Jump to content

Road traffic incident advice

el_nino

By el_nino
in Roads & Transport

 Share

Recommended Posts

el_nino

el_nino

Posted
Posted

Evening all,

 

Just wanting to seek advice for my father in law.
 

Earlier this year he was caught driving in the wrong direction of the A10 dual carriageway (don’t ask!). He was in the 2nd lane and fortunately the cars going in the correct direction were in the 1st lane. Once he realised he braked hard and did a 3 point turn to go in the correct direction. Luckily no one was harmed. This was all recorded and reported by an off duty police officer. Don’t think he has any excuse just a really bad mistake.

An intention to prosecute letter was sent through the post which he replied to, unfortunately he used an expired 1st class stamp. The letter came back undelivered many months later.


The police  have escalated this to the courts since they think no one has responded. He has to make a court appearance later this month.

 

Just wanting to know if anyone knows what the most probable punishment is likely to be?
 

He’s worried he’ll lose his license. It’s important he keeps his license as he’s a taxi driver and that’s his only income. He’s had a clean license for the last 5 years. He’s happy to take points/pay a fine as he knows his mistake. 

Any advice welcome also.

many thanks In advance 

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/350567-road-traffic-incident-advice/
Share on other sites
malumbu

malumbu

Posted
Posted

Sounds like many points and a large fine - the latter usually depends on income.  Obviously all depends on circumstances.  I expect that if this was a Prince Phillip situation he many have been asked to voluntarily surrender his license.  Going to court is quite serious, speed awareness course is the common course of action when drivers have been a little careless.  My only experience on the size of fine was overhearing a bloke saying he was going to go to court to challenge 3 points speeding, doing 80, on the A2.  The points came with a modest fine maybe a 100 quid plus, court was up to £1200.  This was many years ago.

Practice what he is going to say as mitigating circumstances.

  • Thanks 1
Penguin68

Penguin68

Posted
Posted

Outwith the communications failure were there any other mitigating circumstances - i.e. visibility at the time, confusing signage etc. which might have led him to accidently enter the wrong carriageway? Does he know how this might have occurred?

Clearly when he realised he tried to take the right remedial action. But clearly also he was guilty of the offence, he was driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway, but anything that can be said in mitigation after a guilty plea may lessen the penalties involved. 

If he's a member of a motoring organisation (i.e. AA; RAC) then they I think have legal advisors who may assist (ideally you  need experienced road traffic offences lawyers) and who may be able to present the mitigating case in the best possible light. 

  • Thanks 1
malumbu

malumbu

Posted
Posted

On line suggests 3 points, depends no doubt on circumstances, and how lenient magistrate is regards the size of the fine.  Wouldn't expect there would be any value in paying for legal advice/support unless covered by insurance policy or the like, and unless proper procedure has not been followed probably no value

  • Thanks 1
el_nino

el_nino

Posted
  • Author
Posted
4 hours ago, Penguin68 said:

Outwith the communications failure were there any other mitigating circumstances - i.e. visibility at the time, confusing signage etc. which might have led him to accidently enter the wrong carriageway? Does he know how this might have occurred?

Clearly when he realised he tried to take the right remedial action. But clearly also he was guilty of the offence, he was driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway, but anything that can be said in mitigation after a guilty plea may lessen the penalties involved. 

If he's a member of a motoring organisation (i.e. AA; RAC) then they I think have legal advisors who may assist (ideally you  need experienced road traffic offences lawyers) and who may be able to present the mitigating case in the best possible light. 

He tells me that the gps location on his phone was bouncing around which confused him, which potentially caused him to miss the road signs. 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Advertise Here

  • Latest Discussions

    • malumbu
      Oh David / Is David Lammy Toast?

      By malumbu · Posted

      The current wave of xenophobia is due to powerful/influential people stirring up hatred.  It;'s what happened in the past, think 1930s Germany.  It seems to be even easier now as so many get their information from social media, whether it is right or wrong.  The media seeking so called balance will bring some nutter on, they don't then bring a nutter on to counteract that. They now seem to turn to Reform at the first opportunity. So your life is 'shite', let;s blame someone else.  Whilst sounding a bit like a Tory, taking some ownership/personal responsibility would be a start.  There are some situations where that may be more challenging, in deindustrialised 'left behind' wasteland we can't all get on our bikes and find work.  But I loathe how it is now popular to blame those of us from relatively modest backgrounds, like me, who did see education and knowledge as a way to self improve. Now we are seen by some as smug liberals......  
    • Dogkennelhillbilly
      Dell Autos is closing tomorrow

      By Dogkennelhillbilly · Posted

      Kwik Fit buggered up an A/C leak diagnosis for me (saying there wasn't one, when there was) and sold a regas. The vehicle had to be taken to an A/C specialist for condensor replacement and a further regas. Not impressed.
    • HeadNun
      Oh David / Is David Lammy Toast?

      By HeadNun · Posted

      Yes, these are all good points. I agree with you, that division has led us down dangerous paths in the past. And I deplore any kind of racism (as I think you probably know).  But I feel that a lot of the current wave of xenophobia we're witnessing is actually more about a general malaise and discontent. I know non-white people around here who are surprisingly vocal about immigrants - legal or otherwise. I think this feeling transcends skin colour for a lot of people and isn't as simple as, say, the Jew hatred of the 1930s or the Irish and Black racism that we saw laterally. I think people feel ignored and looked down upon.  What you don't realise, Sephiroth, is that I actually agree with a lot of what you're saying. I just think that looking down on people because of their voting history and opinions is self-defeating. And that's where Labour's getting it wrong and Reform is reaping the rewards.   
    • malumbu
      The economy, a sensible debate in advance of the budget

      By malumbu · Posted

      @Sephiroth you made some interesting points on the economy, on the Lammy thread. Thought it worth broadening the discussion. Reeves (irrespective of her financial competence) clearly was too downbeat on things when Labour came into power. But could there have been more honesty on the liklihood of taxes going up (which they have done, and will do in any case due to the freezing of personal allowances).  It may have been a silly commitment not to do this, but were you damned if you do and damned if you don't?

East Dulwich Forum

Established in 2006, we are an online community discussion forum for people who live, work in and visit SE22.

Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...