Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To worry DD25 could get a driving ban?

175 replies

showslope · 22/07/2023 21:42

DD26 has been driving for five years. She's usually a great driver & a sensible person all round.

On her way to work nights a couple of weeks ago, she went through a red light at speed. She knows how dangerous this was & was beating herself up about it. She couldn't slow down in time to stop safely (I know this is a speed issue).

She was rushing to get to work as she was going to be late & there were hardly any cars & no people around. However, she did think it was a 40 zone as the signage wasn't great, the other side of the road was a 40 limit, and the area used to be a 40 when she was last there many years ago.

Last week, she got the letter through asking for her to confirm she was driving when this happened. The letter mentions the speed but there's no clear mention of her going through the red light (though it was a speed and red light camera that caught her).

She hasn't had any previous driving offences. She isn't eligible for a speed awareness course as the speed is too high for that.

Understandably, she's now terrified she's going to get a driving ban (needs the car for work). Of course she knows it'd be her own fault, but she's sick with worry and has to wait for the next letter to find out what will happen.

Anyone know what the most likely answer is?

OP posts:
GoingGoingUp · 23/07/2023 00:46

If she feels confident doing 54 in what she claims she thought was a 40, chances are she’s been speeding a lot more and she’s not the good driver you think she is.

Typecast · 23/07/2023 00:51

I hardly ever post on here but literally double the speed limit AND jumping a red light... try to imagine that on a normal built up road before you try to defend her... fucks sake!!

Deathbyfluffy · 23/07/2023 01:03

GraysPapaya · 22/07/2023 22:00

I’m not saint but 54 in a 30 is fucking terrible. I hope she is banned.

I agree. What truly idiotic speeds!

I do love how you say it used to be a 40… but she was doing 54 anyway 😅
Deserves a ban to get the point across tbh

allmyliesaretrue · 23/07/2023 01:06

Fuck me, the perfect drivers are out in force tonight!!! Show me a person who claims they've never broken a speed limit and I will show you a liar.

This might be the lesson she needs though @showslope. She was quite a bit over the speed limit in all fairness. I got caught out recently after driving with a clear record for more than 40 years. I had an incident where I stupidly and unaccountably drove on a flat, didn't realise, car was a bit unstable but I was always in control, off duty PC behind me reported me because he thought I was drunk. Breathalyser proved I was fine.

She needs advice from a good solicitor. Mine went to court on my behalf, cited my 'respectability', responsible job, clear driving record, etc and I was required to do a safe driving course, which I did.

Ironically I'd originally been offered a 'deal' (!!) where I would have accepted a caution, been awarded points and fined, but the station sergeant forbade it from going ahead.

allmyliesaretrue · 23/07/2023 01:09

Also, 25 year old relative did get a driving ban because she caused a non-serious accident (think she drove into the back of someone). She got her licence back afterwards. I'm sure her insurance was fucked though and so will your DD's I imagine.

Just wanted to say though, no point in you worrying - she's a big girl, and this is on her x

GoingGoingUp · 23/07/2023 01:38

allmyliesaretrue · 23/07/2023 01:06

Fuck me, the perfect drivers are out in force tonight!!! Show me a person who claims they've never broken a speed limit and I will show you a liar.

This might be the lesson she needs though @showslope. She was quite a bit over the speed limit in all fairness. I got caught out recently after driving with a clear record for more than 40 years. I had an incident where I stupidly and unaccountably drove on a flat, didn't realise, car was a bit unstable but I was always in control, off duty PC behind me reported me because he thought I was drunk. Breathalyser proved I was fine.

She needs advice from a good solicitor. Mine went to court on my behalf, cited my 'respectability', responsible job, clear driving record, etc and I was required to do a safe driving course, which I did.

Ironically I'd originally been offered a 'deal' (!!) where I would have accepted a caution, been awarded points and fined, but the station sergeant forbade it from going ahead.

54 in a 30 is not just speeding. It’s reckless and dangerous driving that can kill. Very different to your average driver who may accidentally do a 33 in 30.

orangeleavesinautumn · 23/07/2023 01:42

She is very definitely NOT "usually a great driver and a sensible person"

I hope she is banned - she should be

Dibbydoos · 23/07/2023 01:44

She can plead she needs her car for work. The court may award points instead of a ban.

That is a reckless speed in a 30 zone, OP. Stop marginalising it, it's very rare to see anyone driving that speed in a 30 zone, ive even seen police chases at lower speeds!

Your DD needs to stop worrying about whether she'll get a ban on focus on being a sensible driver at all times. She needs to build a strong argument for not banning her. I suggest she speaks to a lawyer as soon as the police issue the response to her confirming it was her driving.

UsherBobble · 23/07/2023 01:49

Someone I know very recently was caught doing 69mph in a 40mph limit, admittedly they didn't go through a red light though. They got 3 points and a £100 fine which we all thought was quite lenient for the speed they were going.

BelfastDadof3 · 23/07/2023 01:52

showslope · 22/07/2023 21:42

DD26 has been driving for five years. She's usually a great driver & a sensible person all round.

On her way to work nights a couple of weeks ago, she went through a red light at speed. She knows how dangerous this was & was beating herself up about it. She couldn't slow down in time to stop safely (I know this is a speed issue).

She was rushing to get to work as she was going to be late & there were hardly any cars & no people around. However, she did think it was a 40 zone as the signage wasn't great, the other side of the road was a 40 limit, and the area used to be a 40 when she was last there many years ago.

Last week, she got the letter through asking for her to confirm she was driving when this happened. The letter mentions the speed but there's no clear mention of her going through the red light (though it was a speed and red light camera that caught her).

She hasn't had any previous driving offences. She isn't eligible for a speed awareness course as the speed is too high for that.

Understandably, she's now terrified she's going to get a driving ban (needs the car for work). Of course she knows it'd be her own fault, but she's sick with worry and has to wait for the next letter to find out what will happen.

Anyone know what the most likely answer is?

Most likely, 6points and a fine-insurance will take a hit. If you get offered this then take it.

If they suggest court then is definitely suggest legal advice from someone who deals with this. Court will mostly be looking towards a ban. But if her job depends on it it could suspended.

Plus, if it goes to court there will be procedural errors that go in her favour.

Definitely don't say you thought you were in a 40 zone, the best thing to say is that it's a new car / just had a service and is now much smoother so you didn't feel the speed.

If you can say where you are in the country I can have my guy suggest someone. My bloke is Scotland based and I suppose can't operate in england.

KenAddams · 23/07/2023 02:12

Not useful really but very wise woman.once told me....

Better to be late in this life than early to the next

Lougle · 23/07/2023 06:39

FFSwhatisthis · 22/07/2023 23:35

@Lougle I have no idea if there were street lights or not. As it was daytime and I was looking for road directions, watching cars etc and had no 'feel' of it changing down, not back to 50, I wasn't looking for street lights. It's badly 'assessed' it changes 40/50/49/50/30/40/50. With sometimes only the tiniest gap between signs. Plus, as I said, many of them covered by over growth of trees.

Show quote history

I wouldn't be saying that in any defence. It's basically admitting to driving without due care and attention.

Wheelz46 · 23/07/2023 06:41

Completely agree with you @monsteramunch so sorry to hear what you have been through.

My brother was hit by a speeding vehicle as a child, had the driver not been speeding, his injuries would likely not have been as horrific. I saw the look of terror on my mum's face when she was told about the accident, I heard my brother screaming in pain, he had a long road to recovery. I'm not sure what penalties the driver got but I seriously hope she was never allowed to drive again.

I understand what @FFSwhatisthis is saying in terms of, not changing the current outcome but if lesson has not been learnt, it could certainly change a future outcome.

Speed kills!

Jigslaw · 23/07/2023 06:46

Fuck me, the perfect drivers are out in force tonight!!! Show me a person who claims they've never broken a speed limit and I will show you a liar.

I'm sure plenty of people haven't done nearly double the speed limit and jumped a red light, no one is claiming to be a perfect driver they're just saying they're not selfish, stupid, reckless drivers.

OP hopefully she does get a ban, yes.

BlusteryLake · 23/07/2023 06:52

I am glad you and your DD are worried about the consequences of her actions and I hope there are several. Stop minimising it with the "normally sensible, late for work, nobody around" crap. I live on a 20mph road that regularly has arseholes coming down at about 40mph. The difference is palpable. There only needs to be one person around for her to hit them. And the family won't give a monkeys if your DDs reason for mowing down their loved one is "I was rushing to get to work".

CC123456 · 23/07/2023 07:04

Have name changed for this as I’ve been very vocal on social media about road safety and many people have seen the pics. It was so lucky that there was nobody about, hopefully she does get a ban as there is really no excuse for doing almost double the speed limit

Unfortunately I wasn’t so lucky. Below is a picture of the car that hit me when he went through a red light at 58 in a 30, so very similar speed to what your daughter was doing. I’m sure his family also would have described him as a lovely guy and a usually sensible driver but he clearly wasn’t

Sensitive content
To worry DD25 could get a driving ban?
BeeDavis · 23/07/2023 07:08

Does she not drive that route regularly if it’s her way to work?!

ivykaty44 · 23/07/2023 07:13

Sunsetmom · 22/07/2023 22:00

I was caught doing 67 in a 40 a few years ago, it had to go to court for a judge to make a decision on outcome, I was able to submit a letter and had to provide financial information. I didn’t have to go to court, I got 6 points and a £600 fine. Lesson well and truly learnt!

Show quote history

Lesson learnt is a decent outcome as you’ll not repeat

thanks for sharing

do you think it’s made you a better/safer driver?

thekingfisher · 23/07/2023 07:15

I think highly unlikely she will receive a ban. However Will get a decent chunk or points and a fine based on her income. Obviously will have a large impact on her insurance. This may well be dealt with via post - but they are likely to invite to court if there is a risk of a ban - in this case with a previously clean licence it's again unlikely to be a ban and if it were imposed then likely to be a fairly short one.

alwaysmovingforwards · 23/07/2023 07:19

The time for fretting and regretting is behind you, so just get practical.

I'd be looking for legal advice. And also making plans for a hefty fine, increased insurance premiums and contingency plans if a ban is issued.

At the speed alleged, the Court Guidelines are to impose an instant driving ban.

Court Guidelines
Speeding (54 mph in 30 limit)
Fine:
£100–£1,000
Band C
Points:
4–6 *
Ban:
7-56 days

LlynTegid · 23/07/2023 07:20

Courts are in my opinion far too soft as is the law. Pleading difficulties if banned and no previous offences may mean that a ban is avoided.

Thought it was 40 and doing 54, no sympathy whatsoever.

Flipflopflopflip · 23/07/2023 07:58

GraysPapaya · 22/07/2023 22:00

I’m not saint but 54 in a 30 is fucking terrible. I hope she is banned.

Agree, it's nearly double the speed limit ffs

Hibiscrubbed · 23/07/2023 08:23

She could be banned, but she likely won’t be banned. She’s not a serial offender, she can explain she needs the car for work, she’ll get points and a fine. Don’t panic.

topnoddy · 23/07/2023 08:27

54 in a 30 limit she needs a ban and all that goes with it , increased insurance cost etc

Tinkerbyebye · 23/07/2023 08:31

It can’t be 40 one side of the road and 30 the other

from what 1 can find it could be a 7-28 day band ot 4-6 points

personally I hope she gets the ban as that will cause her the most inconvenience and hopefully make her think

at that speed she would have killed someone