Bestselling author attacks ‘confusing’ London street signs in 20mph speeding battle
Crime Fiction Icon Faces Legal Challenge Over Speeding Violations
Bestselling author attacks confusing London street - Lynda La Plante, the celebrated 83-year-old author and screenwriter, has found herself entangled in a legal dispute of her own making. The bestselling writer, renowned for crafting the iconic character DCI Jane Tennison in the television series Prime Suspect, is currently contesting three speeding citations received within a five-month period in south-west London.
A Real-Life Legal Drama Unfolds
While readers and viewers know La Plante for creating the formidable fictional detective who challenged institutional sexism within the Metropolitan Police, the author is now navigating her own courtroom battles against Scotland Yard. The legal proceedings involve allegations that she exceeded the speed limit on three separate occasions while driving near her residence in Kingston-upon-Thames.
According to court documentation, the incidents occurred at speeds of 24mph, 26mph, and 27mph in an area where the posted limit is 20mph. La Plante is scheduled to appear before judges at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court on August 3, where she faces the possibility of having her driving privileges suspended if convicted.
Questioning Road Signage and Camera Placement
In a series of written submissions addressed to court officials and police representatives, the award-winning author has voiced strong concerns about the clarity of local road signage. She argues that speed cameras are positioned too close to warning signs, leaving motorists insufficient time to reduce their speed appropriately.
"I wish the court to survey the very confusing signs to indicate from 30mph to 20mph," La Plante wrote in her response to the first charge.
She further explained that the speed camera is located no more than 10 seconds away from the warning sign, a distance she considers inadequate given the presence of traffic and cyclists overtaking her vehicle. Additionally, she noted that there is no 20mph marking painted directly on the road surface to reinforce the speed limit.
Chronology of the Three Incidents
The first speeding offence was recorded at 9.24am on November 2 of last year, when La Plante's Toyota was clocked at 24mph on the A308 Kingston Hill. In her response, she marked both guilty and not guilty boxes and requested a formal court hearing.
The second citation came at 9.35am on March 5, when her car was recorded traveling at 26mph along the same stretch of road. During this incident, La Plante attempted to resolve the matter by sending a cheque to pay the fine, hoping to avoid formal prosecution. However, she expressed frustration with the communication process, noting that she had spent 25 minutes on the telephone waiting to speak with an adviser, only to discover that the person did not speak English.
The third and final offence occurred at 10.03am on April 11, when she was traveling at 27mph past the same speed camera involved in the second incident. In her written response for this case, she pleaded guilty but disputed the offence on the grounds that the signage warning drivers of the 20mph limit is situated only 10 to 15 paces from a 30mph zone on a downward slope.
"It is impossible to reduce the speed appropriately in that time/distance," she wrote regarding the third offence.
Obstacles in Obtaining Legal Advice
La Plante has also criticized the courts for creating barriers that make it difficult for accused drivers to secure legal counsel. On the Single Justice Procedure form, she circled a line directing individuals to gov.uk/find-a-legal-adviser for assistance. The author noted that this web link is no longer functional, writing "No longer available" on the document.
Metropolitan Police officials have indicated that if La Plante is found guilty, she will receive a minimum of 12 penalty points on her licence, which would trigger an automatic six-month disqualification from driving.
Career Achievements and Recognition
La Plante's contributions to British entertainment and literature have been widely recognized throughout her distinguished career. She created the popular robbery television series Widows during the 1980s and brought Prime Suspect to screens in 1991. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including a CBE awarded in 2008 for services to literature, drama, and charity.
While the Metropolitan Police has processed all three prosecutions through the expedited Single Justice Procedure, responsibility for maintaining the speed limit signs and road markings falls under the jurisdiction of local councils. This division of authority may become relevant as La Plante continues to challenge the circumstances surrounding her speeding citations.