Yesterday I received an intent to prosecute letter for travelling 50mph in a 30 zone. I immediately nearly threw up and was certain it was a mistake as there's absolutely no way I would ever be doing 50 in a 30 zone! I tend to annoy the hell out of my wife for driving at the speed limits to see how good I can get my mpg reading to save money. Anyway, that aside I had to go and retrace my route to find out how on earth I managed to drive through a 30 zone at 50. I came away feeling cheated and as such set up a dash cam to record the incident (although this time driving past the fixed camera well under 30!)

Below is the video I recorded. You'll see there is a tiny 30mph sign in the verge so I know I likely have no case for argument here. However, as I turned out from the industrial estate I believed I was driving down a 60mph road (no street lights and every other road around here both before and after this tiny stretch are 60mph). If I had been travelling down this road for longer (i.e. having not turned out just onto it) then I would have seen the HUGE speed camera warnings and massive 30MPH signs and signs on the road itself! (watch towards the end of the video and you'll see what I mean).

https://youtu.be/bdQW0Vgq1yc

Is there anything that I can do as it seems i'm likely to get 6 points at least and possible a summons??

Any help or advice appreciated!

This post has been edited by googlyamnesiac: Thu, 27 Oct 2016 - 12:37

What's the road? Most forces do go to court at 50mph (some at 55mph).

Passing the 30mph repeater isn't going to do you any favours but interested in your route prior to turning onto the road.

Here's the google map location:

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.921997,-1.3...3312!8i6656

Looks like you missed the 30mph terminal sign at the end of the side road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.9218325,-1....3312!8i6656

This post has been edited by peterguk: Thu, 27 Oct 2016 - 13:13

You were presumably in a 30 limit before exiting the side turning where the video starts.

if you were already in a 30 limit then there would appear to be no defence based on what you've shown us.

If you hadn't entered a 30 limit prior to video starting then you may have the start of a defence.

I see what you mean now. Anyone know what the likely outcome is from West Yorkshire police on this one then? If I do get a summons is it worth me going down the made a mistake route. I mean, I hold my hands up and see that I was speeding but I genuinely had no idea I was in a 30 zone at the time, granted I should have done but my focus at the time of joining that road was the signs directly opposite me and then I missed the repeater. I regard myself as a good driver without ever being stopped or any points my whole 15 years of driving (granted not my best moment here) I must have had a lapse in concentration and presumed seeing the country road and no houses n my view that it was 60mph. Can't imagine this will stand me well in court though if it gets to there.

If you didn't see the signs here wouldn't you presume it was a 60mph road too given the way it looks? Or am I looking through biased eyes?

Actually I think they are repeaters because of leaving the restricted road (streetlighting). That and the repeater prior to the camera is going to make it hard to argue on signage.


Yes but you didn't pass a NSL sign coming from the restricted road (30mph). Without the repeaters then it would be 60mph for cars.


Their policy is summons @ 50mph:



As the calc, discounted by 33% for a guilty plea, costs of £85 and surcharge of 10% of the fine (min £30).

This post has been edited by Jlc: Thu, 27 Oct 2016 - 13:27

Ouch! What a damn expensive accident! :-(

But your Wife may see the funny side of it?

Maybe OP is the wife.

If I do get a summons (which sounds likely based on what has been said) am I right in thinking that it's advised that I should attend rather than plead guilty via post? Coming to terms with the mistake I seem to have made and trying to figure out what is the best course of action. Really worried now I might get a disqualification if I don't attend too!

You can't be disqualified in your absence. If you don't attend, and the Mags. are considering disqualification, they will adjourn and request that you attend.

They won't ban without your presence - if they are considering a ban then they will request your presence, so a postal plea is worth trying if offered. Many cases are now heard under the Single Justice Procedure where a single magistrate sentences on papers only.

thanks for the advice so far. Whilst it's not the answers I was hoping, it strangely helps to talk about it as it's really eating me up at the moment. Haven't been able to sleep properly or even eat much with worry. Any ideas how quickly they respond after sending back to NIP? We're in the process of selling our house too (just gone on the market) and whilst the address is correct now, it may not be in a few months time.

Regardless get Mail Redirection and don't forget to change your address ( V5c and DL) with DVLA



I can sort of understand why it might be missed ...Not a lot of thought appears to have gone in to placing others where they wouldn't be missed ,like facing drivers as they turned right ,for example ..

Exactly - yours eyes are naturally looking in the direction in which you are going to be turning (and to observe the signs directly opposite you at the junction). Looking at that google maps image it seems even the council miss it when cleaning too, covered in muck!

The 30mph repeater is the real issue (and you were in a restricted road to start with). There was no NSL signs.

Of course, you can suggest the signage mitigates but doesn't appear to create a defence.

I think that's more what i'm thinking really, that it should be accounted for to reduce the punishment not to get me off without any charge at all. Ultimately I made a mistake and it was a genuine accident but sadly if this doesn't go to court (not that I really want it to) then on paper it really doesn't look good. Never in a million years would I normally drive 50 in a 30 limit! :-(

Indeed, sod's law isn't it. You can obviously state this (honestly) and concisely point out the signage and momentary lapse - but the sentencing guidelines will be quite closely followed... It's important to ensure no aggravating factors are present, e.g. wet, busy, near school.

Took me a few times watching the video to catch that 30 sign

Why was i under the impression that you couldn't get caught if you were flashed from the opposite side of the road?

Or have i somehow missed a camera in the video?