Speed Cameras

With increasing numbers of gatso and other speed cameras in use, even the most cautious motorist can be at risk of penalty points and possible disqualification. In addition vehicle keepers may find themselves being accused of motoring offences even if they weren’t driving. Our advice has helped many drivers to avoid penalty points and potential disqualification.

In most camera cases, the vehicle isn’t stopped and so the Police won’t know who was driving. In order to find out they usually send a Notice of Intended Prosecution to the vehicle’s Registered Keeper, who is not necessarily the driver, and request the name of the driver at the time of the offence.

The Police must serve the Notice of Intended Prosecution on either the driver or the Registered Keeper within 14 days of the alleged offence. If they are out of time the driver cannot be convicted of speeding. However, failure to receive the form in time doesn’t automatically mean the driver cannot be prosecuted. This is because there are complicated rules relating to how the 14 days are calculated. We can advise you about this.

The Police may also serve a Notice on anyone else they believe to have information about who was driving.

Failure to name the driver is an offence, for which you can now receive 6 penalty points or a disqualification, as well as a fine, (even if you weren’t yourself the driver). However, there are various possible defences and we can advise you about them.

(For offences committed before 24th September 2007, penalty points are limited to 3).