Legal help? Anyone? (Speeding Fine)

[Me²]

So, about 6 or 8 months ago I was driving along in a car my Dad had hired through his work and I went through a speed camera doing 37 or something like that. Now, the Police have written to my Dad at his work address obviously because those are the details the hire company had for him. He works in an Office with over 250+ people and there has literally been no internal mail system untill this week.

Here's the kicker, today he gets a letter from good old Greater Manchester Police, and without opening it he could see that it is regarding this speeding fine etc, that has now risen to 160 squid + costs and what not?

Erm, crap!? Help? My understanding was that the Police generally gave up on speeding fines if they can get no response within 6 months, which is obviously not the case it would seem.

Am I fucked or has anyone got some warm helpfull friendly advise that could help?

 

[icemaiden]

I'd say pay the fine asap to avoid more hassle for yourself. They will eventually manage to prove who had the car at the time the camera caught you as there must be a record somewhere, although if they take anyone to court it'll be the person that hired the car - your dad i think you said, and that just isn't good at all

 

[Tom]

The company are liable for the extra amount in the fine, your dad (or you) is liable only for the initial amount (£40?), the company can't blame the late payment issue on you or your dad, since you weren't aware of the problem.

Oh, slow down as well.

 

[stu]

You're liable for the whole amount. When you get flashed by a Gatso or whatever they match the plates through the DVLA and send a letter to the address. This letter basically says "please confirm who was driving vehicle license mark blahblah on date time etc". When you reply to that they send you another letter, usually involving photos of you going too fast, and either 1) a fixed penalty fine or 2) a notice of intended prosecution.

Obviously you didn't reply to the original letter, so the fine just accumulates. You can try talking to the Police and selling them a sob story, but I doubt it will wash. After all, what sort of company can't open its own post (especially when it's got a Police stamp on the outside). Personally I'd count myself lucky I didn't get a NIP.

Oh, once you let them know that the car was hired they'll probably want to see your insurance cover as well. You *were* covered to drive the car weren't you...

 

[Me²]

Yeah, cheers so far fellas, this doesn't sound good so far at all.

 

[Lester]

They will definately have to give the name of the driver too as they would get charged with "withholding evidence" or obstucting justice, I should know.....

 

[Me²]

Should you?

 

[Lester]

Yes. I nearly got arrested coz of Tremor's heavy foot

He got gatsoed while speeding in my ride
and when the word came down I refused to sqeal, saying I didn't know who was the wheelman. Then a couple of feds got heavy on my ass - "you're going down bossman!" So I had to cop a plea and pretty soon I was singing like a bird and gave The Trem up. He got 3 big ones (err points)

Capisce?

And when he came out of court he cut my cock off and shoved it in my mouth and I DIED! Is that too far?

 

[S-Gray]

 

[dysfunction]

Due to having a lead foot You are definietly going to have to pay the full fine + extra charges...

 

[Durzel]

Erm, crap!? Help? My understanding was that the Police generally gave up on speeding fines if they can get no response within 6 months, which is obviously not the case it would seem.

They won't give up on a fine once the wheels are in motion actually chasing you for it.

I think what you're thinking of is when people don't receive any correspondance at all for 6 months after an offence, apparently then you are exempt from the charge. Typically however the letter will drop on your doorstep after 5 months and 30 days, such is the twisted nature of the CPS.

 

[Nos-]

I thought it was 2 weeks for gatso fines?

 

[Durzel]

It has to be issued within 14 days I believe. Not sure if that means you have to have received it within 14 days. *shrug*

 

[hoggsboss]

i thought there was a loophole whereby the onus was on the police to prove who was driving at the time if you refused to name the person.

this could of changed of course.

 

[Tom]

Sounds simple to me. Employee hires car on company business. Letter goes to hire company. Hire company contacts company. Nobody contacts the employee. Fine gets raised. "oops, better tell employee".

If I was the employee, I would settle with my employer for the initial fine, not the full amount. You can't be held liable for the full amount, its just not fair. I would expect my employer to pay the rest.

http://www.speed-trap.co.uk/

 

[Perplex]

Count yourself lucky...

I'm going to lose my license on the 21st of March

 

[old.D0LLySh33p]

Damn Perp

 

[Tom]

Think I'll count myself lucky I don't drive a Fiat!

(Audi A4)

 

[nath]

You worked your way up to 12 points, or did they just say "man, so fast we'll take it away straight away"? Or can they even do that?

 

[Dr_Weasel]

It would appear to me the person in the back seat isnt wearing a seat belt...

 

[old.D0LLySh33p]

I thought if you get caught doing over a 100mph it's an automatic ban?

 

[NaveT]

I believe the following speed related offences will get you a immediate ban.

Over a 100 in a 70 mph area
Over 60mph in a 30mph area.

Could be wrong though. Thats what I got told when I got done for doing 96mph.

 

[Lester]

Unless you are an M.P., or posh, or famous, or rich, or a policeman, etc ad nauseum.

 

[Perplex]

Originally posted by NaveT
I believe the following speed related offences will get you a immediate ban.

Over a 100 in a 70 mph area
Over 60mph in a 30mph area.

Could be wrong though. Thats what I got told when I got done for doing 96mph.

Wrong. You can only get a fixed penalty if you are less then 30mph over the limit for the road you are on. Once you go over that 30mph threshold you can not be dealth with by the fixed penalty system, and have to attend court.

The court will usually either load you up with points (6 and a fine maybe) or ban you for a set period of time (28 days maybe).

My offence was 93 in a 50. (Dual carrigeway with a 70mph limit that drops to 50mph for about 400 yards). I already have 6 points on my license from 4 years ago (due to fall off my license in about 6 weeks).

I will either get 6 points and a chunky fine (12 point tot-up - 1 year ban) or I'll get a 28 day ban and a chunky fine - either way, I'm fucked

 

[*Exor*]

Try not speeding.

 

[Perplex]

Originally posted by *Exor*
Try not speeding.

Try not drink-driving

 

[GDW]

Am I the only one here who has absolutely no sympathy

 

[nath]

Fucked indeed :|

Still 28 day ban sounds better than the alternative really.

Edit: Grandad, exor doesn't sound like he has too much either.

 

[Perplex]

Originally posted by Grandadwrinkle
Am I the only one here who has absolutely no sympathy

I take on board what you're saying, but contend that it was fucking 6am on a Sunday morning on what effiectively is a motorway. I'd spent 1hr on that road and hadn't seen a single car. Anyway, I'm not looking for your sympathy or anyone elses, it's a minor nuisance but life will continue.

 

[PR.]

Originally posted by Grandadwrinkle
Am I the only one here who has absolutely no sympathy

No, your not