07-07-2025
Newport man left frustrated with ‘confusing' driving fine
Ozzy Wambeek, 39, received a letter from Gwent police on May 29 stating that he had exceeded the speed limit on the A48 in Newport, more commonly known as the Southern Distributor Road, or SDR.
The letter stated that he had been travelling at 30mph on a 30mph road.
He claims that a lack of clarity around speed limits following the 20MPH enforcement on a number of Welsh roads has made it difficult to determine speed limits in the area.
He said: 'There's a lack of signposting and people are taking matters into their own hands in other locations, cutting down cameras or vandalising them to the point that they can't see to fine people.'
Ozzy was caught by speed cameras on the SDR Road (Image: Supplied) Ozzy is frustrated after appealing his fine for 6 months, only to be promised a reduced fine that he would see if he plead guilty. After pleading guilty, Ozzy was still slapped with a £177 fine, the payments of which allegedly weren't logged 'in the system'. Alongside this fine he also had to pay court costs and a victim surcharge, which only added to his final bill.
He said: 'It's just a confusing road.
'They're making money off people left right and centre here and trying to cost everyone their licences.
Ozzy is frustrated with the lack of clarity that the signs and the road itself presents drivers. He feels that the speed limits on the road are 'confusing' and leaves drivers feeling 'hesitant' to travel there.
He said: 'People need their licences to go to work and pay their bills.
'I now have 3 points that won't be spent until 2028, and my insurance has gone up.'
Ozzy feels that there are more pressing issues to deal with, and people are 'getting away with' more serious crimes.
Ozzy feels that the road is 'confusing' for many drivers (Image: Supplied) In a statement previously provided to the Argus regarding the cameras on the SDR, GoSafe, who operate the cameras, said: 'Speeding forms part of the 'Fatal 5' and is a main contributor to fatal road collisions in Wales.
'Safety camera schemes such as this improve the behaviour of the minority of drivers breaking the speed limit, helping to reduce collisions and keep people in the community safer.
'How and where these schemes are installed depends on the collision history and the road safety concerns at each location.
'All fine revenue is returned to His Majesty's Treasury and is not used by GoSafe or Highways Authorities."
