Zac Goldsmith
Former environment minister Zac Goldsmith has faced repercussions for repeatedly violating speed limits throughout 2023, resulting in a one-year driving ban.
The brother of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s ex-wife, Jemima Goldsmith, Goldsmith was found to have exceeded speed limits on seven occasions while driving his hybrid Volkswagen Golf in various areas of London, including Paddington, Chelsea, and Twickenham, between April and November 2023, as reported by the Guardian.
During proceedings at Westminster magistrates’ court, Goldsmith was cautioned by a judge about the increased emission of harmful pollutants associated with speeding. Notably, he was caught exceeding speed limits on two separate occasions on motorways, most recently in December.
Details from court papers revealed that on 27th April 2023, Goldsmith was recorded driving at 29mph along Chelsea Embankment, surpassing the 20mph limit.
Similarly, on May 31st, he was clocked at 46mph on the A316 in Twickenham, where the speed limit is 40mph. He was caught speeding on the same road again on 3rd August, this time driving at 47mph.
Additional infractions included surpassing the 20mph limit on Bayswater Road, adjacent to Kensington Gardens, on 18th July, where he was traveling at 28mph.
In his defense, Benjamin Waidhofer stated that Goldsmith had expressed remorse for his actions and was not intentionally disregarding speed limits.
Goldsmith pleaded guilty to all offenses and was subsequently fined £5,500, in addition to being ordered to pay a surcharge of £2,000 and costs of £700.
This incident underscores the consequences of disregarding traffic laws and serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to speed limits for road safety and environmental conservation.
Goldsmith’s case also highlights the use of the single justice procedure, introduced in 2015, for handling such cases based on paperwork alone, even involving high-profile individuals like Goldsmith.
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