Fake signs fool drivers into speeding fines

Drivers in South Yorkshire were hit with speeding fines after being duped by fake 40mph signs on a road near Rotherham.

The actual speed limit on the stretch is 30mph, but the phoney signs were enough to see police issue penalties galore to motorists who were unwittingly breaking the law.

The signs were in place for three days before being removed by the council, which was alerted after the local paper received a call from an unhappy driver who had been fined.

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Police were unable to say exactly how many drivers fell foul of the pranksters and were caught out by a mobile camera van set up just across the road from the fake signs. But Auto Express found forged traffic signs available to buy online for just £21.

There’s a legal requirement for highways authorities to ensure accurate road signs are displayed, and police should also check the speed limit is correctly shown before enforcement. 

The Association of British Drivers (ABD) said it was “outrageous” that honest motorists had been fined, and called on the penalties which include a fine and penalty points to be revoked.

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ABD director Brian Macdowall said: “The police clearly failed to check the signs in this case. If these penalties are not revoked, it means that even the most law-abiding drivers are at risk if speed-limit signs cannot be trusted. All drivers caught must be exonerated.”

While local councils and the authorities continue to take a hard and fast line when it comes to speeding, it appears motorists' attitude towards speeding are relaxing…

Speeding ‘acceptable’

According to a survey by insurer Allianz, the majority of motorists take the view that it's acceptable to break the speed limit.

The results show 75 per cent of drivers said it’s fine to go 5mph over the limit, while 33 per cent believe that drivers in a 20mph zone should only be punished if they’re going over 10mph too fast.

The three most common reasons for speeding were seeing a clear and empty road ahead, speed creeping up and being late.

Motorists may think speeding is acceptable, but the survey also highlighted that 33 per cent of people support compulsory speed awareness courses – 74 per cent want harsher penalties for extreme cases, while 33 per cent back fitting speed limiters to all new cars.

Do you think attitudes to speeding are too relaxed? Let us know in the comments below...