A driver who accumulated 12 penalty points within seven days on the same road has narrowly avoided a potential six-month ban after a court determined that the signage was “inadequate.”
The controversy stems from a rogue 50mph sign placed in a 40mph zone along the A20 at Sidcup, south-east London, which is believed to have led to hundreds of motorists receiving speeding tickets.
Jamie Foster, the driver in question, appeared before Bromley magistrates, where he was instead banned from driving for 28 days.
The issue gained attention after regular users of the A20 corridor, particularly the eastbound section between Sandy Lane and Cookham Lane, reported confusion following a reduction in the speed limit from 70mph to 40mph last autumn. According to Transport for London (TfL), a third party mistakenly erected a 50mph sign, contributing to the confusion.
Shirley Foster, Jamie’s mother from the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, emphasised the inadequacy of the signage as a crucial factor in the case. “Jamie’s had a clean license as a lot of people have. It was inadequate signage, that’s what we’ve said all along – that was the mitigation,” she stated.
Drivers using the road complained about the lack of clear and frequent signage, prompting an investigation into the matter. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that between 17 and 25 January, only one incorrect 50mph sign was displayed.
According to Mr. Foster’s solicitor, as many as 62,000 offences may have occurred within a six-week period due to the confusion surrounding the signage.
In a show of support, a small group of individuals who also received Notices of Intended Prosecution for speeding on the A20 attended Bromley Magistrates’ Court.
While the Metropolitan Police maintained their stance that fines issued for speeding on the affected stretch of road would not be waived, the court’s decision reflects a recognition of the complexities surrounding the case and the impact of inadequate signage on motorists.
