Emma Watson Receives 6-Month Driving Ban for Speeding
Emma Watson, the beloved ‘Harry Potter’ star, has been banned from driving for the next six months following a speeding ticket she received in July 2024. The incident occurred when she was caught traveling at 38 mph in a 30 mph zone, a violation noted by a speed camera.
The ‘Harry Potter’ actress had already accumulated nine penalty points on her UK driver’s license before this incident. According to BBC reports, the court hearing on the citation took place, revealing that Watson’s existing points would be added to her new offense. The court ordered her to pay a fine of approximately $1,400.
Watson did not attend the hearing, as reported by the BBC. Her attorney, representing her in the proceedings, stated at the hearing that Watson is in a position to pay the fine. The hearing lasted only five minutes, indicating a swift resolution to the case.
In addition to this incident, Watson has been living in Oxford, England, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in creative writing. Her recent decision to step back from acting was influenced by her feelings of being ‘caged’ by the demands of her career.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Watson explained how the responsibilities of acting often left her feeling constrained, particularly due to the scrutiny she faced as a public figure. She expressed that she felt compelled to defend her views, even when she did not have a significant stake in the issues being discussed.
Watson first rose to fame in 2001 at the age of 11 when she portrayed Hermione Granger in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.’ She continued in the role until 2011, when the final film in the franchise was released. Since then, she has appeared in a variety of films, including ‘The Bling Ring,’ ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower,’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ with her most recent work being ‘Little Women.’
Watson has also expanded her creative endeavors by directing and starring in her own film, ‘Prada Paradoxe,’ released in 2022. Her journey from a child star to a multifaceted artist continues to captivate fans and the media alike.