Baroness Sharron Davies, a member of the House of Lords and Olympic swimmer, is preparing to go to trial over a speeding ticket she received while driving on the M4 motorway. The incident occurred after she attended a speaking engagement in Wales, where she was caught by an automatic speed camera while driving at 65mph in a temporarily reduced speed zone of 50mph. Davies reacted with surprise upon receiving the ticket, asserting that she did not notice the lowered speed limit due to what she described as poor signage on the motorway.

In court papers, Davies emphasized her intent to challenge the speeding charge, arguing that the signs indicating the reduced speed limit were inadequate, thus making it easy for her to miss them. The situation highlights the ongoing debate about the clarity and visibility of road signage, particularly on busy motorways. Her defense will likely center around the argument that the signage's poor quality contributed directly to her unintentional speeding.

The prosecution, led by Avon and Somerset Police, has filed formal charges based on the evidence from the speed camera, which recorded her Mini exceeding the designated limit. This case not only raises questions about individual responsibility but also about the infrastructure and design of roadways intended to inform drivers of speed regulations. As Davies prepares to fight the charge in court, it could potentially set a precedent for future cases concerning speeding offenses linked to signage issues.