Former UK environment minister Zac Goldsmith banned from driving after multiple speeding offences
Zac Goldsmith, a former UK environment minister and Conservative peer, has been banned from driving for a year and fined over £8,200 following a series of speeding incidents.
Former UK environment minister and Conservative peer Zac Goldsmith has been banned from driving for 12 months following a series of speeding offences. The incidents, which occurred between April and November 2023, saw Goldsmith exceed speed limits on multiple occasions in London and on motorways, driving a hybrid Volkswagen Golf. Notably, he was captured driving at speeds including 62mph in a 50mph zone and 73mph in a 50mph temporary limit zone.
Goldsmith, aged 49, faced legal proceedings for a total of 11 speeding offences committed over a period of less than two years, resulting in the accumulation of 12 penalty points. The former minister, who has previously faced driving bans, pleaded guilty to these offences, expressing remorse through his legal representation.
The court ordered Goldsmith to pay fines amounting to £5,500 in addition to a victim surcharge and court costs, bringing the total financial penalty to over £8,200. His case was handled under the single justice procedure, which allows for cases to be adjudicated based on written submissions.
The magistrate, while imposing the driving ban and fines, highlighted the environmental implications of speeding, remarking on the increased harmful emissions it causes. This aspect of the judgement reflects Goldsmith’s background in environmental activism and his previous governmental role focused on environmental issues.
Throughout his various encounters with motoring law, Goldsmith has been caught speeding in locations such as Paddington, Chelsea, and Twickenham, demonstrating a pattern of behaviour that has ultimately led to this current driving disqualification. His political career, which includes a bid for London mayor in 2016 and a resignation from government in 2023 citing environmental policy concerns, adds a layer of public interest to his legal troubles.
Goldsmith’s case underscores the legal and environmental consequences of speeding, serving as a high-profile example of the adherence expected to road safety regulations, regardless of an individual’s status or vehicle type.
