Declan Rice receives six-month driving ban
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has received a six-month driving ban and been ordered to pay £2,185 after being caught exceeding the speed limit twice on the same stretch of road near his Surrey residence, reports BritPanorama.
The 26-year-old, who cost the Gunners a British record £105 million in 2023, was detected speeding on the A217 on two separate occasions during January last year. Rice was first recorded travelling at 37 mph in a 30 mph zone on January 3, followed by another offence on January 8, where he was clocked at 49 mph in an area with a 40 mph limit.
Both incidents occurred within five days of each other, with the second violation pushing his licence to 15 points, leading to the ban under the totting up procedure. Prior to these offences, Rice had accumulated six points on his licence.
The financial penalty of £2,185 comprises a £1,500 fine, a £600 surcharge, and £85 for court costs. The midfielder did not attend the hearing at Crawley Magistrates Court where the punishment was imposed, meaning he will be unable to drive until the summer.
Rice, who resides in a £3 million property in Surrey, was behind the wheel of his £40,000 Land Rover during both speeding incidents. He began his footballing career at Chelsea’s academy in 2006 and signed his first professional deal with West Ham in 2015, where he rose to prominence.
His career highlight with the Hammers came in 2023 when he captained the club to a Europa Conference League victory, a triumph that marked his departure for Arsenal later that summer in the record transfer.
So far this season, Rice has made an impact at Arsenal, contributing four goals and three assists from 19 league appearances. His story serves as a reminder of the pressures faced by high-profile athletes and the balance they must maintain off the pitch.
