Olympic silver medallist and Conservative peer Baroness Sharron Davies is preparing to stand trial over a motorway speeding ticket, with the former athlete vehemently contesting the charge on grounds of inadequate signage. The 63-year-old baroness, recently elevated to the House of Lords as Baroness Davies of Devonport, was caught by an automatic speed camera on the M4 motorway while driving back from a speaking engagement in Wales.
Late-Night Incident on the M4
Court documents reveal that Baroness Davies was travelling at 65mph in her Mini when the temporary speed limit had been reduced to 50mph. The infraction occurred near junction 19 in South Gloucestershire at approximately 11:30pm on October 15 last year, with Avon and Somerset Police initiating prosecution after her vehicle triggered the camera.
Defence Argument: Signage Was 'Very Unclear'
In a statement accompanying her not guilty plea, Baroness Davies expressed shock at receiving the speeding ticket and insisted she was not at fault. "I am adamant that the signage was so poor it was easy to miss, which is what must have happened," she wrote. The former swimmer explained that she typically uses cruise control and the navigation app Waze for speed limit notifications, especially in Wales where reduced limits are common.
"It was 11.30pm at night, the signage was very unclear and I absolutely did not see clear signage to show the limit had gone down to 50mph from 70mph on the motorway," Baroness Davies stated. "I was doing 67mph, very much still inside the 70mph I thought it was." She noted that traffic was very light with three lanes open and no visible road workers present, questioning whether nighttime motorway maintenance schedules might have contributed to signage confusion.
Impeccable Driving Record Cited
The baroness emphasised her careful driving habits over 45 years, stating she had never previously contested a speeding fine. "However I most definitely would have dropped my speed if I had been aware of the reduction," she asserted. "I pride myself on being a good driver, but also a safe one." She described driving home while adjusting her cruise control according to perceived speed limit changes, reinforcing her claim of responsible motoring.
Distinguished Career and Upcoming Trial
Baroness Davies enjoyed a remarkable swimming career spanning three decades before retiring in 1994, during which she won an Olympic silver medal, two Commonwealth Games gold medals, and broke over 200 British records. Following her athletic career, she transitioned to television punditry and currently serves as director of the campaign group Women's Sports Union.
Nominated for her life peerage by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch at the end of last year, Baroness Davies now faces legal proceedings over the speeding charge. The case is scheduled to be heard at Bath Magistrates' Court on August 11, where the clarity of motorway signage and the circumstances of the late-night incident will be scrutinised.
The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about temporary speed limit enforcement on Britain's motorways, particularly regarding signage visibility during nighttime hours. Baroness Davies' case could potentially influence discussions about standardising temporary limit notifications and improving driver awareness during roadworks.
