Speed Enforcement Thresholds

[Lunkhead]

Guys

All UK forces abide by national guidelines regarding the speed thresholds for enforcement.

These figures are published by Hertfordshire Police, but certainly South Wales and other local forces comply with the same, even if they don't openly circulate the fact.

The threshold for all enforcement is 10% + 2mph. Then up to 10% + 9mph gets you a National Speed Awareness Course. Up to 10% + 21mph means a Fixed Penalty Notice (or RIDE where available).  10% + 22mph and over earns you a trip to the magistrates (Report For Summons).

If this is confusing:

30mph limit >> 35 - 42 = NSAC, 43 - 54 = FPN, 55+ = RFS
40mph limit >> 46 - 53 = NSAC, 54 - 64 = FPN, 65+ = RFS
50mph limit >> 57 - 64 = NSAC, 65 - 74 = FPN, 75+ = RFS
60mph limit >> 68 - 75 = NSAC, 76 - 84 = FPN, 85+ = RFS
70mph limit >> 79 - 86 = NSAC, 87 - 94 = FPN, 95+ = RFS

The important things to realise is that below the NSAC figure, the offence is ignored. No action, nada. Relax. This is because there is a statutory allowance of 10% in your favour to allow for speedometer inaccuracy (although all speedometers are optimistic), so the threshold is just 2mph above this.
Therefore if you should receive a ticket for below this, write a nice letter pointing out that the threshold has not been passed. The matter should then be discontinued.

The other thing is that if an officer offers you a fixed penalty at speeds above the FPN figures, take it and pay with a smile. The alternative is worse should you start to argue. Tip - always be nice and eat humble pie when stopped even if it hurts.

Hopefully this information will be useful and mean an end to the guys and gals getting low-figure speeding tickets.

Remember, the NSAC is only available if the identity of rider is provided within time and the speed is uncontested. Generally speaking any contest means RFS no matter what the speed so that the magistrates can sort it out.

The last thing to remember is that if the speed is totally inappropriate for the circumstances (nature of the road, weather etc) you can still get done for careless or dangerous even if the speed is quite low. This option entails a whole load of paperwork for an officer, who will therefore avoid it if possible.

[snoopy]

uumm I got 3 points and a fine  33 in a 30  .. fixed camera

AND  i went on a ''re-education course for another scamera van .. but it is up to them if they offer the course not ALL forces do,     

[yoyo]

They seem a bit on the soft side, 54 in a 30 and get offered a course? I know someone that would send a driver down for that! lol

[stellawall]

wow interesting  

[The Stig]

@ Yoyo without soap on a rope privileges lol

I think you only get offered the driving course once though.

[Paul]

Can you provide the link for this data?

[Foody]

Good info.

[Bombdoctor]

Sooo..if this IS true..how come the Mrs got 3 points for SLOWING down but doing 38 entering a 30 then..on the A470 at Llyswen????

[Monkey Boy]

I think like it says these are only guidelines so would depend entirely on the mood of the police person stopping you. Plus it doesn't take into account speed cameras 

[Cwmdu86]

Heard recently that the 'guidelines' are not being followed by all forces and there has been an increase in zero tolerance in built up areas.

[Paul]

Sounds a bit iffy to me.  What about the 30% rule?

[Gasman]

I think they are called 'guidelines' for a reason. They do not need to be adhered to. I'd rather not chance it.

My bike speedo matches the speed display down the road at 30, my car speedo reads 3mph over at 30.

I've had points twice now. That is enough for me.:-)

[snoopy]

I think they are called 'guidelines' for a reason. They do not need to be adhered to. I'd rather not chance it.

My bike speedo matches the speed display down the road at 30, my car speedo reads 3mph over at 30.

I've had points twice now. That is enough for me.:-)

exactly !!     

[Lunkhead]

The link is here;
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If the tables come up as plain white, highlight them to display the text.

These thresholds are specifically for the SCP, ie fixed 'Gatso' cameras and camera vans. They are less likely to be used by officers,
although they should be aware of them. The attitude test is something which is used by them, ie if you come across as a stroppy knob,
 you can fail and jump to a higher level of enforcement (try the phrase "Have you nothing better to do" for best effect).
 

I don't know of any '30% rule', can someone enlighten me?

Another thing is that the guidelines can and do change, both permanently for policy purposes and temporarily when an 'operation' is running.

The device neither knows nor cares whether you are slowing or accelerating; it is an instantaneous reading (tip - the devices
 sometimes fire two checks which have to compare; if you jam on the brakes it could refuse to display until a stable speed is achieved) And yes, you only get educated once.
If you didn't pay attention to the course maybe you will to the magistrate.

I am assured by staff at the SCP that these figures are currently adhered to across Wales for sure. They are actually displayed inside the vans.

The lowest level is actually quite low and easily achieved when cresting a brow, so pay attention people. Don't try to take advantage; use the thresholds for the purpose that they were invented.

As I said, if you have a ticket below the guidelines, write a letter asking for an explanation, you may find the matter is discontinued. This is why I've posted this.

[Lunkhead]

Sooo..if this IS true..how come the Mrs got 3 points for SLOWING down but doing 38 entering a 30 then..on the A470 at Llyswen????

Because you didn't have this information!

Knowledge is power within the public sector - and you'd be amazed at the low level of knowledge amongst some people in power.