A motorist from South Gloucestershire has been disqualified from driving and ordered to pay hundreds of pounds after being caught exceeding a temporary speed limit on two major motorways.
The Speeding Offence and Court Ruling
The incident involved a 51-year-old driver who was caught travelling at 68mph in a Range Rover Sport. This offence occurred on sections of the M4 between Junctions 19 and 20 and the M5 between Junctions 15 and 17. An automatic speed camera recorded the vehicle exceeding a clearly signed 60mph speed restriction.
The case was heard at Bath Law Courts, where the driver faced significant financial penalties. The court imposed total charges of £755, which was comprised of a £461 fine, a £184 victim surcharge, and £110 in prosecution costs.
Serious Consequences for Drivers
In addition to the financial penalty, the magistrate handed down a six-month driving ban. This case serves as a stark reminder that variable speed limits on motorways are legally enforceable.
According to the RAC, "It’s important to remember that speed limits should be treated as an absolute maximum – it’s not always safe to drive at this speed in all conditions."
The minimum penalty for a speeding offence is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points on your licence. However, this case demonstrates that more severe breaches can lead to heftier fines and disqualification. If a driver accumulates 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period, they face a mandatory driving ban.
Understanding UK Speed Limits and Enforcement
For cars, the national speed limits are typically:
- 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways
- 60mph on single carriageways
- 30mph in built-up areas, indicated by a red circle sign
The national speed limit sign is a white circle with a single black diagonal stripe. Temporary limits, like the one in this case, are often enforced by fixed speed cameras or temporary camera vans positioned in known speeding hotspots.
This is not an isolated incident. Another driver from Dorset was caught last December travelling at 71mph in another 60mph variable speed limit zone. The most serious speeding offences are dealt with in court and can result in substantial fines and driving disqualifications.
