Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi all,

I was caught for speeding (30 on a 20) in Nov 2023, and offered the course which I did. Ever since I have been extra careful, driving well within limits.



Recently, I was driving at 35 on an otherwise 40 road (Great West Road, from Osterley to Hounslow heading westward), but with a 30 at the Sutton Ln intersection. I checked on google maps and it seems that there are exactly 2 30 markers, one about 100m before the intersection and one just at the intersection, both small signs, only on the left lane. It is a 3-lane carriageway and I was driving on the rightmost lane. It is not an excuse but genuinely I missed the updated speed limit. There is absolutely nothing close to where I was driving to indicate it is a 30.

(I don’t know if the 30 markers and camera were only recently installed, but I don’t recall it being there a while back).

Anyhow I have now received the option of 3 points (and the £100 fine). I don’t have any points ever in my 6 years of having the licence, but I would genuinely like to avoid. I also feel that I have been trapped by the lack of good signs.

If I contest this in the magistrate’s court, I will do it on the same grounds listed above. I presume I can fight this myself and don’t need to involve lawyers.

Is there any chance at all I will win?
If I lose, what do I stand to pay extra in legal costs?
Should I be concerned about any other consequences of fighting this?

I have attached the screenshots on GoogleStreetView of the locations of the 30 markers.



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You will have to convince the court that the limit was not "adequately conveyed".

If you fail you will be fined half a week's net income, a surcharge of 40% of that fine, prosecution costs of £620 (provided the police do not have to enlist expert testimony to counter your claim, in which case it will be considerably more) and have three points imposed.

Thank you all for your advice and inputs - very much appreciated. I have just accepted the penalty points.

It is 40 and just changes to 30.

There must be a termination sign there somewhere, it can't just go from 40 o 30 with no warning. I've not been along there for quite a few years, a lot has changed.

Terminal signs are there - Here.

3 lanes doesn't naturally 'feel' like a 30mph... If you google the location there's a rather frustrated FOI request about accident and speeding detection rates.