Driver risks losing licence for repeatedly breaking 20mph limit

A woman from Bristol says she is being “penalised” after receiving nine points on her driving licence due to being caught breaking a 20 mile an hour speed limit three times within the past month.

30-year-old Rosy Allen fears she will be banned from driving if she is caught speeding again, reports the Bristol Post.

She told the newspaper: “I just feel really gutted. I don’t think it’s fair I’m being penalised for something everyone does.”

Earlier this month, research by the University of the West of England found that the city-wide speed limit had saved four lives and prevented 11 serious injuries in Bristol since it began to be phased in during 2014.

Government figures published last year, however, suggested that four in five drivers across the UK ignore 20 mile an hour limits, prompting campaigners to call for greater enforcement.

> 20mph speed limits ignored by four in five drivers

Ms Allen was caught by mobile speed cameras deployed by Avon & Somerset Constabulary.

The force provides advance notice of where they will be each week, with the list also published by the Bristol Post.

But Ms Allen insisted: “I do respect the 20 mph limit but no one drives at that speed. It’s so hard to drive at that speed.

“It’s really disappointing. I feel the system isn’t there to help people like me.

“I’m made to feel like a criminal for doing something everyone does.”

“I know it’s not okay but I’m going 26mph.

“It’s going to destroy my business,” she added, explaining that she wouldn’t be able to visit customers in person if she were banned.

The Bristol Post reported that while some motorists in Bristol caught breaking the law by exceeding the 20 mile an hour limit could attend a driver awareness course rather than have their licence endorsed with penalty points, that option was not available to Ms Allan.

The reason? She had also recently been caught driving through a red traffic light.