West Yorkshire Is UK’s Speeding Ticket Hotspot
West Yorkshire has come top of the table for issuing the most speeding tickets across the UK. West Yorkshire Police issued more than twice the number of speeding tickets than any other police force in the country. An incredible 142,610 speeding tickets were given out by West Yorkshire Police in 2017. This was more than double what was issued by Surrey Police, who sit in second place with 62,623 tickets. Does this mean West Yorkshire has the least safe roads in Britain?
Highest Record Speed Offence
While West Yorkshire already comes first for the number of speeding tickets handed out, it also holds the unenviable title of being home to the highest speed offence recorded in 2017. West Yorkshire Police caught a driver speeding at 160mph in a 70mph speed limit. But while these speeds may seem incredible, they have huge implications for all road users. West Yorkshire has seen the number of road deaths double in just one year, with 85 people killed in road traffic collisions last year, almost twice as many as in 2017.
Penalties For Speeding
A driver caught speeding can be fined between £100 and £1000, and have 3 to 6 points added to their licence. If you have 12 or more points on your licence within three years, then you could be disqualified from driving. If you are a new driver and passed your driving test less than two years ago, you will lose your driving licence if you have 6 or more points. Earlier this month, a drunk driver who overtook a school bus while speeding on a blind bend was given a suspended jail sentence for leading police on a 24-minute pursuit along Kirkby Road, Hemsworth near Wakefield. The driver overtook the bus on a blind bend at 60mph in a 30mph zone. He also drove the wrong way around several roundabouts and mounted footpaths.
What Happens If You Are Caught By Speed Camera?
You may realise that you have been caught by a speed camera if you see a very bright double flash from behind you. This will be the speed camera taking two photographs of your vehicle. However, don’t be surprised if you receive a notification without having seen a flash. Not all speed cameras give an obvious bright flash. Many motorists only discover they’ve been caught by a camera when they receive a letter through the post within 14 days. This letter is a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and a Section 172 notice. You will need to return your completed Section 172 notice within 28 days. You’ll then receive a Fixed Penalty Notice, giving you the option to plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty then you are accepting the fine and penalty points being added to your driving licence. If it is the first time you have been caught speeding, you may be offered a speed awareness course. If you don’t accept that you are guilty, want to appeal the speeding ticket or are worried about whether you could lose your licence, then you may wish to get expert advice from a speeding lawyer, who can help you through the process.
Yorkshire Road Safety Initiatives
While the number of speeding offences in West Yorkshire has risen by 13%, road safety experts believe this is due to improved detection and the introduction of 20mph speed limits in built-up areas, which have caught out a number of drivers. West Yorkshire Police are also increasing their use of motorcycle officers, while investing in educating drivers has also become a priority. Thousands of West Yorkshire’s drivers who have been caught speeding have attended speed awareness courses instead of being given a fine and penalty points on their licence. West Yorkshire is also keen for the community to assist them in catching speeding and dangerous motorists by working on creating an online facility where members of the public can send in their dash-cam footage of bad driving in West Yorkshire.
West Yorkshire Police are working hard to increase road safety and reduce the number of people hurt or killed by speeding drivers. But while more initiatives are being introduced to help keep our roads safer for everyone, every West Yorkshire motorist has a responsibility to ensure they drive safely and legally on every journey.
