Drivers and riders travelling at higher speeds have less time and space to avoid collisions and suffer more severe injuries when they do crash.

In Essex, speeding has been a major factor in collisions resulting in someone being killed or seriously injured. Around 43% of these fatal casualties were related to speeding, resulting in the tragic loss of 203 lives.

Speed limits are set for a reason and exceeding them is illegal. The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three points added to your licence, unless you are offered a Speed Awareness retraining course.

Receiving 12 or more points within three years may disqualify you from driving.

If you receive six points during the first two years after passing your test, your licence will automatically be revoked. To get it back you’ll need to apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical tests again.

If you’re caught by a speed camera:

Within 14 days of a vehicle being caught speeding the registered keeper will be sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and a Section 172 notice which legally requires you to assist the police in identifying the driver.

Upon receiving a NIP, the recipient must reply within 28 days, telling the police who was driving the vehicle. The matter will be referred to the magistrate’s court if you ignore the notice.

Once the driver has been identified, they will be offered either:

• The option of taking a speed awareness course – for less serious offences, if the driver has not taken a course in the last 3 years.
• A fixed penalty notice – for moderate offences, or if the driver is not eligible for a course.
• A court summons – for more serious offences.

If you’re stopped by the police, the same options apply but without the need for a NIP to first identify the driver. An officer may exercise their discretion to issue a verbal warning only for minor offences in low-risk situations.