Author Topic: Failing to comply with a lane closure - Flashed on M4 between Taplow and Windsor - 8 p.m. on October 1  (Read 729 times)

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There was a stranded vehicle (singular) message displayed with a lane 1 closure warning before the Taplow junction, so I moved to lane 2. Passing the Taplow junction, I could see a tow truck and the stranded vehicle on the slip road towards Taplow / Slough. The speed limit was 40 mph, and I was driving at 37 (as stated in the letter), staying in lane 2 the whole time. Seeing a "Lane Open" sign ahead (right at the Windsor junction), I moved back to lane 1 exactly where the camera is located to take the slip road to Windsor. Likely an automated action, as I saw the lane open ahead with nothing happening on that stretch of the road.

I’m fairly certain there was an issue with the whole setup, as the camera seemed to be flashing at nearly every car, including mine (which I saw). About 20 minutes later, on my way back to Maidenhead, I noticed it was still flashing at almost every vehicle passing by driving towards Windsor.

I’m trying to remember, and I think the sign was displayed correctly (right before the camera) but there must be something that triggered me and other drivers to switch back to lane 1 at that location. I might have interpreted the whole situation incorrectly, but the strange thing is it wasn’t just me, few hundreds of cars were definitely flashed in that short period.

It would be interesting to get the numbers (is that possible?) of how many people got fined there that day & time, and compare it to other cases of failing to comply with a lane closure in UK, I'm pretty sure this one would stand out for some reason.

Please see attached image.

Would you think I can appeal?




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Appeal what?

You haven't mentioned even receiving a NIP yet.

(If the camera had a fault and the fault was known, you may not get anything...)

Yep, I got NIP, that's how I know I was driving 37 mph while limit was 40 mph.

There is nothing to appeal, you can only appeal a conviction or sentence, neither of which has happened yet.

So at this point all you are being required to do its name the driver, failing to do this would result in a much more serious offence being committed. Once the authorities know who was driving, they will almost certainly offer a fixed penalty (£100 and 3 points- unless you are already on 9 points or more) or possibly a retraining course. You can ignore the offer and let it proceed to court. If you have a defence (nothing you mention suggests this), you could plead not guilty and hope the court agrees.

When an OP asks if they can appeal, 99% of the time, what they actually mean is is it viable to challenge the allegation, or is it better to simply remain in the sausage machine and take the fixed penalty if offered.
I am responsible for the accuracy of the information I post, not your ability to comprehend it.

how about write to the issuing force and ask if there was a technical problem as you were aware that hundreds (your estimation) of vehicles were bring flashed at the location both on your outbound journey and then on your return. most if not all were accessing the off slip. see what they say.
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