Traffic Offences: Lessons Learned From The Archbishop Of Canterbury's Case

• Law Firm: Gorvins Solicitors
• Subject Matter: Transport, Rail, Road & Cycling
• Author: Mr Paul Reddy
• Published date: 25 May 2023

The recent case of the Most Reverend Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, serves as a striking reminder of the potential repercussions of traffic offences, particularly speeding. The Archbishop was fined '500 and given three penalty points for exceeding the speed limit by 5mph. However, it wasn't just the speeding offence that landed him in hot water. Administrative errors compounded the penalty, and the Archbishop ended up paying an extra '400. In this blog, we'll explore what happened and what you can learn from it to avoid similar pitfalls.

The Cost of Administrative Errors

In the Archbishop's case, administrative errors had significant financial consequences. Despite his efforts to resolve the issue and pay the fine on three separate occasions, the case still ended up in court. This resulted in him having to pay additional court costs and a victim surcharge, which totalled '400.

This highlights the importance of ensuring that all the administrative aspects of your case are handled correctly. If you're facing a traffic offence, it's vital to keep all relevant documents and evidence, organised and to follow all procedures promptly and accurately. If you're unsure, it may be worth seeking legal advice to ensure you don't inadvertently increase your fines due to administrative errors.

The Expected Penalty for Speeding

In the UK, the standard fine for exceeding the speed limit in a 20mph zone by up to 10mph is a '100 fine and three penalty points on your licence. This is the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) that the police can issue without taking the case to court.

Therefore, in the Archbishop's case, where he was recorded driving at...