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Best-selling crime author Lynda La Plante is latest victim of Sadiq Khan’s 20mph zones as she faces ban after ‘being caught speeding three times’
Best-selling crime author Lynda La Plante, the 83-year-old creator of Prime Suspect and its detective DCI Jane Tennison, is facing a possible driving ban after allegedly being caught speeding three times within five months in a 20mph zone near her home in Kingston-upon-Thames, south-west London. The Daily Mail frames her as the "latest victim" of the low-speed limits associated with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and she is due in court next month, where a guilty finding could cost her her licence.
According to court papers, Ms La Plante was allegedly recorded driving at 24mph, 26mph and 27mph in the 20mph zone, with the first offence logged at 9.24am in November. In notes to court officials and police, she criticised the road signage as "very confusing" and complained that speed cameras are positioned too close to the 20mph signs, leaving drivers little time to slow down; she also argued that the courts make it hard for accused motorists to obtain legal advice. La Plante, who created the 1980s series Widows and brought Prime Suspect to screens in 1991, was awarded a CBE in 2008 for services to literature, drama and charity.
In short
- Author Lynda La Plante, 83, faces a driving ban over three speeding allegations.
- She was allegedly caught at 24, 26 and 27mph in a 20mph zone.
- She blames confusing signs and poorly placed cameras; court hearing next month.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Critics argue that whilst speeding is wrong, the implementation issues are genuine—confusing signage combined with cameras positioned too close to speed limit signs gives drivers inadequate reaction time to safely decelerate. The three violations were marginal (only 4-7mph over the limit) spread across five months, and a driving ban for an 83-year-old woman seems grossly disproportionate. This raises legitimate questions about whether 20mph zones prioritise genuine safety benefits over revenue generation, and whether poorly designed infrastructure fairly catches law-abiding people attempting good-faith compliance.
The case against
Supporters of enforcement argue that traffic law must apply equally to all citizens regardless of age or fame, as selective sympathy corrodes the rule of law. Three speeding incidents over five months demonstrate a pattern of non-compliance, not a single honest mistake. These zones protect vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists in residential areas—a legitimate safety purpose—and whilst signage could improve, that doesn't excuse drivers from following posted limits. Permitting special treatment for individual defendants based on sympathy or status sets a troubling precedent for lawful enforcement.
Explained simply
Lynda La Plante is an 83-year-old television writer best known for creating Prime Suspect in 1991, the series featuring detective DCI Jane Tennison, and for the earlier programme Widows. She was awarded a CBE in 2008 for services to literature, drama and charity. She is now facing a potential driving ban following speeding allegations.
La Plante is accused of driving at speeds of 24mph, 26mph and 27mph in a 20mph zone near her home in Kingston-upon-Thames, south-west London, on three separate occasions between November and April. If found guilty at court next month, she could lose her driving licence. In her defence, she has argued that the road signage in the area is confusing and that speed cameras are positioned too close to the 20mph signs.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has implemented 20mph zones across much of the capital as part of road safety policy, particularly in residential areas. The low-speed limits remain a subject of public and political debate regarding their effectiveness and impact on drivers.