Cars: ’80s saloon cars that time forgot

‘You must not drive faster than the speed limit for the type of road and your type of vehicle.’ The government’s stance is pretty clear, and yet millions of motorists break the speed limit every day.

© Provided by Motoring Research Speed limits and the law

According to Department for Transport statistics, 50 percent of cars exceeded the speed limit on motorways in the first quarter of 2021. That compares to 56 percent on 30mph and 13 percent on 60mph roads.

When the RAC explored the reasons given for breaking the speed limit, drivers were asked to select up to three answers. The top reason was ‘I drive according to the speed of other road users’. A case of following the crowd, then.

'Why isn't this song 10 times better?': Diane Warren slams pop songs with multiple co-writers

Lil Nas X is teaming up with Tony Hawk to showcase his skateboarding skills.

Around 1,000 people are caught speeding every day, but by sticking to the following limits, you’ll avoid a run-in with the police, a fixed penalty notice (FPN) and points on your driving licence.

National speed limits

Locally set speed limits

Local councils can set their own speed limits in certain areas. These will be clearly signed.

RedOne was warned not to work with Jennifer Lopez

RedOne almost turned down the chance to work with pop icon Jennifer Lopez after being warned it would damage his career.The 49-year-old producer was approached to team up with the 52-year-old superstar in 2011, a time when her acting career was in a slump and she hadn't had a hit single for five years, so he was advised against collaborating with her on 'On the Floor' - which went on to become the 'Jenny From the Block' hitmaker's most successful track - in case it ruined his reputation as the "hottest producer".

Examples include:

• A 20mph zone near a school, in a built-up area, or in a pedestrianised zone.
• A 50mph limit on a road with a high record of accidents, or with sharp corners, roundabouts and hidden dips.

© Provided by Motoring Research 20mph speed limit sign

As you will have noticed, 20mph limits are becoming increasingly widespread in urban areas. They now cover the majority of London streets, for instance.

Vehicle-specific speed limits

There are specific rules for vans, car-derived vans, dual-purpose vehicles and motorhomes.

Most vans have a lower speed limit than cars and must follow the limits for good vehicles of the same weight. Vehicles weighing less than two tonnes (loaded) may qualify as a car-derived van or dual-purpose vehicle. These have the same speed limits as cars.

Motorhomes and motor caravans are classed as goods vehicles if they carry products for exhibition and sale, are used as a workshop, or are used for storage.

Camila Cabello: I will never sacrifice my mental health for my career

In an interview with HUNGER magazine, Camila Cabello has admitted she won't ever allow her work to affect her mental health in a "negative way".The 24-year-old singer started her pop career as a member of girl group Fifth Harmony which was put together on the American version of Simon Cowell's pop star search show 'The X Factor' in 2012, and after almost a decade in showbusiness she has learned to prioritise her mental health and put herself first.

Speeding penalties

© Provided by Motoring Research 30mph sign

The minimum penalty for breaking the speed limit is a £100 fine and three penalty points. Accumulating 12 or more points within a period of three years could lead to a disqualification.

If you’ve been caught by a speed camera, you will be sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and a Section 172 notice within 14 days. The Section 172 must be returned within 28 days, telling the police who was driving the car. You will then be sent a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) or a letter telling you to attend court.

If you’ve been stopped by the police, you face one of three outcomes: a verbal warning, an FPN, or an order to go to court.

Getting a Fixed Penalty Notice

Drivers who receive an FPN can plead guilty or not guilty. Pleading guilty results in a £100 fine and three points on the driving licence, or the opportunity to attend a speed awareness course.

First-time offenders can avoid penalty points by taking a speed awareness course. Research suggests these courses are a more effective deterrent for speeders than fines or points.

Doja Cat vows to be more 'choosy' over collaborations

Doja Cat doesn't want to collaborate with other artists just for the sake of it.The 'Kiss Me More' hitmaker has recently teamed up with the likes of Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, and SZA, but she admitted there are too many "collabs and remixes" being released for the sake of it.

Drivers who plead not guilty will be summoned to court. The risk of doing so is an increased fine and more penalty points.

© Provided by Motoring Research Safety camera partnership van

The size of the fine depends on what the speed limit was and by how much it was exceeded. It’s usually a percentage of the driver’s weekly income, up to a maximum of £1,000 (or £2,500 if driving on a motorway).

Drivers could also be disqualified from driving or have their licence suspended.

Courts operate on a ‘band’ system based on the severity of the offence. The system can be viewed here, but the following table provides a summary of the likely points and disqualification period.

Statutory aggravating factors include:

• Previous convictions, having regard to a) the nature of the offence to which the conviction relates and its relevance to the current offence; and b) the time that has elapsed since the conviction
• The offence was committed while on bail

Other aggravating factors:

Grimes on her son X

Popstar Grimes has opened up about her son X and revealed that he calls her by her first nameGrimes - real name Claire Elise Boucher - welcomed baby X Æ A-Xii with billionaire partner Elon Musk, 50 in May 2020 and she has revealed that the tot says "Claire" when he speaks to her rather than "Mama".

• Offence committed on licence or post-sentence supervision
• Poor road or weather conditions
• Driving LGV, HGV, PSV, etc
• Towing a caravan or trailer
• Carrying passengers or a heavy load
• Driving for hire or reward
• Evidence of unacceptable standard of driving over and above speed limit
• Location, e.g. near school
• High level of traffic or pedestrians in the vicinity

ALSO READ:

What is E10 petrol and can it damage your car?

Is it legal to drive wearing headphones?

How to save money when buying a new car