what powers to locals have when holding speed gun?

what powers to locals have when holding speed gun?

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Discussion

muzza289

Original Poster:

169 posts

219 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
Where i live - there are two old buys in the full yellow outfits who appear periodically and one points a speed gun at cars and the other seems to write down the registration on his notepad as you drive (out) of their village - and i suppose into it to!

it's a 30 and most people seem to observe this, especially as numerous buses trundle along there keeping the traffic speed down.

just wondered what they can do? do they report you too the police - can they issue fines/points?

had a look in the past posts but couldn't find any answers

can anyone enlighten me?

Truckosaurus

11,183 posts

283 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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They can report you to the Police just as any other pedestrian could.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
They have no powers whatsoever, they can inform the police that AB12CDE was speeding but even if it is a real speed camera, the data they provide can not be used as evidence for prosectuion and a good lawyer would tear it to shreds, user training, calibration etc etc. They could be gathering data to support a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph perhaps? If you have the time, take photos of them whenever they point the camera at a car. Nothing annoys people like photographing them in a public place smile

rek

129 posts

122 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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In Sandhurst I saw a group of people with a camera and an electronic smiley/frowny face that changed according to the speed people were doing, Someone at work got a letter about speeding but I think that was all, no fine etc...

bga

8,134 posts

250 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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rek said:
In Sandhurst I saw a group of people with a camera and an electronic smiley/frowny face that changed according to the speed people were doing, Someone at work got a letter about speeding but I think that was all, no fine etc...
That's all that happens around here (Mid-Sussex). A bit of a grumpy letter that basically says we could tell you off if you want to etc.

Mk3Spitfire

2,921 posts

127 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
pablo said:
They have no powers whatsoever, they can inform the police that AB12CDE was speeding
And also that they have an illegally spaced number plate?

ging84

8,828 posts

145 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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they have might powers when they have a speed gun and a pen

they can send letter to anyone who might care

Lurking Lawyer

4,534 posts

224 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
bga said:
That's all that happens around here (Mid-Sussex). A bit of a grumpy letter that basically says we could tell you off if you want to etc.
I had something similar from the Staffordshire Safety Camera Partnership after (I assume) being clocked doing 34 in a 30 by a couple of old codgers in high-vis vests on my morning commute.

I assumed they loan speeds gun to the moaners who complain about speeding around their area to try to educate drivers rather than have to divert "real" resources.

And in fairness, it has probably worked - at least with me. I do tend to pay more attention to my speed around that area now.

(That said, I'm not quite sure why there were standing where they were - it was on the outgoing edge of a small built-up area with a 30 limit, just before the limit goes back to NSL. They were pointing the gun at traffic about to leave the built up area rather than just about to enter it. Go figure....)

Webber3

1,228 posts

218 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
bga said:
That's all that happens around here (Mid-Sussex). A bit of a grumpy letter that basically says we could tell you off if you want to etc.
Was the letter from the police? If not, how did these people get the address?

Paul Dishman

4,676 posts

236 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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Being nosey I was chatting to the couple of bods wielding a speed gun around the corner from me. Apparently you get an arsey letter from the local plod if they report you, accompanied by a threat of a visit from said plod if you are a serial offender.

I do wonder about some people's observation skills though, as despite a speed checks warning sign on the pavement and three people in clear sight- two in high vis and myself- a woman in a Renault came past at 43 mph in a 30 limit rolleyes

Devil2575

13,400 posts

187 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
Lurking Lawyer said:
(That said, I'm not quite sure why there were standing where they were - it was on the outgoing edge of a small built-up area with a 30 limit, just before the limit goes back to NSL. They were pointing the gun at traffic about to leave the built up area rather than just about to enter it. Go figure....)
That's an easy one to answer.

They have decided in advance that there is a problem with people speeding so have stood at the point where they feel they are best placed to prove themselves right.

A case of knowing the answer and designing a test to give the desired result.

rscott

14,690 posts

190 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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Devil2575 said:
Lurking Lawyer said:
(That said, I'm not quite sure why there were standing where they were - it was on the outgoing edge of a small built-up area with a 30 limit, just before the limit goes back to NSL. They were pointing the gun at traffic about to leave the built up area rather than just about to enter it. Go figure....)
That's an easy one to answer.

They have decided in advance that there is a problem with people speeding so have stood at the point where they feel they are best placed to prove themselves right.

A case of knowing the answer and designing a test to give the desired result.
Not the case in Essex. Community Speedwatch can only operate in the exact location (and direction!) approved by the police. Elf & Safety..

BullyB

2,344 posts

246 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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It's not such a bad idea really.
Makes people slow down, think and possibly not do it again on that road.
All done with no real cost to the tax payer or the motorist.

Keeps the OAP's and NIMBY's busy too.

emmaT2014

1,860 posts

115 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
pablo said:
They have no powers whatsoever, they can inform the police that AB12CDE was speeding but even if it is a real speed camera, the data they provide can not be used as evidence for prosectuion and a good lawyer would tear it to shreds, user training, calibration etc etc. They could be gathering data to support a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph perhaps? If you have the time, take photos of them whenever they point the camera at a car. Nothing annoys people like photographing them in a public place smile
What makes you say that?
It may be the case that only a letter will result from this type of operation but there is nothing to prevent a prosecution from the evidence of 2 witnesses even if they didn't have a gun to measure the speed. With a speed gun their evidence is even more acceptable.
Do you think that when they go back to the police with, say, a speed reading of 95mph in a 30mph speed limit the police will be justified in sending out a snotty letter?
It will be interesting to see what does happen if such an event occurs.
The police don't have a monopoly on prosecutions, the civilians can take their evidence to the CPS. Again it probably won't happen but there is nothing to prevent that.

HTP99

22,443 posts

139 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
I recieved a letter a few years ago from the Police due to these local camera initiatives, it was stated that of I did it again I may be prosecuted; which I don't believe, anyway it was a pool car so chances are if it was caught again it wouldn't be me driving.

Funny thing was these people were so old that I should imagine a few MPH would be due to them shaking so much whilst pointing the speed gun at cars.

I went by them a few days later and waved, they were not happy.

Jon1967x

7,175 posts

123 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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I don't mind them. If I fail to spot them, and are a little over the limit and therefore could reasonably get caught then its a free pass with in all probability at worst a warning. If it was the police (or a man pretending to be a police officer in a van with an angry welsh man wielding a camera nearby) then it would be 3 points or a SAC. Round here they tend to be in rural areas where the roads drop from NSL to 30 through their village for a short while and they care about their community.

I have considered the need to clean my windscreen with copious amounts of screen wash as I drive past so I can get a clear view of them but have not had the opportunity lately.

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

185 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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I've been studying this for a while and come to the conclusion that there are only three templates for community speed watch volunteers:

1. Old woman that looks like a librarian
2. Old man, a bit on the plump side with full white beard
3. Old man who looks somewhat cadaverous and has no beard

I assume they are cloned somewhere.

pinchmeimdreamin

9,837 posts

217 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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They really don't like it when yo slow down either though around here,
It's not my fault my car just happens to pop and bang a little on overrun (especially if the throttle is feathered slightly whistle )

muzza289

Original Poster:

169 posts

219 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
thanks for all your answers.

I've really got no problem with them. I wouldn't want someone going past my house at 50mph so if it slows a few down in their village, then that's fine by me. just wanted to know their powers that's all

I have no intention of waving / photos etc - don't want to antagonise them - an Estoril blue E36 M3 gets enough recognisable attention anyway, so don't want them waiting for me if I slip up.

its in Essex - so don't know who said on here it has to be a designated place - maybe it is. On the B1007 as you exit Stock towards Billericay.

chuckled about the descriptions of what they generally look like by one poster - he is spot on with descriptions 2 and 3!

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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Worst "I've got an M3" thread in EVAH.