I've been 'caught' by either Gatso or Laser trap doing 58 in a 40 zone. I have to question this as I know the location of the speed traps and drive accordingly. I've been offered the chance of accepting a fixed fine and three ponts as an alternative to appearing in court.
Does anyone have any experiences of defending themselves against such an accusation......or will I be any better off just accepting the fixed punishment?
tia.......David
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Well what can we say in reply to this?. Here's what I think Mr Kirkham and you'r not going to like it. Here we have someone moaning because he has been "caught" speeding. Is he not admitting that he does often speed?("Ihave to question this as i know the location of the speed traps and drive accordingly") Well Mr Kirkham please go ahead and appear in court and and use the previous quote as you're defence and I am sure you will receive the justice you deserve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oh and and in case you don't know the police do have hand held cameras!
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Quite. You broke the law so pay the fine. Speed limits aren't there for anyone's amusement.
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I assume that you're not questioning that you were actually there, so it wasn't a clone car, and you don't seem to question the speed, so what's the problem?
Regards
John
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Machines are not infallible. If you are sure that you were not speeding, and can afford the extra cost of trial and fine, up to £150 total I think, ask for a court hearing and demand to see the photos. You can then work out the speed by looking at the marks on the road and finding out the time lag between the flashes. Then, if you were speeding, plead guilty and minimise the cost. If not, see a solicitor. Remember you can get up to 6 points if you lose or plead guilty in court.
Does anyone know what the time lag is between the photos of a Gatso?
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I too was flashed by a camera about two weeks ago whilst traveling at the speed limit. I haven't received any thing though the post, as yet, but if I did would I have any defence?
I know that I was not speeding but do I have any way of proving it?
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You'd have to prove the possibility of the camera making an incorrect measurement to manage to prove that it was possible you were not speeding. Also, I think you have to receive notification within two weeks of the offence for the police to be able to do anything, looks like you've got away with it!
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Andrew. Yes you can prove it. Ask for the photos. They are the evidence. You are entitled to see them. Measure your distance between the two photos (flashes) and the distance travelled by the white lines painted on the road. That is what they are for. If you still don't agree, then either you are wrong or the time delay between flashes was wrong. The camera is activated by radar which is different from the time delay between the flashes. If the radar is out but the flashes are correct the pictures will prove your defence. If both are out, it would be a hell of a co-incidence.
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Thanks. If two weeks to notification is correct then the camera must have been faulty (or if it was flashing people driving at the speed limit then it probably ran out of film. I was concerned that if the camera was faulty enough to flash me in the first place then any proof provided by the camera would be bound to prove that verdict. If the radar and the flash operate independantly then that shouldn't be a problem.
Next question then : how will a conviction secured on a digital camera be verified as I understand these only take one picture.
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Could be they face towards the traffic and measure the length of the skidmarks left by cars braking as they approach the speed trap ;-)
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I saw a flash go off behind me on a temporary camera at the North Circular/M11 junction. I didn't think that there was a vehicle close enough behind me tohave set it off and I double-checked my speedo after the flash - it was reading 27 to 28 mph, having just come out of some very slow-moving traffic.
I didn't hear anything but it is very worrying when that type of thing happens.
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