Some fifteen years after the introduction of speed cameras huge numbers of drivers are still speeding. But very few motorists realise the horrendous and unexpected costs in defending such a prosecution.

Glasgow based lawyer, Graham Walker of roadtrafficlaw.com said that many clients do not realise that The Scottish Legal Aid Board will be unlikely to fund their defence due to the fact that Legal Aid is a means tested resource and most motorists are likely to fall out with the financial guideline limits.
He said “When they realise how much they will require to pay to defend their case they are often horrified.”

Walker said that it can easily cost in the region of £2,000 to £3,000 to defend such a case depending upon how much time the whole court procedure takes.

When asked – Who would spend this sort of money defending a case where the penalty would most likely be 3 penalty points and £60 fine?. Mr Walker explained that there are more than 6000 cameras on the roads of Britain and that 4 in 10 motorists were driving with some penalty points on their licence therefore a licence could fall into jeopardy very quickly.

Under the totting-up system, those with 12 lose their licence – and often their livelihood. Walker says part of the blame for the rise in speeding fines lies with the explosion in the number of cameras. But he also cites the pressure of modern life, with ‘stressed-out’ workers rushing to meet deadlines as they average 20,000 miles a year on business.

Official figures show that the war on motorists has reached unprecedented heights. The Department of Transport said there were more than 13million prosecutions in a year, with camera offences up 45 per cent to a record 1.9million.

In the UK around 33,000 lost their licence for hitting 12 points.

He advises that motorists should look to their insurance company for cover in some cases or that they make provision by joining a “Fee Discount” scheme like his own “Trafficlawplan” He explained that after a particularly painful visit to his dentist he noticed a scheme called “Denplan” that would have reduced the pain of paying the dentist’s fee. He then decided to set up a similar scheme for legal fees in road traffic cases in Scotland.

Whatever you decide if you can ask questions on the cost of defending a speeding charge in Scotland or any other questions on all aspects of road traffic law scotland

Graham Walker

This is just of many speeding defences in Scotland that will be covered imminently in a series of blog posts

VASCAR Device not working properly?

A little bird recently whispered to me that the Vascar device used by  police forces all over Scotland, to detect speeding motorists, may have to be scrapped. The word on the street is that when the police were carrying out further tests on the devices down in England they discovered that their new fangled radio devices interfere with the readings.
This means that if you have a case pending where the method of detection was the Vascar then you have a better than average chance of beating the charge. Police would normally be expected to have their radio equipment switched on when on patrol in a speed detection unit therefore you can pretty well bet that the evidence that was obtained can be attacked on the grounds that the device is not reliable.
The VASCAR device has until recently been a device that did not require Home Office approval. It has been in use for about 30 years in Scotland but recent developments mean it has been integrated with what is described as the Police Pilot and PROVIDA system. Basically a handheld device and a video interface. I suspect the additional technology may have had something to do with the recent problems but who knows?
You can bet that we will investigate every case we have and make sure our defence expert is available to comment on the radio interference issue.
It may well be that appeals will require to be lodged in connection with cases where people have been convicted on the basis of this potentially, dodgy device.
For anyone who wants to discuss where to go with a VASCAR case please contact us by e mail or telephone and we will be happy to provide some FREE initial advice regarding your options.

We were the first firm in Scotland to  specialise exclusively in road traffic law. We are true road traffic law experts. Road Traffic Law is what we do every day….nothing else!

Graham Walker, has been practising criminal law in Scotland for more than 25 years. His experience can help win your case.

Please beware of copy cat firms who claim to have extensive experience. Our lawyers have over 30 years of experience in criminal defence work between them. Our team not only consists of lawyers but also essential support staff such as secretaries and investigation agents all of whom play an essential part in ensuring our success with your case. Our office is close to Glasgow city centre and meetings can be accommodated at short notice.

We have unique technical and legal databases that are constantly updated.

We are the only firm in the UK to be invited to visit the GATSO camera factory in the Netherlands

We frequently deal with high profile clients in delicate situations and we ensure that wherever possible we keep them OUT of the News.

Our specialisation can win your case. You can depend upon us for up to the minute legal advice, FREE advice is available throughout this website and we will be pleased to offer more FREE advice should you call us. Get some

We have successfully defended drivers in courts throughout Scotland. We are in court EVERY day and have built up a considerable level of expertise that can be applied to save your licence.

More than 80% of our clients keep their driving licences in cases defended by us. (Independently Audited in 2008

You can ask a specialist lawyer a question in confidence here: Speeding Offence Scotland

For peace of mind contact us today. We are friendly and approachable. , especially at the early stages of a case. Free tips on how to deal with a motoring offence are available on this website and our members area.

We are here to win your case and save your licence

Whether you wish to fight a speeding ticket, a drink driving charge or any other motoring offence you should call us now.

We are now members of the and would recommend that you ONLY instruct a firm that is registered with AMOL.

If you need to we can help.

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You can ask a specialist lawyer a question in confidence here: Speeding Offence Scotland