Think I've been caught doing 60mph in a 30... what will happen

[Shouldhavenotdonethat]

So I'm likely to get flamed for this I know

I've been driving for 15 years. No convictions, no crashes. I'm generally very careful and a considerate road user

Today i was driving down a country lane that leads to the edge of a town. They are in the process of building a housing estate on the edge of the town and have now made it an immediate 30mph from a 60 as you come towards the edge of this new estate. I went through the 30 sign at 60, slowing down as I was going along. Then spotted a police van with a camera pointing out of the back of it just up the road

How much trouble am I in?

I was slowing down before I hit the urban bit, but I Definately was still doing 60 as I went through the 30 limit sign.

I'm so stressed i feel sick with worry.

If i lose my license i lose my job

[ToffeePennie]

I got caught doing 42 in a 30. My only defence was that I had a child in the back bursting for a wee and the bridesmaid and brides mother from a wedding we had been to - in a part of the country totally unknown to me.
They didn’t fine me but I did end up paying £80 for a speeding course.

[IncrediblySadToo]

💐🤞🏻 hopefully it didn’t even clock you.

We ALL make mistakes. Some of us are just big enough to admit them rather than post holier than thou shite.

My job involves a lot of driving, I’d be properly fucked if I lost my licence. The roads around here are a nightmare changing up and down far too frequently, with temp speed signs for good measure. I also drive into town on a 3-4 lane dual carriage way, that drops down to 40, abruptly. I seem to be the only one who drops my speed to 40, and boy do other drivers get pissed off. Sometimes I forget as we are all just cruising along at the same calm speed...I’m sure one of these days I’m going to end where you are tonight 😖

JUST HOPE you weren’t clocked 🌷

[friskybivalves]

I was once caught speeding at 45-ish in a 30mph zone. Had the court summons and naively thought I would appear in person to show my genuine remorse and that I was taking it seriously. Later discovered the mags would have been more pissed off that I had wasted valuable court time which may explain why they gave me more points than the police had warned me and a bigger fine! So if you're planning to plead guilty, don't compound the problem by wasting the court's time on the day!

[ContinuityError]

I’m liking the idea that thinking it’s wrong to drive through a speed limit sign on a known road at excess speed and then slow down is “holier than thou”

[SevenStones]

Try not to panic OP. As someone earlier said 60 in a 30 is a Band A fine plus either 6 points or a 7 - 56 day ban. Since it's your first offence I doubt that the court will give you a driving ban where you end up losing your job.

I got caught recently in an area where I never speed. I was overtaking a stationary vehicle and it set off and I either had to drop back, but there were other cars behind and I wasn't sure I could fit back in safely, or speed up. I made the wrong judgement. Hey ho! Really annoying.

No one's perfect, and things like this are a good wake up call and give us chance to rethink how we approach driving in the future.

[Shouldhavenotdonethat]

I made this but actually really don't see this will help at all! I think I was too far behind the van to have been concealed behind him.

[SevenStones]

dual carriage way, that drops down to 40, abruptly. I seem to be the only one who drops my speed to 40, and boy do other drivers get pissed off.

There's one of those near me. It's sensible because there's a bend in the road and then a big junction that you can't see before you get to the bend.

I drive at 40 and everyone else is whizzing past or getting right up my backside. I always feel like one of those idiot slow drivers on motorways who are a total menace to everyone.

[ForalltheSaints]

I expect that you will get points and a fine. Be grateful no crash took place and that our motoring laws are lenient.

[Shouldhavenotdonethat]

Ps. I am in my 30s i promise. Artwork on my phone is clearly not a strong point

Thanks for the nice responses.

I will definately be adhering to these properly now and in the mean time praying that nothing happens

[myhamsteratefreddiestarr]

Someone I know is in court today for the same offence. It’s serious as it’s in a built up area. So I would expect a court summons if I was you.

Another friend doing 84 on a dual carriageway got 3 points and a course. But the built up area speeding is a worse offence.

[Shouldhavenotdonethat]

@myhamster what happened to your friend today?

[myhamsteratefreddiestarr]

Meant to say, they haven’t actually had to attend court as they are on holiday, but the case is today.

[SevenStones]

They sent me a letter within a couple of days OP so you shouldn't be waiting long. It gave details of the offence and I had to fill in the back confirming it was me driving and giving them my driving licence number.

Then a couple of weeks later I got another letter telling me what the penalty itself was.

[myhamsteratefreddiestarr]

Sorry, haven’t heard as they’re abroad , but they were hoping not to lose licence as it’s first offence.

Will let you know if I find out.

[SevenStones]

I meant Band C fine further up! ^

[according]

'If they've recently changed the speed limit you may be able to appeal it.'

^ This is complete bullshit.

[whereisthepostman]

Shit one OP. I think those van cameras take a sample of drivers so they don't flash everyone who passes, although I've been caught before by one. They didn't take my license away because it was a built up area remember the speedo on your car usually tells you you're doing faster than you actually are too.

[APlaceInTheWinter]

Dh went to court once for speeding. There were lots of people there putting forward their own case and pleading extenuating circumstances so I'm not sure why a previous PP suggested not attending. Quite a few mentioned they were first offences and/or that it would impact their employment, plus details about the road conditions/signage,etc. But there are lots of lawyers experienced at dealing with speeding issues and they're not that expensive so if you receive a summons, it might be worth having a chat with one of them.

[Yabbers]

I don't mean to be harsh

You were harsh by mistake?

Don’t think so. You did mean to be harsh. And when the OP has repeatedly said she knows it was wrong, there is no need to be.

Lesson learned OP. They will take into account your previously clean licence, I hope the penalty isn’t too harsh.

[MintCassis]

My friend's DH got caught doing similar and he got a dangerous driving charge (Scotland). If you were slowing down there's a chance they'll have recorded a slower speed than 60.

[Janecon]

@Yabbers You would feel very differently if you were in my position. I've been clear that I don't wish the OP to lose her licence.

[Dothehappydance]

Wait, there are roads that go straight from 60 to 30?

On my way to/from work there is indeed a stretch that goes straight from 60 to 30 and at school times drops to 20. It is only a very short stretch. It isn't too bad the one way as you are slowing towards a roundabout, but it is still a significant drop. The other way is worse because [other than the small sign] there is nothing to indicate you need to slow down - it is only recently that they have put down road markings which makes it a lot better.

People still drive right up you though if you are doing the 20 or 30.

[dragonsfire]

If they saw you and you were doing 40 mph you might get offered to do a driving speed awareness course £90 days training and no points or actions taken that would affect your license.

[Justaboy]

Well as that diagram dosn't impart mucho info can you say as best you remeber how far were you behing the van and how far away was the speed camera van and where they in line or not?.

IIRC the equipment they use works on a doppler laser basis they just need to get the laser dot on the targert vehicle then its takes less than a second to clock the speed thay usally take a photo so as to get your reg number and a pic ofwho is driving.

However if the van was in front of you they'd be clocking him first and then you'd be next but they'd have to make sure the laser was aimed at your vehcile and they had a clear view of the number plate and preferably you as well.

So possibele that you may not have been clocked or may have been depending on how quickly you hit the breakes less than you thought plus most all speedos overread a bit around 5% IIRC so may not be quite as bad as expected.

Fingers crossed and do let everyone know what was the outcome in due course;!

[BrokenWing]

Dont they usually have 300, 200, 100 yard warning signs for a drop from 60 to 30? If you can afford legal advice get some although I think your best bet is to plead guilty, show remorse, don't make up unbelievable excuses (the dog ate my homework), and plead significant hardship if a ban was given.