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#Post#: 93958--------------------------------------------------
Grounds for contesting a COFP?
By: Magicmarie Date: October 13, 2025, 5:50 pm
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Hello I'd be grateful for some advice.
I received an NIP for an alleged speeding offence taking place
on 26/9/2025. The offence is exceeding a limit of 30mph,
according to a mobile speed camera van recording 36mph on a
stretch of road with a steep gradient (van was at the bottom of
the hill). I viewed the evidence. Two photos show the car and
differing speeds- 36mph and then 35mph. There is also video
footage showing 35mph and the speed decreases to 31mph and then
no speed is shown as the video ends (I can no longer access the
portal to view).
The COFP is three points and £100 fine (received 12/10/25) Are
there any grounds to contest this? The speed is decreasing,
responding to speed limit advised by end of the footage?
(P.s. awareness course completed in May 2023, less than 3 years
ago).
#Post#: 93959--------------------------------------------------
Re: Grounds for contesting a COFP?
By: andy_foster Date: October 13, 2025, 6:02 pm
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No.
#Post#: 93967--------------------------------------------------
Re: Grounds for contesting a COFP?
By: NewJudge Date: October 14, 2025, 2:30 am
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You cannot contest an offer of a fixed penalty. You either
accept it or reject/ignore it.
If you do that you will be prosecuted in court where you can
contest the charge by pleading not guilty. Nothing you have
mentioned suggests you will be successful. If you are convicted
you will be fortunate to leave with any change from £1,000.
#Post#: 93972--------------------------------------------------
Re: Grounds for contesting a COFP?
By: The Slithy Tove Date: October 14, 2025, 2:52 am
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[quote author=Magicmarie link=topic=8385.msg93958#msg93958
date=1760395848]
Are there any grounds to contest this?
[/quote]
On what grounds? They have appeared to ping you at 35 & 36mph.
Are you disputing that you were going that speed? Or something
else?
Anyway, as has been pointed out, the only way to "contest" is to
ignore the COFP, plead not guilty to the subsequent SJP and take
it to court.
#Post#: 93975--------------------------------------------------
Re: Grounds for contesting a COFP?
By: JustLoveCars Date: October 14, 2025, 3:14 am
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[quote author=Magicmarie link=topic=8385.msg93958#msg93958
date=1760395848]
The speed is decreasing, responding to speed limit advised by
end of the footage?
[/quote]
Unfortunately your speed needs to be the 'advised' limit
throughout the whole section (assuming it was all within the
30mph stretch). Eventually slowing the the limit doesn't cut
it.
(All assuming any signage does correspond with any TRO)
#Post#: 93990--------------------------------------------------
Re: Grounds for contesting a COFP?
By: Magicmarie Date: October 14, 2025, 5:21 am
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Thanks for the corrections on a CoFP not being contestable.
My understanding was that the penalty is based on them recording
36mph average and if the speed is decreasing over that distance
it cannot be a 36mph average. Sorry for leaving the rest of my
thought process.
JustLoveCars, thank you for your explanation it helps me to
understand this differently.
Appreciate the help.
#Post#: 93994--------------------------------------------------
Re: Grounds for contesting a COFP?
By: NewJudge Date: October 14, 2025, 5:37 am
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[quote]My understanding was that the penalty is based on them
recording 36mph average...[/quote]
Your understanding is wrong.
Devices measure speed in about a third of a second. You could
say it is the average speed over that third of a second but
since it is unlikely to vary much during that short period, it
is effectively a "spot" measurement.
Average speed systems operate over a longer stretch and work by
measuring the time taken to travel between two fixed points, the
distance between which is known.
#Post#: 94001--------------------------------------------------
Re: Grounds for contesting a COFP?
By: JustLoveCars Date: October 14, 2025, 6:23 am
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Yup, you've been caught via a laser device and not an average
distance over time system.
For the former it's only peak speed that matters. For the
latter your average may have been less than 36mph but is no
defence here.
#Post#: 94044--------------------------------------------------
Re: Grounds for contesting a COFP?
By: Magicmarie Date: October 14, 2025, 9:44 am
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NewJudge, the explanation I received from JustLoveCars
clarified this and was all I needed. I said as much right after
the part you took and quoted from my reply. No further help
needed. Thank you.
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