Speeding charges thrown out because 30mph sign was unlit

Two motorists have had their speeding cases thrown out after a court was told that a 30mph sign on the road was not lit up. 
 
The light n Woodside Road (next to the University of Nottingham) was out on January 30 last year - and more than a year later, it is still not working properly is still without a lighting unit.

The problem was identified by specialist traffic lawyers when they noted a large number of cases coming from that stretch of road.

When two cases were taken to Court on Monday 27th March, the prosecution offered no evidence and the matters were dismissed. The motorists left court with no penalties.

The drivers thought they were in a 40mph limit in January last year. But their vehicles set off cameras because the road has a 30mph restriction.

Solicitor Lucy Whitaker of Pragma Law, who represented one of the drivers, said: "Both were travelling in the dark along Woodside Road from University Boulevard in the direction of Derby Road. University Boulevard is signed as a 40mph limit, and neither had seen the speed limit signs purporting to decrease the speed limit to 30mph as they entered Woodside Road. One of the two signs located on either side of the dual carriageway was unlit. That is in breach of the mandatory requirements. As a result our clients believed the speed limit continued to be 40mph, as it is along University Boulevard."

Her colleague Maria Moore, of Moore Motoring Law, added: "We were both delighted when the prosecution offered no evidence and the cases against each of our clients were dismissed.
"We wonder how many other motorists have been caught speeding in the dark, because of inadequate guidance of the speed limit."

Earlier in the day, two other drivers failed with claims that the road signs were inadequate during daytime when they were caught driving at over 30mph.

After seeing a video of a journey along the road during daylight, the judge said: "For the vigilant and observant driver, it provides adequate guidance. There is no room for confusion over the speed limit."

Source Nottingham Post

Death crash driver who drove at 95mph in 30mph zone jailed for 12 years

Matthew Scrimshaw killed a woman while speeding at up to 95mph in a 30mph zone has been jailed for 12 years.

The 37 year old was driving on the wrong side of the road when he hit Iris Higginson, 67, in December 2014. Scrimshaw was also 1.75 times over the blood alcohol limit.

The judge said it was the longest sentence he had passed for death by dangerous driving in a 30-year career

Nottinghamshire Police

Ahead of the crash Scrimshaw's Audi TT was captured on CCTV on Mansfield Road, Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, at speeds of 88mph and 95mph, the trial heard.

Mrs Higginson who "had been doing absolutely nothing wrong" died at the scene when her Vauxhall Corsa was hit almost head on.

Scrimshaw made no attempt to comfort her, help her or call the police and left the scene to hide the fact he had been drinking, the prosecution said.

Judge Michael Stokes, who also banned Scrimshaw from driving for 15 years, said: "I have had to deal with some appalling cases involving extremely dangerous driving, but I cannot recall a case of a defendant who has demonstrated such an overriding contempt for the law and for the feelings of other people."

Scrimshaw was also found guilty of causing serious injuries by dangerous driving in relation to a friend who was a passenger in his car. He suffered a broken jaw and foot.


Speaking outside court, Ms Higginson's daughter-in-law Pauline Hotchkiss described her as "a wonderful lady".

She said the family had received justice "but we will not get over" the death of the great-grandmother.

A decision was taken not to proceed on charges of failing to stop at an accident, driving with excess alcohol and failing to report an accident.

Det Sgt James Greely, of Nottinghamshire Police, said it was some of "the worst driving I have ever investigated".

You might think that 30mph was chosen using scientific evidence but you would be wrong....

Back in 1934, just prior to the introduction of the 30mph speed limit, there were only around one-tenth of the cars on the road today, but four times as many associated deaths.

There had previously been a blanket 20mph speed limit, set in the 1903 Motor Car Act, but it was repealed for light vehicles in 1930. The spate of deaths caused a change of heart in government in 1934 and 1935, with 30mph brought in for built-up areas.

You might think that 30mph was chosen using scientific evidence but you would be wrong....

"It was pulled out of a hat," says Rod King, founder of the 20's Plenty for Us campaign, which believes that the 30mph limit today is no longer appropriate, credible or acceptable.

"The 30mph limit is compromised beyond belief," says King. Cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Bath, Cambridge, Liverpool, Oxford, Brighton, Newcastle and Edinburgh, have introduced 20mph limits on some roads in their jurisdiction. The Lib Dems have even considered 10mph limits in some areas.

While motoring organisations the RAC and the AA have expressed support for 20mph limits outside schools, they oppose a blanket change from 30 to 20.

Today there are three typical speed limits across the UK:

• a 30mph limit on roads with street lighting (which is taken to indicate a built-up area)
• a 60mph national speed limit on single carriageways
• and a 70mph top speed on dual carriageways and motorways

The limits are meant to keep everybody safe. The Department for Transport (DfT) says that for every 1mph the average speed of vehicles reduces on roads, there are 6% fewer accidents.
Speed limits should be "evidence-led and self-explaining", the DfT explains, and "should be seen by drivers as the maximum speed rather than as a target speed at which to drive irrespective of conditions". Road safety in the UK is relatively good, with one death on the roads for every 20,000 cars.

Case for 20mph Speed Limits Being Researched

The government has commissioned research into what the effects of cutting urban 30mph speed limits to 20mph would be. The research will be led by London University Professor Michael Maher and it is expected that it take three years to complete the research.

Robert Goodwill the Transport Minister said the research will examine the impact such a speed limit reduction on speed, collisions, casualties, modal shift [i.e. whether people switch from cars to other forms of transport]. The research will also consider air quality, best practice, road users' perceptions and effects on the quality of the environment, as well as relevant research from other countries. He also said that there were no plans to make 20mph the default speed limit, in reply to Green MP Caroline Lucas's question whether ministers had considered making 20mph the "national default speed limit".

In his written reply Mr Goodwill said: "Local authorities are best placed to determine the speed limits for their areas, based on local knowledge and the views of the community, and have the powers to do so."

Sources: BBC