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You break the speed limit, the camera flashes, what happens now?
The camera film containing photographs of your offence is taken to the Central Ticket Office in Maidstone. The film is read to verify that an offence has been committed and the vehicle registration details have been recorded. The registration number is logged on a central computer which, if you are the registered keeper of the vehicle, will produce your name and address.
A form is sent to the registered keeper within 14 days of the offence. The form asks if you were the driver of the vehicle and gives you the opportunity to say whether it was someone else driving, if it was a hire vehicle or the vehicle was owned by someone else at the time of the offence. If it was any of these, a new NIP will be issued to the person you have identified.
A form may also be enclosed - this offers you the chance to pay a £60 fixed penalty fine and have your licence endorsed with 3 penalty points instead of going to court. You may wish to contest the allegation at court, which is your right. However, if magistrates find you guilty you may have to pay court costs of several hundred pounds, plus up to the maximum penalty of £1,000 and receive 6 penalty points on your licence.
If your licence already has 9 points and/or your speed was excessive, you will not receive a Conditional Offer. Instead a file will be prepared and your case will be dealt with directly by the Magistrates' Court.
The registered keeper has 28 days to respond to the forms.
If you fail to respond to the NIP a summons will be issued and you may be required to attend a magistrates' court in the district where the speeding or red light running offence took place, where they will deal with the case as above.
If you fail to complete or sign the NIP, you will be summonsed for the secondary offence of. |
