Speeding

[Whatdidido123]

I expect to be bashed massively for this, and I welcome it, I'm an idiot.
I was driving 70mph in a 50mph zone. It had just changed to 50mph, and I failed to slow down before I passed a vehicle hiding on the side of the motorway. It was a black and yellow checkered vehicle. Was that a police car? Highway patrol? I'm not entirely sure what vehicle it was, but he was facing oncoming traffic and hiding. I'm also a fairly new driver. It will be 2 years at the end of this month. Whats going to happen to me? Banned? Oh, I'm such an idiot 😭

It sounds like highway patrol; speed camera vans dont hide (perhaps not allowed to). I would try not to worry, most likely nothing

Police are usually blue and yellow. Unless you saw a camera (man with a gun), or a hole out the back of the van/car, you're probably ok

Speeding van tend to be the big vans. However if you were doing 70 in a 50 you know you are at risk of a ticket. Early on since passing you’ll likely get points on your license and not be allowed to do a speed awareness course.

So whatever the outcome, ticket/no ticket, stick to the speed limit next time.

Probably nothing. There's a Highways Agency car on a high layby all the time in the short stretch of motorway I drive about 4 times a week. Doesn't do anything about speeding.

I'd forget about it.

I only saw the vehicle briefly as it was hidden on the side. I can only think he was hiding because he was trying to catch speeders, like me :/

Is it bannable? As a new driver I can only get 6 points and then I'm banned

Not going to lie, it could be. The notice will come within two weeks so not long to wait to be sure. Speaking from experience, I find those two weeks nerve-wracking, and that's usually enough of a slap on the wrist for me to not do it again!

If you were going fast enough (which you were being 20 over the limit) then, yes, you are likely to get more than bog standard 3 points. You will find out either way in the next few days. They are very quick with letters normally.
In the future it is worth bearing in mind that you are supposed to slow down before you reach the speed limit sign, not after.

Unlikely. I regularly speed past the semi-hidden one on the motorway I see. Never had a ticket. You have no idea why he was there. No point worrying about it.

Sometimes they just park there to remind people to slow down. I bet you never speed past that spot again.

But you could get a fine through the post but often you will be offered a speed awareness course.

Black and yellow cars are Highways Officers and they're not looking for speeding. Just monitoring the roads to keep them safe and moving. Often big Volvo 4x4 things.

They have some powers around stopping/starting traffic, removing stopped cars for road management reasons, etc, but not enforcing speed or any other driving offences

It wasn't a 4x4 vehicle I don't believe. It was smaller

Main point is if it was yellow and black then you've nothing to worry about

Don't they have cctv fitted?

Band B
Disqualify 7-28 days OR 4-6 points
100% of relevant weekly income*
https://www.webuyanycar.com/guides/car-ownership/speed-fine-calculator/

Yes you are at risk. I strongly suggest you stick like sh1t on a blanket to the speed limit from now on.

I got my first ticket in 25 years of driving recently, doing 60 in a 50. I just forgot the speed limit on that road had changed- not that it’s an excuse. Much lower offence so I’m able to do a course, but man I’m a stickler for the speed limit now. I don’t want to risk points.

The worst outcome is likely to be 3 points and a £100 fine. However it sounds unlikely.

There is loads of 50 restriction around where I live, on motorways, due to 'upgrades' etc, and I know they are massively clamping down on the variable speed camera ticketing so I'd be very diligent in future.

That being said I got ticketed doing 86mph in a 50 restriction on the M6 last year (yes I know, I know but it was 4am and I'd been driving back from Wales for hours/no-one about etc - totally my own fault before I get torn to shreds!!) and I got three points and a £100 fine. I'd done a course within three years so no option of that.

Plus it's not worth the pain of the impact of your insurance as a new driver either. FWIW I am trying to do better also!!

This is just highway patrol they don't issue speeding tickets, they hide because they stay out of the way until they need tk manage traffic

Agree with Jenga that there seems to be a lot more enforcement and cameras about in the last couple of years. Motorways which are now 50’s especially. I know a lot of people who’ve been fined doing around 54 on the M4 50mph zones.

He wasn't on the motorway as such. He was at the end of a dual carriageway hiding on the side, that area of road is very quiet, he was facing oncoming traffic and I think he may have flashed his lights. These next two weeks are going to be horrendous. I could cry right now

Black and Yellow is definitely Highways Officers. They have little ramps off the side of the motorway they use to park up in. They are usually deployed to assist with/in lieu of Police to help with obstructions in the carriageway, broken down vehicles or traffic accidents.

Police speed vans are not allowed to hide they have to be visible, same if it’s a police officer out a car with a speed gun. You’d be able to see them. Highly unlikely this would be done at the side of a motorway as it’s unsafe. It’s rare they do this on a motorway as there are usually adequate fixed cameras/average speed cameras in place.

If you do get caught speeding you won’t be banned for 70mph in a 50mph on a motorway, you’ll just be out the limit for a Speed Awareness Course (Which is +12mph over the limit I believe so would be 62mph) I’d think it would be 3 points and fine, 6 points at most but might be unlikely.

The ticket will come very quickly so if you’ve not had it by next week don’t worry. I really would try not to worry about this unlikely it was a speed camera.

Have you read my posts? He really sounds like the one I see every other day who absolutely aren't catching people speeding. There isn't any point worrying.

I'm sorry, im just panicking and not thinking logically. Thank you for your replies, I do appreciate it

Black and yellow is the Highways Agency (think they are now called National Highways). They won't be giving out tickets.

Doesn't mean to say a speed camera didn't get you, especially if you went past a gantry, as they can have speed cameras in them.

"I only saw the vehicle briefly as I whizzed past" more like

Probably not a camera, hopefully lesson learned without any cost to you or anyone else.

Actually there is very much a point in worrying. The OP is an inexperienced driver and is already disregarding speed limits putting herself and others at risk.
The fact that you are routinely speeding on a motorway is nothing to be proud off and maybe a couple of weeks of worrying will do OP some good so that she doesn't feel entitled to do the same.
Someone nearly drove into me at a roundabout yesterday. I was observing the speed limit and joined the roundabout when it was clear. A car came zooming from the road on the right and approached the roundabout without slowing down, it joined roundabout after me but caught up to me and nearly drove into my side at full speed. This is unsafe driving and, on paper, would look like my accident.
A couple of months ago I was turning onto an empty road with 20 limit when a Porche zoomed towards me at what felt and sounded like at least 100 miles an hour. No way would I have been able to predict him approaching at this speed when I couldn't even see him down the road when I began the maneuver. Again, this would be considered my accident.
If you are regularly speeding, you are unsafe for other road users. Whether you are caught or not is irrelevant.