is it because I was so much over the limit?

Show quote history

Speed awareness is instead of points

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
nothingagainstyourrightleg · 31/05/2025 21:22

If it’s more than a speed awareness course, you’ll have to declare to insurance and your premiums will go up.

Spirallingdownwards · 31/05/2025 21:22

TheaBrandt1 · 31/05/2025 21:04

Sounds like a court summons. You need a solicitor. If it was fixed penalty it would offer you the fine / speed awareness course. Sounds like you were so over the limit it’s a court summons.

No it doesn't sound at all like a court summons. It is the standard first notice of speeding. She admits I was her driving then they fine her and give her points. All done by post and she can fine online.

Tripadvisor101 · 31/05/2025 21:22

ButItWasNotYourFaultButMine · 31/05/2025 21:18

Have you never driven on the autobahn in Germany? 😂

Yes, OP was speeding and our roads/traffic conditions aren't designed for driving at that speed. But that doesn't mean the car can't handle it where it's allowed.

Show quote history

I didn't say the car couldn't handle it. It's about the driver.

PorgyandBess · 31/05/2025 21:22

You’ll probably get a £100 fine and 3 points.

And lots of MNers who’ve never exceeded a speed limit, telling you off.

soupyspoon · 31/05/2025 21:23

I remember a massive row on a thread here about people not knowing and understanding and denying until they were blue in the face that a dual carriage needed a central reservation AND that they can be made up of as little as one lane or as many as 4.

I can only imagine people didnt pay attention in their lessons or dont drive around much in different cities and towns.

Original poster
Speeding87stupid · 31/05/2025 21:24

soupyspoon · 31/05/2025 21:09

All the letters have that as a heading, mine did and I had a speed awareness course.

Show quote history

Ah ok. I’ve not had one before. No mention of a fine or a course or points or anything.

Just asking for confirmation of who was driving.

OP posts:
RealEagle · 31/05/2025 21:25

You could be lucky and get a speed awareness

Sockersandbox · 31/05/2025 21:26

InTheWindow · 31/05/2025 20:48

You’ve gone from never usually speeding to nearly 30mph over the limit to make a check in? Did you not think to just contact the owner/manager and explain you were running late? I live rurally and sometimes have to cross A roads on foot, and cycle/walk along them to join off road paths, my daughter is getting to an age that she’ll be doing so on her own too. My friend and her children live at a junction with one. Thank god we’ve never come across a driver as selfish as you. I hope you do lose your license.

17mph over, dont be so dramatic, 30 🙄

TipsyRaven247 · 31/05/2025 21:26

I agree when you say "I was unbelievably stupid".
I hope you get unbelievably fined so next time you know better.

2025ismybestyear · 31/05/2025 21:26

Did you have your kids in the car? It is just unfathomable you'd risk them for the same if a check in.

Teaandtoastserveddaily · 31/05/2025 21:27

Spirallingdownwards · 31/05/2025 21:19

Unlikely. Most likely 3.

Show quote history

I got 6 😭😭😭

Never done it again and never will. I feel so terrified and angry with myself when I think back to how dangerous it was.

notsureonthisone · 31/05/2025 21:27

As a PP mentioned, you might qualify for a speed awareness course, which you would have to pay for, but doesn’t carry penalty points.

No you won't. Max speed for eligibility for a speed awareness course is 82mph on a 70mph road. I was speeding on the M6 and completed the National Speed Awareness course last week. It was so useful that all (not new) drivers should do it.

OP, just complete the form and send it in. You will get 3 points and a fine. No need for a solicitor, but you will have to inform your car insurance company.

PorgyandBess · 31/05/2025 21:27

I think you’d be ineligible for a speed awareness course.

Spirallingdownwards · 31/05/2025 21:28

Speeding87stupid · 31/05/2025 21:24

Ah ok. I’ve not had one before. No mention of a fine or a course or points or anything.

Just asking for confirmation of who was driving.

Show quote history

Yes so please ignore all those telling you to get a solicitor. You absolutely do not need one.

Fill in the form and return it. You will then get another letter asking you to pay the fine online and informing you how many points you have been penalised - most likely to be 3.

If at that stage this isn't what happens then get further advice but you have not done anything that suggests you would be disqualified from driving.

BrokenWingsCantFly · 31/05/2025 21:28

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down now.

Spirallingdownwards · 31/05/2025 21:29

Teaandtoastserveddaily · 31/05/2025 21:27

I got 6 😭😭😭

Never done it again and never will. I feel so terrified and angry with myself when I think back to how dangerous it was.

Show quote history

I suspect you were going a higher % over the speed limit to get 6.

Tiredofwhataboutery · 31/05/2025 21:29

I think they decide what to do with you after they know who was driving and whether you’ve had any previous fines/ points etc

You might just get a speed awareness course as first offence.

Arsehooooole · 31/05/2025 21:30

A dual carriageway i.e 2 or more lanes with a national speed limit sign is a 70mph.

A single carriage way with a national speed limit i.e county lane 60 mph.
Unless on these roads it's stated otherwise

How hard is this to understand for the majority of posters, it's quite staggering how you lot have driving licences

InTheWindow · 31/05/2025 21:31

Sockersandbox · 31/05/2025 21:26

17mph over, dont be so dramatic, 30 🙄

Show quote history

In the original post the OP didn’t say it was a dual carriageway. Many A roads are 60mph and used by a variety of road users. There were no other replies visible when I wrote my response. 17mph over is still a lot, running late for a check in because of traffic is not an excuse to put others at risk.

Justgorgeous · 31/05/2025 21:31

InTheWindow · 31/05/2025 20:48

You’ve gone from never usually speeding to nearly 30mph over the limit to make a check in? Did you not think to just contact the owner/manager and explain you were running late? I live rurally and sometimes have to cross A roads on foot, and cycle/walk along them to join off road paths, my daughter is getting to an age that she’ll be doing so on her own too. My friend and her children live at a junction with one. Thank god we’ve never come across a driver as selfish as you. I hope you do lose your license.

Stop being a drama queen. The OP has said the letter says - ‘70’ mph speed limit, so she wasn’t doing 30mph above!

TheaBrandt1 · 31/05/2025 21:32

Why on earth would you not take specialised advice if you get a court summons? Such weird advice not to.

PorgyandBess · 31/05/2025 21:32

The sanctimony on this thread. 🙄 And misinformation.

The OP asked for consequences, not lectures.

She’ll get a £100 fine and 3 points.

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