M42 Speeding Convictions

9 March 2013, 11:10 | Updated: 9 March 2013, 11:23

Thousands of motorway speeding convictions given over the past 6 years could be overturned due to sign errors on the M42 near Coventry

The Crown Prosecution service said the font used to display numbers of a variable limit between junctions 3a and 9, may not have complied with traffic regulations as they were taller and narrower.

Lawyers say penalites given since the speed limit started over 6 years ago could be quashed. The Highways Agency, who put the cameras up, say they believed the cameras to be correct.

Here's a statement from Warwickshire Police who are the enforcement authority for the Highways Agency HADECS cameras on the M6 /M42 motorway in Warwickshire:
 
''An issue arose over whether the variable speed limit signs (AMI's) which gave indication of the variable speed limits complied with the relevant regulations (Traffic Signs Regulation and General Directions 2002).

The issue related to the shape of the numerals in the signs. Warwickshire Police were made aware of this issue on 8th November 2012. As a consequence Warwickshire Police decided to suspend enforcement of these cameras until the issue was resolved.
 
There were no issues as to the accuracy of the speed cameras or as to whether the signs were fully illuminated showing the correct speed limit when the cameras detected offences. The Statutory Instrument imposing the speed limit was also lawful.
 
The issue has now been resolved by the DfT signing an authority for the use of these signs on 27th November 2012. Warwickshire Police re-commenced enforcement of the cameras on 1st January 2013''