Speeding in a hire car

[buccal]

I reckon 17 years of clean motoring are about to go up in smoke. Ironically in a 1.6 vauxhall and not the 55.

I was up north at the easter break visiting a close family member who is unwell. No excuse but i was a bit distressed on leaving and evidently slightly distracted:

Dual carriageway, 70 limit, clear dry road. Very light traffic. Guy infront of me pulled over to reveal a police van with a camera out of the back, sitting at the side of the road.

I reckon i'm in 3 points territory, unless the speedo is very innacurate

Should i hear within 14 days (even with a hire car)?

Is there anyway you can appeal to go on an awareness course as opposed to the points? ie. First offence/mature driver etc etc?

 

[219]

The form goes to the registered keeper within 14 days asking for driver details if not self and giving (30 days ?) to respond , the conditional offer then goes to the driver requiring response within a similar time frame .

So you might not hear anything for a few weeks .

 

[Barbanasos]

Hi buccal,

don't want to stress you any more but unfortunately with hire cars it could be longer. The relevant police will issue the NIP within 14 days to the hire company which will then write to identify the driver and the they will issue again to the driver. Yet again there is the chance that nothing could come through. I am pretty sure some other members will be able to provide more specialist advice.

 

[Stratman]

Just to add to your misery, many hire car companies levy a charge on the (alleged) speeder to cover their time sorting out the extra paperwork.

 

[martin_a]

If it does come through then try Pepipoo as they have a NIP wizard which will give you some idea on the best course of action. Sounds like there isn't a grey area here though, you did it even if there are mitigating circumstances. Hope they offer the speed awareness course given your good record.

m.

 

[stevesey]

I reckon 17 years of clean motoring are about to go up in smoke. Ironically in a 1.6 vauxhall and not the 55.

I don't know what the new ones are like - but our old Astra reads about 15% over - on the assumption the camera was set to 79mph you could get away with a seemingly high indicated speed.

Was it a small local hire car firm or a big national - if the former give the depot a ring after 15 days and see if they've heard anything (or earlier and ask them to give you a ring if anything comes in).

 

[camerafodder]

What was your speedo reading at the time?...in mpg of course

 

[prprandall51]

There are two important lessons you should learn from this:
Never drive a Vauxhall and Never go up North.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

No wonder you is in hiding...

 

[Spin_bowler]

I got a fixed penalty for speeding in a Europcar rental a couple of years ago. Europcar were pretty prompt at 'grassing me up' and I got the NIP from the Police within about three weeks of the event. Europcar also charged me £30 (IIRC) for the privilege.

 

[BTB 500]

The option for a speed awareness course normally depends on what speed you were doing. In the Thames Valley area you get offered a Speed Awareness course as an alternative to a fixed penalty for being caught at the following:

30 limit: from 35 to 39 mph
40 limit: from 46 to 50 mph
50 limit: from 57 to 61 mph
60 limit: from 68 to 72 mph
70 limit: from 79 to 83 mph

The 'from' speeds are as per the ACPO guidelines ... below those no action would normally be taken (although this is not guaranteed).

As mentioned, most speedos. over read slightly.

 

[buccal]

Thanks for the replies guys. I reckon speedo was bang on 85.

 

[d w124]

I reckon speedo was bang on 85.

You noty boy.I told you not to carry the twins,when you`re alone