If you're a UK motorist then you are undoubtedly aware of the multitude of road laws and offences that you can be stopped for
. However are you aware of what you are being charged with and why when you are stopped for these offences? We have put together a short list of the most common traffic offences, shedding light on the details and penalties you can expect for some of the more common driving offences.
Exceeding the speed limit: The fault here is plainly defined as 'Driving on a road travelling at a speed greater than the limit'. This offence carries a 60 fine and three points on your driving licence. The maximum penalty for this offence is 1000 and 6 points on your licence depending on the speed you were doing, however the majority of fines are 60, with 3 points. A ban can be expected if you are caught travelling at 30mph above the speed limit.
If caught speeding and you are offered a fixed penalty then you are almost certainly best off in the long run to take this option as the compulsory fine is likely to be less than what any court would inflict. On the other hand if you do decide to contest a speeding fine, then possible reasons consist of; you were simply not speeding, it wasn't you driving, or that you were driving an exempt means of transport due to emergency.
Failing to stop: This crime is clear; 'A driver of a mechanically propelled means of transport in attendance when a road traffic accident occurred where personal injury or damage was caused to another person and or vehicle'. Further to this, if you also fail to stop after injuring an animal not in the vehicle or properties on or near the road and fail to stop then you break the above law. Penalties for this type of offence are strict, with at least 6 months in jail and a fine of a 5000 likely.
Speeding on a Motorway: The offence here again is a simple one, exceeding the national speed limit on a Motorway. And if you do break this law by travelling over the 100mph mark then chances are you will be immediately banned AND fined. The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine not exceeding 2500 and an endorsement of 3-6 points.