Scamera Accuracy
Discussion
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12389-1437513,00.html
Speed camera errors threaten drivers
By Ben Webster, Transport Correspondent
THOUSANDS of drivers may be unfairly banned for speeding under the Government’s new graduated penalty points system because of errors in the equipment used to measure speed, according to motoring groups.
And police chiefs have given warning that the courts could be overwhelmed by drivers challenging their penalties.
The Road Safety Bill proposes to introduce three tiers of speeding penalties, with points and fines rising according to the gravity of the offence.
At present, nearly all drivers caught speeding have to pay a fixed fine of £60 and have three penalty points added to their licences.
The Government is consulting on a new system under which drivers caught speeding at 39mph in a 30mph zone would receive only two points and a £40 fine. Those recorded at 40mph to 44mph would get three points and a £60 fine. At 45mph and above, the penalty would be six points and a £100 fine — leaving drivers recorded at an extra 1mph, or 45mph instead of 44mph, getting double the number of penalty points.
For motorists who had already accumulated six points, this would result in an automatic six-month driving ban for reaching the 12-point limit.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) fear that drivers who receive second and third-tier penalties will challenge them on the ground that the speed camera could have been wrongly calibrated.
Under Home Office guidelines, speed cameras are required to have an accuracy rate within 2mph of the actual speed.
Police are concerned that public trust in the graduated penalty system would be undermined unless cameras were proved to be 100 per cent accurate. Ian Bell, of Acpo, said that the current penalty system allowed a generous margin of error. “Under the proposed system the margin will be tighter. You could get double the points for an extra 1mph, he said.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “This is an issue we are aware of and it will be covered when we consult on the detail of the system.”
Speed camera errors threaten drivers
By Ben Webster, Transport Correspondent
THOUSANDS of drivers may be unfairly banned for speeding under the Government’s new graduated penalty points system because of errors in the equipment used to measure speed, according to motoring groups.
And police chiefs have given warning that the courts could be overwhelmed by drivers challenging their penalties.
The Road Safety Bill proposes to introduce three tiers of speeding penalties, with points and fines rising according to the gravity of the offence.
At present, nearly all drivers caught speeding have to pay a fixed fine of £60 and have three penalty points added to their licences.
The Government is consulting on a new system under which drivers caught speeding at 39mph in a 30mph zone would receive only two points and a £40 fine. Those recorded at 40mph to 44mph would get three points and a £60 fine. At 45mph and above, the penalty would be six points and a £100 fine — leaving drivers recorded at an extra 1mph, or 45mph instead of 44mph, getting double the number of penalty points.
For motorists who had already accumulated six points, this would result in an automatic six-month driving ban for reaching the 12-point limit.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) fear that drivers who receive second and third-tier penalties will challenge them on the ground that the speed camera could have been wrongly calibrated.
Under Home Office guidelines, speed cameras are required to have an accuracy rate within 2mph of the actual speed.
Police are concerned that public trust in the graduated penalty system would be undermined unless cameras were proved to be 100 per cent accurate. Ian Bell, of Acpo, said that the current penalty system allowed a generous margin of error. “Under the proposed system the margin will be tighter. You could get double the points for an extra 1mph, he said.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “This is an issue we are aware of and it will be covered when we consult on the detail of the system.”
catso said:
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12389-1437513,00.html
Speed camera errors threaten drivers
By Ben Webster, Transport Correspondent
THOUSANDS of drivers may be unfairly banned for speeding under the Government’s new graduated penalty points system because of errors in the equipment used to measure speed, according to motoring groups.
And police chiefs have given warning that the courts could be overwhelmed by drivers challenging their penalties.
The Road Safety Bill proposes to introduce three tiers of speeding penalties, with points and fines rising according to the gravity of the offence.
At present, nearly all drivers caught speeding have to pay a fixed fine of £60 and have three penalty points added to their licences.
The Government is consulting on a new system under which drivers caught speeding at 39mph in a 30mph zone would receive only two points and a £40 fine. Those recorded at 40mph to 44mph would get three points and a £60 fine. At 45mph and above, the penalty would be six points and a £100 fine — leaving drivers recorded at an extra 1mph, or 45mph instead of 44mph, getting double the number of penalty points.
For motorists who had already accumulated six points, this would result in an automatic six-month driving ban for reaching the 12-point limit.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) fear that drivers who receive second and third-tier penalties will challenge them on the ground that the speed camera could have been wrongly calibrated.
Under Home Office guidelines, speed cameras are required to have an accuracy rate within 2mph of the actual speed.
Police are concerned that public trust in the graduated penalty system would be undermined unless cameras were proved to be 100 per cent accurate. Ian Bell, of Acpo, said that the current penalty system allowed a generous margin of error. “Under the proposed system the margin will be tighter. You could get double the points for an extra 1mph, he said.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “This is an issue we are aware of and it will be covered when we consult on the detail of the system.”
So how does this 2 mph accuracy sit with the intention to nick us for between 31- 39 in a 30 limit.
It's sheer lunacy. But what do we expect from a government described by Richard Littlejohn as "the worst bunch of control freaks since Cromwell"
Also commented on this on the other thread about Gatso accracy and the current case in Brum Mags Court.
Also remember this +/-2mph accuracy (experimental error) is without taking into account all the known other sources of inaccuracy which can be introduced. Just one example vibration from large panel vans.
At the rsk of repeating myself, the whole system of electronic enforcement is now so thoroughly discredited that they need to be dug up, slung out and we need to start again.
Also remember this +/-2mph accuracy (experimental error) is without taking into account all the known other sources of inaccuracy which can be introduced. Just one example vibration from large panel vans.
At the rsk of repeating myself, the whole system of electronic enforcement is now so thoroughly discredited that they need to be dug up, slung out and we need to start again.
Flat in Fifth said:
Also commented on this on the other thread about Gatso accracy and the current case in Brum Mags Court.
Also remember this +/-2mph accuracy (experimental error) is without taking into account all the known other sources of inaccuracy which can be introduced. Just one example vibration from large panel vans.
At the rsk of repeating myself, the whole system of electronic enforcement is now so thoroughly discredited that they need to be dug up, slung out and we need to start again.
...but not with automated systems.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
said:
Police are concerned that public trust in the graduated penalty system would be undermined unless cameras were proved to be 100 per cent accurate.
Load of bollocks, it's not possible to make a 100% accurate speed camera. They will probably just start quoting speeds to 0.01mph on the NIP to make it sound like it's more accurate.
Flat in Fifth said:
At the rsk of repeating myself, the whole system of electronic enforcement is now so thoroughly discredited that they need to be dug up, slung out and we need to start again.
But in whose eyes is it discredited? Ours certainly, but what about gov't, police management, courts, magistrates, Partnerships, even the general public? No, sadly there's still a way to go before your statement is fully true.
Mr2Mike said:
Load of bollocks, it's not possible to make a 100% accurate speed camera.
Maybe not, but if they're going to use the damn things as evidence in prosecutions where the penalty applied could be increased based on a 1MPH difference in recorded speed, then you'd HOPE they were designed to be at least sufficiently accurate to measure in increments of 1MPH...
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