UP TO SPEED
How to check if you’ve really been caught by a speed camera
Plus how much you could be fined if you're caught speeding
SPEED cameras are designed to deter drivers from exceeding the limits enforced by the government.
But what happens when you get caught by one and how do you know if you'll receive a fine? This is what we know.
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How can I tell a speed camera has caught me?
Unlike what some people think, not all speed cameras flash.
However, this doesn't mean that the camera has run out of film, as they are digital so don't require this.
The one true way that you can tell if you've been caught by a speed camera, is when you receive a notice letter through the post.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, told The Sun: “The only way drivers can be certain they have been caught speeding is when a ticket is put through the letterbox."
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Cousens added: “Speed cameras are digital so no longer use film and not all of them flash when a speeding car has passed it.
"So there are sometimes no immediate signs that someone has been caught."
If you have been caught exceeding the speed limit, a fine should come through your door within 14 days, most of the time within five working days.
Can I appeal a speeding ticket?
Yes, a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) letter can be appealed.
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The majority of successful appeals are to do with technicalities surrounding the timing of the ticket.
The most common grounds for the appeal of a speeding ticket is by what is known as the two-week rule.
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If you haven't received a letter through the post regarding your speed infringement within 14 days, you can reject paying the fine.
However, don't be fooled into thinking that this is as straightforward as it sounds.
The driver must reply to the ticket with a "not guilty" plea and argue the case against them in court.
The police must then prove that the letter should have reached the defendant within 14 days.
You can also appeal about missing details on the NIP, incorrect or obscured speed limit signs, or if you can prove you weren't behind the wheel.
In case of emergency, don't be fooled into thinking that this will be accepted as a valid reason for speeding.
Claims such as this will be rejected and the fine will still have to be paid, according to the .
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How much will I be fined if I'm caught speeding?
The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence.
But exactly how much a ticket will set you back depends on the limit in question and by how much you exceeded it.
The sum is usually a percentage of your weekly income, up to a maximum of £1,000 - or £2,500 if you were driving on a motorway.
It is important to settle the fine in a timely fashion if you were in the wrong.
An unpaid fine after 28 days could see the sum you have to pay increased and potentially a court case.
It could also lead to the court putting a warrant out for your arrest if you fail to comply.
Cousens added: “The best way to avoid speeding is to manage your speed and right foot accordingly.
"However, if you have received a fine, don’t delay in responding to the letter regardless of your intent to accept or appeal the ticket.”
We have rounded up all the different levels of speeding fines if you’re not sure what you could be facing.
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Exceeding the speed limit can also land you points on your licence.
These vary from three to six points depending on how far you exceed the limit.
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And if you've been racking up fines and points it may tot up to disqualification from driving or the suspension of your licence.
Motorists will be disqualified from driving if they receive 12 points or more in a three-year period.
Most Common Illegal Driving Activities
Here's a list of reckless driving behaviour and the fines and penalties you risk getting from it.
- Using phone while driving
Cheeky glance at a phone screen will result in six penalty points on your licence and a £200 fine
New drivers might lose their licence if caught doing so within two years of obtaining it - Speeding
Lovers of fast and furious will end up with minimum three points and £100 fine - Running a red light
This offence will incur three points and £100 fine - Middle lane hogging
It constitutes careless driving and police will hand you out a £100 fine with three penalty points - Undertaking
This could possibly result in three points on your license and a £100 fine
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