Can you appeal against a speed camera in a police car?.

[Carstudio]

Hi all, I was pulled on the 29th of December for apparently doing 39mph in a 30mph limit. The thing is their car was moving on a side road coming down to a T junction. They couldn't have achieved a static reading as a very large Iveco truck was parked blocking their view, if they'd achieved a reading from in front of the truck they'd have to have been aiming through 2 sets of railings on top of a garden wall surrounding a house. I've been down the same road for years and a couple of weeks before Christmas they put up "Police speed check area" signs on the road (Queens Drive in Ossett) and I've seen quite a few people caught. I was going extra slowly because of this but having been back I've noticed that the signs are visible from one direction but not the way I was travelling.
I'd hope it wasn't because I was driving a bright yellow Stratos replica but judging by the attitude of one of the two officers (the driver, the passenger came across as embarrassed if anything), I must admit it did make me feel like I'd been targeted!
They showed me the speed reading but I honestly wasn't doing the 39mph and when he claimed "you were probably doing over 40mph before we got a fix on you" I was stunned.
Does anyone know if 1) you can write a letter of complaint
2) there has to be a speed camera warning sign if there's a speed trap set up.

I've to present my documents at the Police station this week end and I wont be near a computer till Monday, but if anyone could give me any advice I'd appreciate it.

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Edited by Carstudio on Tuesday 6th January 09:11

[VXED]

No idea, but post it in the speed, plod & the law section and you might get a better response.

HTH

[10 Pence Short]

Do you know the device they've caught you with? Is it a handheld laser or static VASCAR?

Either way, you're going to have to go through a long, potentially expensive and arduous process to contest the ticket when it might just be best to take the 3 points and £60.

[flemke]

Carstudio said:

he claimed "you were probably doing over 40mph before we got a fix on you" ...

That's police-speak for, "When I clocked you, you weren't going as fast as I had thought, but I'm charging you anyway, because I can."

[peterguk V6 KWK]

Carstudio said:

Does anyone know if 1) you can write a letter of complaint

You can write a letter of complaint to anyone you like

Carstudio said:

2) there has to be a speed camera warning sign if there's a speed trap set up.

No

[tvrgit]

10 Pence Short said:

Do you know the device they've caught you with? Is it a handheld laser or static VASCAR?

Either way, you're going to have to go through a long, potentially expensive and arduous process to contest the ticket when it might just be best to take the 3 points and £60.

This is the critical question. If it's VASCAR, they can measure speed if they are stationary, or going in the same direction as you, or even in the opposite direction.

And no, no signs are required - police can carry out a speed check on any vehicle anywhere, any time they choose.

[nickwilcock]

"Hi all, I was pulled on the 29th of December for apparently doing 39mph in a 30mph limit.....

I was going slowly....."

How slowly?

Edited by nickwilcock on Saturday 3rd January 19:40

[LotusACBC]

Heres the thing... It doesnt matter. If the cop gave you a ticket for it, then no matter what you say or do, you will have to pay some sort of fine and take time out of your schedule to appear in court. Its as simple as that.

[14-7]

So they caught you on a hand held device and showed you the speed reading as well.

Pretty much buggered unless you can prove the device was defective. Saying "I don't think I was doing that speed" isn't going to hold up if the bobbies have checked the device properly at the start and end of shift.

[tvrgit]

14-7, the OP doesn't say it was a handheld device.

[grahamw48]

Carstudio said:

Hi all, I was pulled on the 29th of December for apparently doing 39mph in a 30mph limit. The thing is their car was moving on a side road coming down to a T junction. They couldn't have achieved a static reading as a very large Iveco truck was parked blocking their view, if they'd achieved a reading from in front of the truck they'd have to have been aiming through 2 sets of railings on top of a garden wall surrounding a house. I've been down the same road for years and a couple of weeks before Christmas they put up "Police speed check area" signs on the road (Queens Drive in Ossett) and I've seen quite a few people caught. I was going slowly because of this but having been back I've noticed that the signs are visible from on direction but not the way I was travelling.
I'd hope it wasn't because I was driving a bright yellow Stratos replica but judging by the attitude of one of the two officers (the driver, the passenger came across as embarrassed if anything), I must admit it did make me feel like I'd been targeted!
They showed me the speed reading but I honestly wasn't doing the 39mph and when he claimed "you were probably doing over 40mph before we got a fix on you" I was stunned.
Does anyone know if 1) you can write a letter of complaint
2) there has to be a speed camera warning sign if there's a speed trap set up.

I've to present my documents at the Police station this week end and I wont be near a computer till Monday, but if anyone could give me any advice I'd appreciate it.

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Next time drive at 29mph, especially in a built up area where you might knock over someone's child...maybe mine.

[Baked_bean]

I always thought that handheld radar guns can't take down car details and can only record speed?

[herewego]

Since it's a kit car, are you sure your speedo is accurate?

[tvrgit]

Baked_bean said:

I always thought that handheld radar guns can't take down car details and can only record speed?

The OP doesn't say it was a handheld device, or that it recorded the cars details

[Baked_bean]

Sorry tvrgit! didn't read the op correctly.... my bad

[woogie]

Ask them if you can do the half day traffic awareness course , that's what I did last month. It was 3 hours and was good fun. You still get the 60 quid fine but no points.

[cs02rm0]

woogie said:

Ask them if you can do the half day traffic awareness course , that's what I did last month. It was 3 hours and was good fun. You still get the 60 quid fine but no points.

Bloody hell! How much indoctrination can they think up for three hours on one issue?!

[Carstudio]

It was hand held and yesterday I went to hand in my documents and licence and bumped into a neighbour - yep, same 3 points/fine, same bit of road, same copper and exactly the same speed 39mph. He's as adamant as I am that I wasn't speeding. He had his aged mother and a young daughter in the car and the Mother was as dumbstruck as he was.

We are both filling in the complaint form, but I know it'll be miraculous if there's any change in the outcome. I went back yesterday and tooksome photos from where he was parked, I don't know how to post them on here but he must have been pointing his gun through 2 sets of railings and a hand rail, plus a parked van and he was moving!.

Thanks for those with advice.

[Carstudio]

grahamw48 said:

Carstudio said:

Hi all, I was pulled on the 29th of December for apparently doing 39mph in a 30mph limit. The thing is their car was moving on a side road coming down to a T junction. They couldn't have achieved a static reading as a very large Iveco truck was parked blocking their view, if they'd achieved a reading from in front of the truck they'd have to have been aiming through 2 sets of railings on top of a garden wall surrounding a house. I've been down the same road for years and a couple of weeks before Christmas they put up "Police speed check area" signs on the road (Queens Drive in Ossett) and I've seen quite a few people caught. I was going slowly because of this but having been back I've noticed that the signs are visible from on direction but not the way I was travelling.
I'd hope it wasn't because I was driving a bright yellow Stratos replica but judging by the attitude of one of the two officers (the driver, the passenger came across as embarrassed if anything), I must admit it did make me feel like I'd been targeted!
They showed me the speed reading but I honestly wasn't doing the 39mph and when he claimed "you were probably doing over 40mph before we got a fix on you" I was stunned.
Does anyone know if 1) you can write a letter of complaint
2) there has to be a speed camera warning sign if there's a speed trap set up.

I've to present my documents at the Police station this week end and I wont be near a computer till Monday, but if anyone could give me any advice I'd appreciate it.

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Next time drive at 29mph, especially in a built up area where you might knock over someone's child...maybe mine.

So 30mph is dangerous in a 30 limit is it?. I've got kids too and have had 3 points in 26 years of driving, I'd like to think I'm a responsible driver, what's your point?!.

[Nedrick]

Carstudio said:

It was hand held and yesterday I went to hand in my documents and licence and bumped into a neighbour - yep, same 3 points/fine, same bit of road, same copper and exactly the same speed 39mph. He's as adamant as I am that I wasn't speeding. He had his aged mother and a young daughter in the car and the Mother was as dumbstruck as he was.

We are both filling in the complaint form, but I know it'll be miraculous if there's any change in the outcome. I went back yesterday and tooksome photos from where he was parked, I don't know how to post them on here but he must have been pointing his gun through 2 sets of railings and a hand rail, plus a parked van and he was moving!.

Thanks for those with advice.

What complaint are you making at the police station? Is it about the officer or the process? Having produced your documents have you filled in the slip on the back of the ticket requesting a court hearing or have you agreed to pay the fine?