Emma Watson Banned from Driving

Emma Watson, the 35-year-old British actress renowned for her portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film franchise, has been slapped with a six-month driving ban following a speeding incident. Watson was caught driving her blue Audi at 38 mph in a 30 mph zone in Oxford, England, on July 31 of the previous year.

Despite her absence at the High Wycombe Magistrates' Court hearing, Watson was fined £1,044 (equivalent to $1,400) and disqualified from driving. The ruling came as a result of the actress having accumulated nine penalty points on her license prior to this latest infraction.

In a curious twist of fate, Watson's former Harry Potter co-star, Zoë Wanamaker, faced an identical sentence on the same day for a separate speeding offense. Wanamaker, who portrayed Quidditch referee Madam Hooch in the franchise's inaugural film, was caught driving at 46 mph in a 40 mph zone in Berkshire, southeast England.

Both actresses had their licenses endorsed with three additional penalty points for their recent offenses, triggering automatic six-month bans under UK law. This parallel ruling serves as a stark reminder of the stringent traffic laws in the United Kingdom and their impartial application, regardless of celebrity status.