We are well recognised, local and reputable motor offence solicitors firm located close to Stockport. We have handled thousands of cases and have given 100% unique and tailored advice to every one of our clients. We are personable, professional and have a team that will always be in your corner.
JMR Solicitors LLP was recognised by the Prime Minister, David Cameron himself, as the number 1 female led fastest growing business in the UK in 2015. This wasn’t done by accident, it comes our unique approach and belief that our clients are our most valuable assets; and we operate an open culture and a team based approach that reflects this.
At JMR Solicitors our specialist motoring offences department takes a friendly proactive approach, applying their considerable knowledge and expertise with the aim of getting you the best possible outcome as cost-effectively as possible. We are aware that a motoring offence can have drastic consequences, and we are committed to ensuring that these consequences are mitigated, fair penalties are received or avoided all-together where appropriate.
We understand that there are sometimes situations that require actions which can amount to a motoring offence that are beyond a driver’s control, and as such each case will be taken on its individual merits and circumstances. At JMR, we can deal with the entire process for you to give you peace of mind. We can also take over a case at any stage of the process, from initial enquiry to court representations.
SEATBELT OFFENCES
The law with regards to wearing a seatbelt is very strict in the UK. If you are found guilty of a seatbelt offence you could face a fine of £500.00. It is obligatory for an adult to wear a seatbelt when there is one available. The only exceptions to this are in the following circumstances:
- You are in a vehicle used for police, fire or rescue services
- You are driving a goods vehicle that is travelling a maximum of 50 metres between stops
- You are a licensed taxi either carrying passengers or plying for hire
- You are a passenger in a trade vehicle and investigating a fault
- You are reversing or supervising a learner driver who is reversing
- You are a qualified driving examiner who might endanger yourself or others by being restricted by a seatbelt
- You may be exempt from wearing a seatbelt due to medical grounds, but only if you have been provided with a Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing from your doctor. This certificate must be kept in your vehicle at all times.
If you are driving a car that is not equipped with seatbelts, such as a classic car, you do not have to wear a seatbelt. In these types of cars, it is an offence to carry a child under the age of 3 years. Children over the age of 3 years may travel in the back seat of this type of car. This only applied to cars that were originally manufactured without seatbelts. Further instances of seatbelt offences include over-occupancy, where there are more people seated in a vehicle than there are seatbelts available. Children must also use the correct car seat for their weight until they reach wither their 12th birthday or 135 cm tall, whichever occurs first.
SPEEDING
Speeding is the most common road traffic offences in the UK, totalling nearly 50,000 offences resulting in a motorist being summoned to Court per year. The penalties for speeding offences differ depending on the type and severity of the offence and can include a speed awareness course, penalty points on your licence or a driving ban.
It is important for all motorists to understand the law when driving. The national speed limits are as follows:
- Built up areas: 30mph (20mph in some, signposted areas)
- Single carriageways: 60mph
- Dual carriageways and motorways: 70mph, unless otherwise stated
- The law is fairly straightforward when it comes to speeding offences; if you are caught speeding you are breaking the law. Any person who is caught speeding does have the right to challenge that allegation or appeal the case if they are already convicted of speeding.
In all speeding cases, the prosecution will have to show that the driver was driving at a speed in excess of the national speed limit for the road that they were on. If they can prove this, the prosecution will most likely be successful. However, there are circumstances where a defence can be raised. At JMR Solicitors, we can attempt to raise a defence where there was a legitimate reason for speeding so as to reduce the penalty. Please note that the Court only need to prove that a driver was speeding, so ignorance to the speed of travel will not amount to a defence in these cases.
FAILURE TO STOP
If you are involved in a road traffic accident where personal injury or damage has been caused to someone other than yourself, it is an offence to fail to stop. As the driver of the vehicle, it is your responsibility to either exchange details with the other parties at the scene or to report the incident to the police at a police station within 24 hours of the incident, or as soon as reasonably practicable.
Failure to stop is a serious offence and can carry a penalty of a 26 week custodial sentence, between 5-10 penalty points in addition to a £5,000 fine. The sentence would depend on the severity of the case, which would be judged on the degree of damage caused or any efforts made by the accused to stop or report the incident.
It is possible to defend these cases. There is no time limit to how long the defendant must remain at the scene of the incident, and the duty to stop only applied when the defendant was aware that the incident occurred. It is sometimes the case that a person is accused of being involved in an accident that they have no knowledge of. In this situation, we can help to assess any prosecution against you to advise you of the best strategy to get the best possible outcome.