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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Nino Williams

The loophole that allows some drivers to escape speeding fines

Drivers are able to reject speeding tickets due to a little-known loophole used by David Beckham.

The Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 says motorists accused of committing a traffic offence must be told within two weeks, so motorists asked to pay a speeding fine more than a fortnight later can reject paying the penalty fine, according to the legislation.

The accused driver must reply with a not guilty plea and then argue their case in court if they are to successfully to avoid a ticket.

READ MORE: 'Is it illegal to drive with...': All the ways you could be breaking the law when you get behind the wheel

Police need to show the ticket should have reached the car's registered owner under normal circumstances within 14 days.

It was this loophole used by David Beckham after he was caught speeding at 59mph in a 40mph zone in Paddington in 2018.

His lawyer Nick Freeman - nicknamed 'Mr Loophole' - argued the papers arrived a single day too late because the recorded delivery notice arrived on February 7, and the incident happened on January 23.

Drivers can also avoid a speeding fine if they are offered a speed awareness course or are a first-time offender,

Traffic fines depend on how much over the speed limit drivers are travelling. They are usually a percentage of the driver's income, but can rise to £1,000 or up to £2,500 if issued for driving on a motorway.

Car owners who fail to report driver details to police after their vehicle is caught breaking the law on camera face a £1000 fine and six penalty points - even if they weren't in the car

Fines have risen to tens of thousands of pounds more recently.

Ant McPartlin was charged £86,000 and banned for 20 months in April 2018 after being caught drunk driving.

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