Hundreds of drivers in London found themselves facing fines after falling victim to a fake 50mph speed limit sign in a 40mph zone. Despite the erroneous signage, the Metropolitan Police insist that the fines issued remain lawful.
The deceptive sign appeared on the A20 in Sidcup, where the speed limit had been temporarily reduced from 70mph to 40mph due to flooding. However, the unauthorized placement of the 50mph sign misled approximately 600 drivers, leading to penalties.
Dominic Smith from Patterson Law, an organization specializing in driving offenses, revealed that they received an influx of inquiries from affected individuals seeking assistance. “We’ve been contacted in the last week by about 400 or 500 individuals, of which about 100 to 150 are at risk of losing their licenses because of this,” said Smith, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The unprecedented nature of the incident is evident from the overwhelming response received by Patterson Law, with Smith noting a significant increase in inquiries compared to typical cases involving new speed cameras.
According to the police, the unauthorized installation of the 50mph sign occurred on January 24, prompting speed cameras to enforce this lower limit. Despite the misleading signage, fines and penalty points were issued. A spokesperson for Scotland Yard clarified, “Our prosecutions team, which deals with speeding offenses, has taken legal advice, and the location of the 50mph sign would not have impacted the enforcement.
Transport for London (TfL) addressed the issue, stating, “For a short period, an incorrect 50mph sign was illegally placed at one location on the road by somebody who had not been authorized by TfL to place it here, putting people traveling at risk.” The incorrect signage was promptly replaced with the correct 40mph signage, ensuring compliance with regulations.
TfL emphasized the importance of road safety, particularly in response to flooding issues that posed risks to life. They stressed the necessity for drivers to adhere to the new speed limit to ensure safe travel along the A20 Sidcup Road. Additionally, TfL highlighted the installation of regular speed limit signage to inform drivers of the updated limit.
In response to the fines, twelve local Members of Parliament penned a letter to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, urging him to reconsider the penalties imposed on drivers affected by the fake signage.
Despite the challenges posed by the misleading sign, authorities emphasize the paramount importance of road safety and adherence to legal speed limits to ensure the well-being of all road users.
