There are clearly many thousands of drivers who have been caught by the drastically reduced speed limit on the A20 near Sidcup. This was reduced from 70 to 40 because of flooding when there is heavy rain which caused at least one fatal accident due to aquaplaning. The new 40 limit has been enforced with a speed camera but based on posts to a Facebook group many people were unaware of the change and have received NIPs. Sometimes several in a few days and although some are eligible for speed awareness courses, many are not and risk losing their licence.
Why don’t people go to court to contest the fines? This is an easy thing to do and you can represent yourself. Signage is clearly inadequate and easy to miss if you are joining the road from the Crittalls Corner roundabout for example.
I have in the past represented myself in magistrate courts to defend against two alleged motoring offences and won both cases. You will find magistrates are sympathetic to well argued pleas from personal individuals. Magistrates have wide discretion to dismiss cases that appear unfair or unreasonable.
If enough people defended these cases in court, then the court system would become overloaded with trivial prosecutions and the authorities would think again about these cases.
Note: ignore the fact that someone put up a false 50 speed limit sign on that stretch of road. That’s irrelevant.
There is more information on representing yourself in court here: https://www.gov.uk/represent-yourself-in-court
Roger Lawson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London
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In my experience, and to my cost, statutory law forbids appeal outside its own limited technical grounds of appeal, thus insuring itself against challenge on grounds of reason. The first time I went to court to contest a speeding ticket, I’d written some verse which tickled the bench. They said they were unable to cancel the ticket, but gave the minimum sentence. The second time I went to court to present a reasoned argument, they refused to let me state my case. All they were interested in was if I was the driver clocked at that speed. It still seems to me an abuse, but was a sobering experience costing me over £700. Of course that sum is insignificant compared with the £30,000+ that Richard Keedwell’s ticket spiralled to after he had sought to challenge it. It would be interesting to hear more about your successful defences, Roger.
A brief answer: in the first case it was my word against an inexperienced police officer, in the second it was lack of evidence on signage after contractor failed to give evidence.
Good afternoon
Undersigned has received NIP
for driving at 59 mph, speed limit
40 mph. Only use this road infrequently when visiting family.
Was previously 70 mph, Sat Nav
still indicating 70 mph. Did not see
the v.small signage, was early evening with no road lighting.
58 years experience, would never
deliberately drive at 19 mph over
the limit. Feels like a form of
entrapment.
Do you think I would have any
chance of this NIP being rescinded?
Many thanks.
Alan Oyston.
You need to plead not guilty and go to court. Possible grounds are inadequate/poor signage so you were not aware of the limit.