Driving laws are designed to improve road safety and reduce the risk of accidents but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re easy to follow. If you’re unaware of what the speed limit is or you inadvertently exceed it, there’s a good chance that you’ll be snapped speeding and face sanctions as a result.
If you’ve received a notification that you’ve been caught speeding, take a look at these five things to do to remedy the situation:
1. Get Legal Advice
If you’re unsure whether you were actually speeding at the time of the alleged offence, it’s well worth seeking legal advice. This will help you to decide whether to dispute the allegation or to accept liability. It’s possible that a speed camera has malfunctioned or that your vehicle has been incorrectly recorded as speeding, so don’t automatically assume that you must have done something wrong if you receive a speeding notification.
2. Accept or Dispute Liability
When you receive notification of a speeding offence, you’ll be given the opportunity to accept or dispute liability. Typically, this means accepting the penalties and sanctions that arise following the offence, such as points on your licence and/or a fine or providing evidence to rebut the allegation.
Getting legal advice will help you to make an informed decision about the best course of action but you don’t have to hire a lawyer to act on your behalf. If you choose to deal with the matter alone, you can submit the relevant documentation and proceed accordingly.
3. Consider a Speed Awareness Course
If you’ve been caught speeding, you may be offered the opportunity to attend a speed awareness course, rather than having points assigned to your driver’s licence. As well as minimising the impact that a speeding offence can have, speed awareness courses can be an effective way to re-educate drivers. After learning more about the consequences of speeding, you’ll be more likely to monitor your speed in the future, which will reduce the risk of accidents and help you to avoid further driving offences.
4. Notify Your Insurer
If you accept liability or are found guilty of a driving offence such as speeding, you’ll need to notify your insurance company. A speeding conviction can have an impact on your premiums, particularly if you have a number of points on your licence. However, there’s no need to despair as it’s still possible to take out cost-effective car insurance with points on your licence, especially if you scour the market for the best car insurance with points providers on a comparison sites like Quotezone and SimplyQuote.
5. Start Using Cruise Control
If your vehicle has a cruise control feature, it can be a great way to minimise the risk of speeding. It’s particularly useful on long stretches of road, where it’s easier for your speed to increase without you realising it.
Dealing with a Speed-Related Driving Offence
Getting a conviction for speeding might not be uncommon but it can have a long-term effect on your life. By dealing with the necessary administrative requirements and changing your driving habits, however, you can ensure that a speed-related driving offence is a one-time aberration and not a frequent occurrence.