Are you obliged to identify yourself if you’re caught speeding by a camera van?

Q My mate got caught speeding the other day by a camera van. He got the paperwork through the post and has been told if he nominates another driver or fails to return the paperwork, the whole thing might just go away. We’ve got a riders WhatsApp group, and everyone is egging him on to give it a go. Is this likely to go away? Does this even work?

A This is a good question. Let’s break it down. The police did not stop your mate: therefore, they have no idea who was riding the motorcycle when it was allegedly speeding. The police can only apply to the DVLA for keeper details; this is why they have written to the keeper via the post. All they are asking, at this stage, is that the registered keeper furnish them with the rider’s details. This obligation exists with all registered keepers, whether private motorists or big companies with multiple vehicles. Even the police need to keep a list of who has used a police car and when (if you are a copper, or know one, this is why they will complete the vehicle’s book with date/time booked out and back in). This is to ensure compliance with S.172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, i.e., you can identify the driver/rider if required to do so.