The Dangers of Speed
16 March 2020
If your minibus adventures take you into London, then you should know that 9km of roads in central London had their speed limit lowered to 20mph on March 2 2020. The changes, which are being introduced by Transport for London (TfL), aim to reduce road danger and will involve all speed cameras being recalibrated to ensure the proper enforcement of the new speed restrictions. As a school minibus leasing specialist, we at Marshall Minibus hold safety as our number one priority. Therefore, we want your minibus drivers to be aware of the dangers of speeding and what the possible punishments are for breaking the speed limit.
The reason why speed limits are so important is that speed is one of the most common factors in vehicle collisions, with the TfL reporting that speed was a factor in 37% of crashes in London which resulted in serious injury or fatality. Speed restrictions reflect this which is why lower speed limits are in place in higher populated areas.
Due to the severe implications of speeding, the punishments are strict and non-negotiable. Firstly, you will be categorised into one of three brackets depending on the seriousness of the offence. Category A for speeding up to 10mph over the limit will land you with a £100 fine and 3 points. Over the speed limit by up to 20mph will find you in category B with a fine of up to 125% of your weekly income and 4-6 points on your licence. For the most serious offenders, travelling 21mph or more over the speed limit will result in a fine of up to 175% of your weekly income with the potential to be disqualified from driving for up to 56 days.
The speed limit is the law and travelling just 1mph over it, is considered breaking it. However, there is guidance from the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) that suggests a leeway of 10% plus 2mph. For example, this would mean if you’re travelling at 34mph in a 30pmh zone you may avoid punishment. However, this is only guidance and may not always be used by law enforcement. If you ever lease a minibus with us you can be assured that our passengers' safety is our main priority, so some vehicles have in built speed caps, to prevent accidental speeding.
Although there may be leeway on speed, there isn’t when it comes to excuses. Some of the most common excuses used are: not being aware of the speed limit, the roads were quiet, and it was an emergency. It is very rare for speeding offences to be overturned. To try and prevent speeding, when you lease a minibus with us and drive it, there are certain driving license and age requirements, to ensure the safety of those on board.
At Marshall Minibus, the safety of your journeys is always the priority. That is why we are always on hand to offer safety advice and guidance for all your minibus adventures. To find out more about our school minibus leasing and minibus finance services, visit our “Why Use Us” website page or call us directly on 01480 220444.
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