Linda La Plante, the popular novelist and TV writer, faces a potential driving ban after being accused of exceeding the speed limit on three occasions over a five-month period in southwest London, the Daily Mail reported.The 83-year-old is widely known for his creativity The main suspectHe is scheduled to appear in Lavender Hill Magistrates Court on August 3 in relation to the alleged offences.La Plante’s car was discovered traveling at 24mph, 26mph and 27mph in a 20mph zone along the A308 Kingston Hill Road, near her home in Kingston upon Thames, between November 2025 and April 2026, court records state.The first alleged offense occurred at 9.24am on November 2, when her car was clocked at 24mph.
The second incident occurred at 9.35am on March 5, when she was allegedly traveling at 26mph, followed by a third incident at 10.03am on April 11, at 27mph.In her written responses to the court, La Plante said the signs on Kingston Hill were “extremely confusing” when indicating the change from a 30mph limit to a 20mph limit. She said the speed camera was only installed a short distance after the new limit began, leaving drivers little time to adjust their speed.
She also noted that there were no clear 20 mph speed signs painted on the road, making it more difficult for motorists to try to adhere to the reduced limit. In relation to one of the charges, she indicated her plea of guilty and not guilty while requesting a court hearing.La Plante also raised concerns about the process of obtaining legal advice, citing difficulties in contacting advisers, and stressing that the government web link provided for assistance no longer worked.For the third allegation, she admitted exceeding the speed limit but disputed the circumstances, arguing that markings on a downhill stretch made it difficult to slow down in a timely manner.If she is found guilty of all charges, she could accrue at least 12 penalty points on her licence, which would normally result in her being disqualified from driving for six months.The cases were brought by the Metropolitan Police using the single justice procedure. It is the responsibility of the local council to place and maintain speed limit signs.The situation arises amid ongoing debate over the expansion of 20mph zones across London. Mayor Sadiq Khan has supported the policy, citing data that suggests it reduces deaths and serious injuries on the city’s roads.
