I was flashed running a red light nearly 3 weeks ago, but have heard nothing. Is there a period when the ticket should be issued? Or is there a time period after which it becomes invalid?
(Mr Alex Grammenos, 30 September 2008)
A.
If you go through a red light without stopping or are caught out speeding above the legal limit, you are likely to be issued with a Notice of Intended Prosecution or NIP. These can be issued on the spot or in the case of an automatic camera placed near the lights or on the stretch of road where you commit the offence, then the first time you'll know you've been caught for definite is when the ticket appears on your doormat. But how long should this take?
Flashed by a camera
If you have been 'flashed' by a camera, or think you have, then the next few weeks can bring a tense wait, while you wait to see what the postman brings each day. In this scenario, the registered keeper of the vehicle should expect to be informed by post within 14 days, and when it arrives, the NIP should contain information on the location, the alleged offence and the time and place that it took place.
If the ticket does not reach the offender, or the registered keeper of the vehicle within 14 days, then it can be considered invalid - unless one of the following conditions is applicable:
If the offender was issued with a ticket on the spot by a police officer
If the notice was sent by post within a reasonable time so that it could be expected to arrive within 14 days (for example, if a postal strike was to interrupt normal service), then it can be deemed that the NIP has been served even though it didn't arrive within the normal 14 day window. This is unusual, but worth bearing in mind.
If the vehicle is involved in an accident and the driver knows this, then the police don't have to send an NIP.
If the police haven't been able to get the name and address, or if the offender didn't comply with providing this information - someone driving a work or hire car could fall under this condition.
If an address is not available or the offender has moved on without notifying the DVLA, then service at the last good known address of the offender will be seen as enough effort from the issuing authority.
In the case above, if none of the above conditions apply, then it would seem that you've not been issued with a ticket this time. Do remember how dangerous it is to Run Red Lights, and try to make sure you don't make the same mistake again!
I was pulled over on 8 Sept 2011 but did not receive a ticket from the police officer. He said that a court summons would be sent to me by mail with in a month. I am in the United States Air Force stationed in the U.K. (fyi). I didn't receive anything in the mail and finally got an email from the British Liaison Officer on 8 Nov 2011 to meet for an appointment with a MoD police member to be served my summons. The appointment was on 10 Nov 2011 were I was served the follow offenses:1. Speeding – your vehicle was recorded as travelling between 90 – 111 mph on a 70 mph road, namely the A142. Illegal Tire – When the police inspected your vehicle they noticed the front nearside tire was illegal in that the tread was not of the required depth3. No MoT certificateWould this still fall within the 14 day rule because 2 months seems quite a long time to get a summons? Also the officer said that I was traveling 95 mph when he pulled me over. The circumstances were; it was 4 a.m., there was no one else on the rode, my vehicle's speedometer is in kph, and I was late for a manditory military movement out of the country. Do you think these circumstances would help my case at all? I should have not been speeding at all and I would have avoided this whole mess. Not smart.
Harb - 14 November 2011 @ 3:40 AM
My daughter has received a notice to prosecute 13th may for failing to stop at a red light. The offence took place in february. Is this a reasonable amount of time. She had only been passed a week and can't remember any situation like this. Where does she stand?
Jan - 31 May 2011 @ 11:52 PM
I received a penalty notice for a moving traffic offence (from those cameras on top of a lamp post) in Camden which I disagreed with so appealed. The appeal was rejected but still I appealed again and was given a personal hearing. The hearing was also rejected but still I disagreed with the decision so again wrote a letter with my reasoning. This went on for about a year in total. It has been about a year and a half since I wrote that last letter and never had a reply from them. I obviously have paid nothing. Where do I stand now? Has the time elapsed for them to continue with the case or will I be liable to receive an unwelcome surprise one day?
Many thanks
MrBond - 23 May 2011 @ 8:15 PM
I received a first ticket within 14 days however the car was a previous vehicle I had owned but with my reg. I returned it telling them I no longer owned that vehicle.
They have now sent me another ticket outside of the 14 days limit is this legal?
