Traffic Lawyers has again secured a very exceptional result for a motorist travelling significantly in excess of the speed limit.

Our client appeared before Norwich Magistrates’ Court, charged with driving at 120mph, in excess of the 70mph speed limit in force on a dual carriageway. At this speed, the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines provide that a motorist driving at a speed of between 101mph and 110mph should be disqualified from driving for a period of 7-56 days. The guidelines also suggest the imposition of 6 penalty points but there is a distinct emphasis on disqualification.

This particular offence involved a recorded speed, which was ‘off the scale’ in terms of the sentencing guidelines, which provide for a starting point upon sentence.

In these circumstances, Tej Thakkar of Traffic Lawyers did not accept the inevitability of a lengthy disqualification. He presented the Court with mitigation in respect of the offence and the offender. In particular, the Court was addressed on the absence of any aggravating factors, personal circumstances of the client, his exemplary driving record and the implications of any and all driving ban. It was submitted that any period of disqualification would cause severe difficulty to our client, who is self-employed and relies on his ability to drive throughout the UK.

Following some deliberation, the Magistrates’ decided to dispose of the case by endorsing our client’s driving licence with 6 penalty points and imposing a fine of £750.

This case confirms there is no such thing as a ‘lost cause’ or the inevitability of a driving disqualification.

If any of the issues outlined in this article affect you, please feel free to contact a member of the Traffic Lawyers Team, who will be pleased to assist you.