Hello I'd be grateful for some advice.
I received an NIP for an alleged speeding offence taking place on 26/9/2025. The offence is exceeding a limit of 30mph, according to a mobile speed camera van recording 36mph on a stretch of road with a steep gradient (van was at the bottom of the hill). I viewed the evidence. Two photos show the car and differing speeds- 36mph and then 35mph. There is also video footage showing 35mph and the speed decreases to 31mph and then no speed is shown as the video ends (I can no longer access the portal to view).
The COFP is three points and £100 fine (received 12/10/25) Are there any grounds to contest this? The speed is decreasing, responding to speed limit advised by end of the footage?
(P.s. awareness course completed in May 2023, less than 3 years ago).
You cannot contest an offer of a fixed penalty. You either accept it or reject/ignore it.
If you do that you will be prosecuted in court where you can contest the charge by pleading not guilty. Nothing you have mentioned suggests you will be successful. If you are convicted you will be fortunate to leave with any change from £1,000.
Are there any grounds to contest this?
On what grounds? They have appeared to ping you at 35 & 36mph. Are you disputing that you were going that speed? Or something else?
Anyway, as has been pointed out, the only way to "contest" is to ignore the COFP, plead not guilty to the subsequent SJP and take it to court.
The speed is decreasing, responding to speed limit advised by end of the footage?
Unfortunately your speed needs to be the 'advised' limit throughout the whole section (assuming it was all within the 30mph stretch). Eventually slowing the the limit doesn't cut it.
(All assuming any signage does correspond with any TRO)
Thanks for the corrections on a CoFP not being contestable.
My understanding was that the penalty is based on them recording 36mph average and if the speed is decreasing over that distance it cannot be a 36mph average. Sorry for leaving the rest of my thought process.
JustLoveCars, thank you for your explanation it helps me to understand this differently.
Appreciate the help.
My understanding was that the penalty is based on them recording 36mph average...
Your understanding is wrong.
Devices measure speed in about a third of a second. You could say it is the average speed over that third of a second but since it is unlikely to vary much during that short period, it is effectively a "spot" measurement.
Average speed systems operate over a longer stretch and work by measuring the time taken to travel between two fixed points, the distance between which is known.
Yup, you've been caught via a laser device and not an average distance over time system.
For the former it's only peak speed that matters. For the latter your average may have been less than 36mph but is no defence here.
NewJudge, the explanation I received from JustLoveCars clarified this and was all I needed. I said as much right after the part you took and quoted from my reply. No further help needed. Thank you.