Motoring Lawyer Direct Blog

Over the past few years, “sat nav” systems have become more and more popular. Part of the reason for this is the new technology and features available as part of the package. In recent months the development of speed camera detection and alert software is rapidly changing. No-one likes receiving a speeding fine or speeding ticket so having a Sat Nav that can help prevent this is always going to be a winner.

When looking to buy a new or used sat nav it is really important to ensure that it has the below features. Having these features will make using the sat nav simpler and also make it easier to justify spending the money:

A good traffic and routing function- This allows the sat nav to reprogram and reroute your journey should a traffic incident occur.

Camera Alerts- With this function a sat nav will alert you in advance to any fixed speed cameras on your route. This gives you greater awareness of the actual speed limit and could stop you picking up a speeding fine or speeding ticket. Some sat navs receive camera updates free for life; others require a monthly or annual subscription. Which ever you choose having a speed camera alert can save you money.

Bluetooth adaptability- this allows you to use your sat nav as a hands free set for your mobile phone. This is obviously a huge benefit as not only will driving whilst being on the phone cost you a hefty fine it will also put points on your license.

These are just some of the most common features to look out for. With the technology constantly being updated who knows what is next for sat navs, maybe they will incorporate radar detection so that they can detect mobile speed cameras and help prevent further speeding fines and tickets.

There is no right to silence when the registered keeper is served with a notice stating that a speeding offence occurred on a particular date and requesting that information is provided as to who was driving! It is an offence not to respond. However, what if you do not know who was driving? What if you were not the actual keeper?

Well, if you don’t know who was driving, there is a defence of ‘due diligence’ but it must be proved to the appropriate standard. And the Magistrates do require some serious convincing in this regard, including cogent evidence in respect of your enquiries. Alternatively, you may be able to establish that you were not the ‘keeper’ in which case you would only need to disclose information in this regard which was within your ‘power’ to give.

In terms of each of these points, you must consider whether you have the ability to represent yourself. Technical legal points and defences do arise. If you do not feel able to represent yourself you should consider deploying the skills of an expert lawyer such as Motoring Lawyer Direct. We offer free initial advice followed by fixed fee consultation and representation. Quite honestly, our advice is to not try and go it alone!

Speeding fines can definitely cost you much, not just in money but in points too. However, given the fact that speed is the major cause of fatalities on roads, we should not wonder that the penalties are so drastic; it is argued by the Government that this is the only way to make drivers obey the law in traffic.

People receive speeding fines when they are detected by speed devices such as fixed or mobile cameras or when a police officer stops them. Sometimes getting a speeding ticket is the fortunate case, since you can actually lose your driving license for a pretty long period of time, and when you depend on driving to make a living things couldn’t simply get worse.

Besides the adjacent speeding fines you will have the license suspended for at least three months if you exceed the speed limit with thirty mph or for six months if you are running with forty-five miles over the speed limit. If the police stops you in any such situations, chances are that you will get the suspension right on the spot, and it will be usually useless to try and fight the ticket. Maybe you would get with just a warning for ten miles over the limit, but if it is more, nobody can help you.

With a simple search on the Internet you can find out the penalty points and the speeding fines specific to every state in particular. You will need to know the law not just when driving but in the eventuality of going to court too. In certain states the court will accept the speed to be reduced in the record so that you don’t get high insurance premiums, but this is not a rule. Such exceptions only happen when you have exceeded the speed limit with just a few miles.

The clerks in the courtroom will usually send you the information file with the categories for the speeding fines. They are also the employees who will take care of the documents you send or bring for the case, particularly if you are pleading not-guilty. Furthermore, some legal advice from an attorney could help one lower the speeding fines, but it very much depends on the way the case is pleaded in court. If you can get some delays, you could also increase your chances of beating the speeding ticket and get with a clean record.