Drivers May Be Able To Get Away With Not Paying Speeding Ticket Fines Due To Legal Loophole

Drivers who are caught speeding might be able to get away with not paying fines due to a legal loophole.

But before we get on to that, let's all agree on one thing: speeding is a form of dangerous driving. Don't do it, lads.

According to the law, depending on the severity of the offence - how fast you were going and where, etc. - the police are able to impose incredibly severe penalties, usually a percentage of your weekly income.

The minimum penalty imposed is a £100 fine and three points on a driver's licence.

However, for the more serious incidents, such as speeding on a motorway, cops can order the offender to pay up to £2,500 and six points.

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Now, while you may be able to escape with completing a speed awareness course if it's the first time you've been caught, you may actually be able to avoid any kind of punishment at all.

This is because of something called the '14-day rule'.

According to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, the driver must receive their notice within 14 days of the offence taking place.

If the letter arrives outside of this, you may be able to appeal the decision and avoid the penalty.

David Beckham's lawyers used this exact clause during a speeding case in 2018.

The ex-Manchester United player had been spotted going 59mph in a 40mph zone in his Bentley on 23 January that year.

However, he claimed that he only received the letter on 7 February, which exceeded the 14-day period, and he was let off.

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It should be made clear at this point that this is not a fool proof clause.

If police can prove that under normal circumstances the letter would have reached you within 14 days - for instance, if it was sent to an old address or fell foul of postal delays - you'll still have to pay up

So really it's probably best to just drive sensibly and not speed, eh?

While you're here, though, you might be interested in a law that came into effect earlier this year regarding the use of mobile devices at the wheel.

It should come as no surprise to you that you shouldn't be messing about with your phone while driving, but some people continue to do so.

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However, since April, new legislation ruled that using your mobile or any other handheld device for any reason while driving is strictly prohibited. 

Those who are caught breaking this rule will receive up to six penalty points and a £200 fine. Or, if you passed your driving test in the last two years, you'll lose your license.

Keep in mind that this applies to holding your mobile phone, talking or texting on your phone, taking a photo or video while driving and playing games or using any app on your phone.

You can get more information about the law and what you need to do if you are caught speeding here.

Topics: Cars, UK News, David Beckham, Sport, Technology

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is LADbible's Editorial Lead. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

@SmithersDom