Speeding offences rife in greater Devon region

Earlier this month, 57-year-old music instructor Oliver William Felix Gibbons pleaded guilty to exceeding the speed limit on the A361 at South Molton last year in May while driving a Peugeot 206. Gibbons explained to the court that he made a terrible mistake in thinking that an open road gave him permission to drive like Steve McQueen. Speeding offenses such as these have been rife in Devon as well as Cornwall, accounting for 9 out of 10 traffic violations in the counties during the course of 2018-19. In reality, this equates to approximately 47,272 drivers caught driving over the speed limit over the course of two years.

Speeding increases the risk of road accidents

Gibbon was lucky that his reckless driving did not cause an accident, as speeding has been identified as one of the foremost contributors to road vehicle accidents in the UK. Driving over the speed limit can result in a number of dangerous situations such as losing control of the vehicle, reduced reaction time, a reduction in the car’s safety features, and a significant increase in the severity of injuries sustained during an accident. Although speeding is always considered to be risky behavior it is even more hazardous when traveling on unkempt roads or during inclement weather conditions.

Speedsters pay for their crimes

When caught speeding, Gibbons was driving at no less than 108mph - a whopping 48mph over the speed limit. Although he was unrepresented, he could have enlisted the help of a speeding lawyer to help him secure the best possible outcome in court. At the end of proceedings, the magistrate pointed out Gibbons’ tainted driving history to him and stated that his driving habits were of great concern to them. Under current UK law, a speeding motorist can be fined up 175% of their weekly salary up to a limit of £1,000 on normal roads and up to £2,500 on motorways on a sliding scale dependent on the severity of their driving offense. Lucky to escape far more severe punishment, Gibbons was disqualified from driving for 56 days with fins amounting to a total of £235.

There aren’t many valid reasons for speeding

There are not many instances that warrant anyone driving over the speed limit and especially not a mid-life crisis as was stated by Gibbons during his testimony in court. Some of the most common reasons drivers speed include running late for an appointment/work/school, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and driving while distracted by an electronic device or passenger. There is also an increasing number of thrill-seekers on the road that drive at frightening speeds showing no regard for their own lives or those of other road users.

Speeding is one of the most dangerous types of reckless driving anyone can engage in. By keeping to the speed limit, people will not only avoid having to pay hefty fines but will reduce their risk of being in a devastating accident significantly as well.