Author Topic: 50 in a 30 zone  (Read 2645 times)

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50 in a 30 zone
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Hi,I received a NIP recently. I was clocked at 50 in a temporary 30 zone (roadworks further along, normally 50 limit).I was probably only at that speed for a few seconds whilst overtaking,was doing 35 when I spotted the police van.
I'm wondering how likely a summons is? Some people say 49mph is the upper limit for a chance of a fixed penalty notice, some say 50.
I've been driving for 40 years without penalty ( which I don't think makes any difference sadly)

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Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #1 on: »
Nailed on.
Fixed penalty up to (and including) 49. SJPN 50 and above.

Broadly speaking, we have no interest in what unidentified and uninformed people say.
I am responsible for the accuracy of the information I post, not your ability to comprehend it.

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #2 on: »
After you have responded by naming yourself as the driver, the next thing you can expect is a “Single Justice Procedure Notice” informing you of court proceedings. The police have six months from the date of the offence to issue this and in many areas they take all of that time.

The recommended sentence for 50 mph in a 30 limit is a fine of a week’s net income (reduced by a third for a guilty plea) and either a disqualification of up to 28 days or 4-6 points. The strong likelihood is six points. You will also pay a surcharge of 40% of the fine and prosecution costs of around £90.
« Last Edit: April 28, 2025, 03:10:57 pm by NewJudge »

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #3 on: »
Thanks for your time and knowledge.

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #4 on: »
Hi, I have a further question relating to this post. I am currently awaiting a summons. A great many people were caught speeding in this temporary 30 zone and it has been brought to my attention that the terminal signs were too small initially (for about 2 months actually). They were supposed to be 1.2m and were actually 75cm ( like many others I didn't see them). The road is dual carriageway with a 50mph limit normally. Presumably if I wanted to contest the prosecution I would need to plead not guilty and go to court? If I pleaded guilty and put this in my mitigation what would a likely outcome be? Thanks for your attention.

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #5 on: »
If you wanted to contest it then you would have to plead not guilty.

It is not mitigation (and the court should not accept it as such) because if the speed limit was not adequately conveyed then that would be a defence (so the court should reject your guilty plea).

You would be relying on the court finding that the limit was not adequately conveyed. It is not as simple as saying that the signs should be x but were y. If they were “too small” but still adequately conveyed the limit, that is enough.
I am not qualified to give legal advice in the UK. While I will do my best to help you, you should not rely on my advice as if it was given by a lawyer qualified in the UK.

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #6 on: »
Hi, I have a further question relating to this post. I am currently awaiting a summons. A great many people were caught speeding in this temporary 30 zone and it has been brought to my attention that the terminal signs were too small initially (for about 2 months actually). They were supposed to be 1.2m and were actually 75cm ( like many others I didn't see them). The road is dual carriageway with a 50mph limit normally. Presumably if I wanted to contest the prosecution I would need to plead not guilty and go to court? If I pleaded guilty and put this in my mitigation what would a likely outcome be? Thanks for your attention.
If my reading of the Traffic Signs Manual is correct, a 1.2m sign on a dual carriageway is only needed when the approach limit is 70. At 50, as in your case, 900mm is normal but 750mm may be used in certain circumstances.

In any event, these are simply guidance, not the law.

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #7 on: »
What size was the sign when you passed it? Did it "adequately convey" the limit to you?

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #8 on: »
Thanks for the replies. I didn't see the signs, they were just off a heavily congested roundabout. They were 75cm at the time, I have some photographic and video evidence of this.

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #9 on: »
I didn't see the signs, they were just off a heavily congested roundabout. They were 75cm at the time, I have some photographic and video evidence of this.
The question is not whether you saw the signs or not but whether the limit was adequately conveyed.  Your evidence may actually show it was?

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #10 on: »
Thanks for the replies. I didn't see the signs, they were just off a heavily congested roundabout. They were 75cm at the time, I have some photographic and video evidence of this.
Let's see the photos.

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #11 on: »
My inclination is just to accept the fine and points but Traffic signs manual chapter 8 part 1 pg.29 states that the signs for the start of the temporary speed limit change must be meet a certain size criteria to be enforceable. In this case it was meant to be 1200mm in diameter for a dual carriageway of 50mph.

Most importantly directly following this information in the manual is a statement that 'The police can only enforce speed limits where the speed limit signs are correctly placed and conform to the requirements of the Regulations.' Is this true or are these just guidelines?
The signs have since been replaced with 1200mm and moved further up the road.

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #12 on: »
... but Traffic signs manual chapter 8 part 1 pg.29 states that the signs for the start of the temporary speed limit change must be meet a certain size criteria to be enforceable.

No it doesn't - unless you found an outdated version and incorrectly cited it.

Quote
Most importantly directly following this information in the manual is a statement that 'The police can only enforce speed limits where the speed limit signs are correctly placed and conform to the requirements of the Regulations.' Is this true or are these just guidelines?

This has already been answered. If we agree with you, will you stop asking the same question?
I am responsible for the accuracy of the information I post, not your ability to comprehend it.
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Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #13 on: »
Must be outdated. Apologies for wasting everyone's valuable time.

Re: 50 in a 30 zone
« Reply #14 on: »


Most importantly directly following this information in the manual is a statement that 'The police can only enforce speed limits where the speed limit signs are correctly placed and conform to the requirements of the Regulations.' Is this true or are these just guidelines?]

The statement is true, but read it carefully. The signs must conform to the Regulations, not to the Manual. The former is law, the latter is guidance.