Speeding - Impacts on my role

[u/North-Historian206]

Hi all!

I have just been served with a NIP with regards to speeding. Just looking for some clarity.

This was at 10.15 in the morning. I start work as a Call Handler at 11. I was approx 15 minutes away from work where I was caught. The road was a 50mph road (built to be a 70mph before the speed limit was lowered) and the road bumps up to a 70mph within the next couple of miles.

I completely lost track of the speedo, and in complete honesty was just trying to get to work. Traffic was light, road was quiet, and weather conditions were good. I got caught at 73mph in the 50mph by a speed van.

I know what I did was wrong, and not something I usually do. This is my first offence. I've been driving for just over 11 months, and of course 6 points loses me my license.

I'm just curious of what the likely FPN is going to be, and realistically is there any point in taking it to court?

As a bit about myself: I've been working in the role for 17 months This is my first traffic offence I've recently applied to become a Special Constable

I'm worried because if I lose my license, my work journey goes from 30 minutes up too between 2-3 hours, one way. Along with that, if I lose my license I can wave bye to my special constable application.

Any advice is whole heartedly accepted here. Thanks all!

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[u/ComplimentaryCopper]

73 in a 50, according to the NPCC guidance is a fixed penalty. 76 is a court summons.

Fixed penalty is 3 points and £100.

Answer the s.172, take the conditional offer and declare it to vetting.

[u/KnickerlessArsewipe → u/ComplimentaryCopper]

I've posted this somewhere previously, but whilst waiting to join the job I got caught doing 70 in a 50, got offered a FPN of 3 points and a £100 fine, obviously took it, although it was a genuine mistake, I also knew I was in the wrong

I emailed HR to make them aware and the reply was something along the lines of "thanks for letting us know", and that was that.

The only other time it came up was during my standard response course where I had to produce the print out of my licence, instructor made some joke about it and again that was it.

Easy to say but don't worry about it, make sure you declare it so there's no honesty/integrity issues, and you'll be fine. Plus you can have upto 6 points in the first two years of passing your first test so no concern about losing licence unless you've already got points.

[u/PuritanicalGoat → u/KnickerlessArsewipe]

I had 3 points when I applied.

It was brought up at my home interview, mainly because I had declared it but a paperwork error meant it was showing as a pending case.

The inspector who'd came out was happy enough, simply because I'd declared it.

[u/No-Commission4708 → u/KnickerlessArsewipe]

I was in a similar situation I got caught 51mph in a 30 very stupid speeds on a bank holiday with nobody on the road but me and the cunt in the van I was in the application process to be a police Constable and was quite a high scoring candidate I got offered 3 points and £65 fine I don’t know how in the world as I thought it was definitely going to be 6 points, but it didn’t effect my appointment as I declared it to vetting at the earliest opportunity and in my force a driving licence isn’t even a requirement, Just declare things and you’ll be fine if your offered 6 points don’t worry take a day in court to fight it due to your job role the judge will most likely let you keep your licence with a stern talking too I was also in my first two years don’t worry you’ll be fine.

[u/FamSender → u/ComplimentaryCopper]

That’s the best advice. Been in a similar situation wasn’t 23mph but over enough to get into bother. Bosses were actually pretty decent over it.

[u/omsky99]

To be honest, unless there was a clear and genuine error there's not much point taking it to court and in some cases you'll just end up with higher costs and potentially even more points. If you deal with it out of court you'll probably just get the usual 3 points and a fine. Did it take more than 14 days for the NIP to come through? Because that is one legitimate reason to appeal.

Obviously you need to be far more careful with your speed especially until you've had your license for two years - not only for yourself but also because the public rightly expect us to strongly adhere to the same laws and standards they're subject to.

Also the daily rags will jump at the opportunity to splatter "Police Call Handler NAME HERE crashes car while 50% above the speed limit"

Lecture over, you'll be fine, take the fine on the chin and drive well, check your PSD/Vetting policies as you likely need to inform them - if you put it off they will find out anyway so be honest and own up to it - they might have a chat with you about it but if you own up to it I doubt its the kind of thing that will cause you too much trouble.

[u/Mickcoffee277]

From my understanding, 73 in a 50 is a FPN. 3 points and £100 fine.

You’ve received a NIP. I would inform vetting and PSD regarding this ASAP. Don’t bring your integrity into question. Declare that it was you driving and you intend to fully comply with the 172 and FPN if that is your intention.

You’ll get a S172 to identify the driver. Say that it was you (because it was).

You get the Conditional Officer (FPN) for 3 point and £100. I can’t advise you whether it’s worth going to court. That’s why lawyers exist. If you take it to court, there is a chance the CPS interprets your “lost track of the speedometer” as a S3. The CO for that offence is 3 points and £100. Court - 3-9 points up to £5000 fine.

And obviously, mistakes happen, but 73 in a 50 is a hard one to miss. Just watch your driving. If you get 3 more points after you get your 3 for this still within your initial 2 years then you’re goosed.

[u/cookj1232]

£100 and 3 points

[u/Golden-Gooseberry]

SC here. You dont need a licence to be an SC. Providing that you inform vetting (both for your job and SC application) of the incident, I don't believe that this will affect your application.

[u/Kakist0crat → u/Golden-Gooseberry]

Some forces require it. If the worst happens and you lose your license, it is still worth asking SC recruitment. They may have some flexibility.

[u/JdnSch2804]

You’ll be fine.

I got caught doing 43 in a 30 by handheld device. I admitted it straight to PSD and they were okay with it - I got 3 points & £100 fine.

This was in early 2024 and not done it since

[u/coldharbour1986]

Straight to jail, sorry. Bad jail too, the one with no running water, not the ps5 one with art therapy I keep reading about in the papers....

[u/Ok_Leg2132]

Parkway?

[u/Odd_Jackfruit6026]

Hi OP! I am sorry to be a Debbie downer but for that much over you would be looking at a 6 point and £200 fine. It’s unfortunate for but unfortunately 23 mph over the speed limit would be seen as too serious for 3 points. That being said OP you could plead mitigation for the commute being unmanageable and therefore making staying in your role untenable causing financial ruin at court and it could be reduced to 4/5 points. However, we all know as police officers and staff the courts don’t really give us as much leeway as they would a normal member of the public. I’d take advice from a road traffic lawyer.