Free Traffic Legal Advice

Good morning. I have just been approached by a neighbour with a letter from a safety camera process unit which says "it is now over 21 days since you were sent a section 172/Notice of intended prosecution". The neighbour explained to me that they were receiving letters with a name they did not recognise and were just throwing them away unopened; after the letters kept coming they eventual opened one and located me via the car registration number. For reference the alleged offence relates to driving at less than 28mph in a 20mph zone. This is honestly the first time I have become aware of the matter and knew nothing of it before now.

I am very worried by this and want to do the right thing to get the matter cleared up as quickly as I can. I have been driving for over 20 years and this is the first time something like this has ever happened to me. I bought my car from a main dealer online via distance selling rather than in person, the car was delivered to my house. I have checked the information I provided to the car dealer via email and both the invoice and temporary insurance cover note have my correct address; so I am confident I gave the dealer the correct details to register the car with the DVLA. At the time of the offence I was not aware that the DVLA did not have my correct details.

I would be grateful for any advice:

Do I telephone or email/ write to the safety camera process unit and explain the situation and ask them to send me all the documentation alluded to in the letter my neighbour gave me (I could send them screenshots showing the car sale invoice in my correct address if it helps). Will they do this or have I now missed the boat? Will this reset the clock and allow me the chance to go on a speed awareness course? If I am guilty of the offence, I will be content to admit it and take my medicine. However, the letter I have from the safety camera process unit says the alleged offence is a month ago and I don't have a recollection of the incident, so it would be nice to see some photos to determine who the driver was and potentially jog my memory.

Should I send a subject access request to the DVLA trying to find out if the processing error is the fault of the car dealer or the DVLA (will this make any difference?).

Thanks in advance for any help.

Regardless of what has caused the problem (which is probably an incorrect address held by the DVLA) you need to contact the police to tell them what has happened and to let them know you will be responding to the "request for driver's details" immediately.

What was the date of the alleged speeding offence? How much "less than 28mph" was the alleged speed?

Would you advise me to contact the safety camera partnership by telephone or email and should I include details about why I think the address has been incorrectly entered on the log book or just inform them that I will deal with the request for information promptly?

The alleged speed was 26mph. In light of these events do you think this matter will proceed to court or is there a chance a speed awareness course may be offered?

Many thanks again.

Phone them ASAP. Tell them the address was wrong, but there's no need to bore them with the whole story.

A course should be offered, provided the offence was in England or Wales.