A DRIVER has avoided a ban after speeding on a motorway, because he cares for family members and seven people working for him would be impacted.

Andrew Ward, 59, of West View, in Eldwick, Bingley pleaded guilty to exceeding 70 miles per hour on a motorway at a court on November 27, 2023.

He was sentenced at Sheffield Magistrates' Court last Thursday.

Ward was caught driving a blue Vauxhall Movano van at 86mph on the northbound carriageway of the M1, between junctions 30 and 31, near Rotherham, by a speed camera on July 22 last year, court records show.

The court decided not to punish Ward with a totting disqualification due to his mitigating circumstances.

This included him being the carer for his wife and his mother, "given she is alone".

Court records also show that seven employees would be affected if his driving licence was taken off him.

Ward had his driving record endorsed with three penalty points and was ordered to pay the courts £320 in total.

This included a £150 fine, a surcharge of £60 to fund victim services and £110 in costs.

He will pay the total sum in £50 weekly instalments from April 11.