Speeding offences
Contents
The speed limit
The speed limit varies according to the type of vehicle and the type of road. The following table is a summary of the UK speed limits. The limit can also be fixed by traffic signs, which specify the limit in a particular area. Some of these traffic signs can be temporary and are taken away after the particular hazard has gone.
Vehicle type | Built-up areas | Single carriageway | Dual carriageway | Motorway |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cars |
30 mph |
60 mph |
70 mph |
70 mph |
Vehicles towing |
30 mph |
50 mph |
60 mph |
60 mph |
Coaches / buses |
30 mph |
50 mph |
60 mph |
70 mph |
Lorries up to 7.5 tonnes |
30 mph |
50 mph |
60 mph |
70 mph |
Lorries more than 7.5 tonnes |
30 mph |
40 mph |
50 mph |
60 mph |
There is no set minimum speed limit; although if you drive too slowly, you can be charged with inconsiderate driving (Motoring offences).
Evidence of speeding
Evidence of the speeding can be from:
- An observation by 2 policemen
- An observation by one policeman plus the mechanical evidence from a speed gun
- A speed camera of an approved type
- Expert evidence about skid marks
- A time and distance device installed in the police vehicle
How do the police decide whether to prosecute?
The action taken mostly depends on how much over the speed limit you were driving. Although individual police forces can use their discretion, the Association of Chief Police Officers suggests the following when enforcing speed limits:
Speed limit | Min. speed for a speeding ticket | Min. speed for prosecution |
---|---|---|
20 mph |
25 mph |
35 mph |
30 mph |
35 mph |
50 mph |
40 mph |
46 mph |
66 mph |
50 mph |
57 mph |
76 mph |
60 mph |
68 mph |
86 mph |
70 mph |
79 mph |
96 mph |
Defences
It's not a defence if you say you didn't see or you weren't aware of the sign. However, it can be a defence if you can prove that the traffic sign was broken or had been taken away in an area where a specific speed limit had been imposed.
In order to challenge photographic evidence of a traffic or speed camera, you'll need to support your argument with expert evidence of possible inaccuracies.
What is the law guide
The Desktop Lawyer law guide aims to present the law to you in a comprehensive yet jargon-free and easy-to-read format. Our law guide is constantly kept up to date with changes in business and family law by our team of in house solicitors, and includes information across all the legal jurisdictions in the UK.
Our law guide is free to use. Where we provide documents related to this area of law, or where they may help you with any legal issue in this area, they will be listed to the right of this message.