All traffic matters have a statue of limitations of 6 months.. So the Officer in charge of the matter must take some sort of action in the 6 months be it no action or infringement notice or charge. Police have a certian amount of time to issue infringement notices and generally cant issue them after 2 months. I think the reason why your wife was charged was because in the minds of police she MAY have not been driving to the conditions hence the neg drive . Dont flame me. I would take it to court and explain to the magistrate the circumstances behind the incident. Go into detail about the new car that she was not familiar with it. Explain that she had a little one with her and there is no way she would put his/her life in danger. Mention her traffic record and that she has never come under notice before the incident. Magistrates are aware that Police only have six months to finalise things. If the magistrate thinks the officer has been slack in dealing with the matter the magistrate might just dismiss it. If you need any more info just pm me mate. Rob