2 Driving offences 1 court hearing

[mrbounce]

I was seen by an off duty police officer using my mobile phone and no seatbelt.

 

They sent me a letter stating I can goto court or plead guilty in writing and without going to court..

 

Does anybody know what the maximum penalty/points this could carry?

 

Somebody mentioned that if you are convicted of more than one offence you'd get points for 1 of the 2 offences, whichever carries the most number of points? Is this correct?

[Aretnap]

Correct that you usually only get points for the more serious offence. Academic in this case though as only the mobile phone offence carries points anyway.

 

Mobile phone is 3 points and a fine of around half your weekly post-tax income (maximum £1000). No seatbelt is no points and a similar fine (though the maximum is £500). Fines, but not points, will be reduced by a third for a guilty plea. Add around £85 for costs and 10% of the fine or £20 (whichever is greater) for "victim surcharge".

[mrbounce]

That's a big fine!!!!

 

With the seatbelt thing, the officer put in his statement he saw a plastic part that guides my seatbelt sticking up, this can stick up even if I am wearing my seatbelt, and my car makes a noise if not wearing belt, so I could possibly argue that, but thinking that it's not worth arguing as they would believe the off duty police officer over me...

[crem]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22770064

 

Current fixed penalties for using a phone while driving or not wearing a seatbelt will also rise by £40 to £100.

 

The phone offence also carries a mandatory 3 points on your licence.