Disqualified driving – ‘Totting up’
If you have been driving for under two years, and you are caught speeding, your licence will be endorsed with a minimum of three points. If this happens again, and the points add up to six, you will lose your license and have to retake your driving test to regain…
Use of Visual Aids in Court
I represented a probationer driver (within 2 years of passing his test) at Redhill Magistrate’ Court. He was charged with failing to stop and failing to report an accident. The two charges could attract up to 10 penalty points; being a probationer driver he would lose his licence if he…
Driving Ban
A driving ban means exactly that, and when it is imposed it takes immediate effect. Recently a disqualified motorist ignored the warnings from the Magistrates and drove away from court after his ban was imposed! He was returned to court and sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment for the offence of…
Negotiation
I recently represented a client at Aldershot Magistrates’ Court who faced two charges: failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident. The sentencing range for these two offences is between 10 penalty points and disqualification. My client was a new driver and faced losing his licence…
Motoring Offences in Guildford
Each year the police target drink drivers in Guildford and surrounding areas. So, when you book your party, ensure you make appropriate arrangements for transport to your home at the end of the evening, or stay overnight. The minimum ban for an offence of drink/driving is 12 months. The worst-case…
Recent Increase in Speeding Prosecutions
We have seen a recent increase in police prosecutions for speeding in and around Guildford, Surrey. According to legislation, roads in built-up areas with street lighting that is not more than 200 yards apart will normally be restricted to 30 mph. If you don’t see speed signs in roads of…
Complicated Aspects of Road Traffic Procedure
I attended Redhill Magistrates Court to deal with a client charged with an offence of speeding; he had already accrued 9 penalty points and was about to receive at least three more, making him a totter. What dates do you use to calculate a three year period for the purpose…
Removal of Disqualification!
A person disqualified from driving for more than 2 years may apply to have his or her licence returned! Certain conditions apply but call for advice.
Avoiding Disqualification
My footballer client fully expected to be disqualified at the Magistrates’ court last Thursday. He had nine points on his licence and collected a further five for a speeding offence. Normally he would have been disqualified for a minimum of six months and receive a hefty fine. Fortunately, he had…
Businessmen – Know Your Limits!
Lack of judgement about your speed, coupled with a lack of judgement about your ability to communicate, could cost you your licence. My working environment, the courtroom, is an artificial place. The rules and customs there are known only to the initiated. To an outsider, it is a mysterious place…