this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2025
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[–] robocall@lemmy.world 74 points 2 weeks ago (31 children)

38mph in a 30mph zone

Seems strict to me. but I'm not British.

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 103 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (4 children)

30 is for built up areas. Also key is that jaywalking isn’t a thing in Britain. Pedestrians always have right of way and can cross the street at any point so in urban areas motorists must be prepared to stop at any time.

There’s also a 10% grace where prosecutions under that are unusal. But the chances of survival being hit at 38mph are significantly lower than at 30, or even 33.

The ban is for exceeding the penalty points on her licence. She had 9pts before this conviction, and speeding carries 6-8pts which has put her over the 12pt limit, which she accumulated over 3yrs so that’s a 6-month ban.

After 6 months she will need to take her driving test again and reapply for her licence.

[–] Cherry@piefed.social 67 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

Just as this this guy says

you dont get a ban for the first instance. This shows repeated offences. Lucky she has the money for a driver.

I have little patience for serial speeders. Gripe all you like, but speed limits save lives.

[–] RisingSwell@lemmy.dbzer0.com 18 points 2 weeks ago

Particularly in populated areas, slow the fuck down. Too many people could get hurt, go speed somewhere the people aren't.

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[–] catty@lemmy.world 17 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

But the chances of survival being hit at 38mph are significantly lower than at 30, or even 33.

I've been knocked down by a car doing 5mph. My head was embedded in the bonnet, bounced off it, and then I was on the road staring at the underside and tyre of a fortunately stopped car before my puny human brain could figure out what happened.

Being hit, even at 5mph, is not something you'd want, let alone 38.

[–] MrsDoyle@sh.itjust.works 11 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

My idiot sister racked up nine points in six months after moving to the UK. She claimed not to have seen the 40mph sign she blew past at 50. "They're so small!" She only started paying attention when she realised she was one ticket away from a ban.

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[–] chuckleslord@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

In America, we give medals for that kind of gumption, not punish it

/j (but only by the barest amount)

[–] crapwittyname@feddit.uk 18 points 2 weeks ago

She already had nine points on her licence, so she's a repeat offender, hence the book getting thrown at her.
Conversely, this happened in Oxford, which is well known for being strict on drivers. She might have got away with it elsewhere.

[–] Pumafred9@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (5 children)

You can go from a 40mph zone to a 30mph on the same stretch of road. But there are signs well in advance to indicate the speed change. It's quite common for the rozzers to be 'sat' waiting in these spots to catch those that don't slow down in time.

[–] hitmyspot@aussie.zone 11 points 2 weeks ago

It's common to get caught. It's less common to get gmcaight lots of times. Particularly for someone who doesn't drive a lot. Like wealthy people with drivers. She should sloelw down. Matthew Broderick too

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[–] JimVanDeventer@lemmy.world 44 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (3 children)

61km/h instead of 48km/h. You’re welcome.

[–] Kekzkrieger@feddit.org 11 points 2 weeks ago (6 children)

I dont find this too wild honestly.

[–] Lauchmelder@feddit.org 13 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

I do. Driving 61 instead of 48 km/h increases your distance to stop at an emergency by almost 8m. This is assuming 300ms reaction time. By the time you would have stopped at 48km/h you would still be ramming whatever it is you're emergency braking for with ~~40km/h~~ 15km/h if you go 61km/h.

Speeding is no joke, please read about how braking distance scales with speed. Especially if you go 50km/h in a 30 you're spelling a death sentence for anyone and anything running into the streets. And no, "they shouldn't run on the street" is not an argument, children and animals will always do unpredictable things, and being inattentive isn't a reason to execute someone

Edit: used km/h instead of m/s in my calculations

[–] Kekzkrieger@feddit.org 7 points 2 weeks ago

Good point, you are absolutely right, also since she was caught multiple times maybe its time for her to rethink her actions

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[–] NickwithaC@lemmy.world 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

38 in a 30.

You're welcome.

[–] Pulptastic@midwest.social 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

There’s a road near my house that has sections at 30mph, 40, and 50. Most folks drive 45 on all three.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I'd be upset if I was behind someone doing 45 when the limit is 50. I wanna go 60, and they're in my way! ^/s^

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[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 37 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Interesting the cultural difference here. People arguing in favor of, or at least the reasonableness of, the law and its application. Americans regularly speed, 20+ mph over the limit is not uncommon. People would lose their shit over a driving ban in the US, and probably keep driving anyway. DUI repeat offenders and suspended license drivers are pretty common.

[–] Revan343@lemmy.ca 48 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

and probably keep driving anyway

In much of the US, the alternative is lose your job and become homeless, so.

[–] kryptonianCodeMonkey@lemmy.world 15 points 2 weeks ago

I had my license suspended for 90 days - due to a paperwork error when I was in college. I just had hope I didnt get pulled over at that time because I had no choice but to drive for school and work.

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[–] HumanPenguin@feddit.uk 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Repeat offenders and unlicensed drivers happen here as well. But the use of cameras makes it much harder then the past.

But having lived in the US. Most of it has so little public transport not driving is impossible. Here it is doable in all but the most remote areas. Just crap compared to the 80s and before. It is still way better the most cities in the US.

[–] LilB0kChoy@midwest.social 5 points 2 weeks ago (5 children)

I wish we had better transit here. I hate driving but, as you said, have to because there's no better solutions.

Are pets allowed on public transit in the UK/Europe?

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"She is in a position to pay the fine."

No shit!

[–] Noerknhar@feddit.org 17 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] j4k3@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Millionaire ($85m) problems. Girl can pay for uber

[–] mannycalavera@feddit.uk 21 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I think the point is that she can but she's still arrogant and entitled enough to speed and get caught... and then speed and get caught again.

[–] Denjin@lemmings.world 14 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

And again, and again. 1st time is 3 points or speed awareness course (why would anyone not do it), then assuming she didn't accrue points in a different way (bald tyres etc) it's 3 points for each subsequent speeding offense and you need 12 points for a 6 month ban. That's 5 times caught speeding in 3 years.

[–] ALiteralCabbage@feddit.uk 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

So she's been caught speeding and got caught again, and again, and again, and again!

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[–] CatpainTypo@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (12 children)

Thames valley police hate the car. I’ve been done a couple of times that way. 33 in a 30 for me last time, Really strict.

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