Warwickshire driver uses 'medieval rights' to try and avoid speeding conviction
He's been given six points on his license for failing to provide information about the identity of a driver caught speeding.
Warwickshire Magistrates Court sentenced a 28 year old driver to 6 points on his licence, £660 fine, £90 costs and £264 victim surcharge amounting to over £1000 on 8 June 2023, for failing to give information relating to the identity of the driver when required in relation to a speeding offence.
The owner’s vehicle was caught driving at 58mph in a 50mph limit through temporary road works on 30 December 2022.
He received a Notice of Intended Prosecution requiring him to confirm the identity of the driver. However instead of doing this, he decided to send numerous documents quoting medieval laws and customs, and demands for millions of pounds, in an attempt to avoid his legal obligation.
Inspector Dave Valente said “Let me be clear, all drivers on UK roads are subject to the statutory requirements of the Road Traffic Act. This includes driving licences, vehicles being MOT’d, insured and taxed. It also means complying with the speed limit, and the consequences of failing to do so. Drivers who respond with extensive demands based on ancient medieval customs, will not evade prosecution.
“Our aim is to make our roads safer for everyone and that includes ensuring drivers comply with the speed limit. We would much prefer to educate and change behaviour first, and for drivers to attend a speed awareness course where eligible – you can do one every 3 years if the excess speed is within a threshold– but this driver gave us no choice and the case was sent to court.
“It is really sad that this driver is required to pay over £1000 in various court costs, and received 6 points on his licence, when he was eligible for a speed awareness course outcome instead.”
“Unfortunately this is not a one off case. We have noticed an increase in those who quote this type of material, to avoid the consequence of a speeding offence. This driver found out the hard way, trying to avoid a speeding prosecution could cost them a lot more, than responding in accordance with the Road Traffic Act.”