unsigned NIP? anyone actually gone to court?

[andy_b]

Hi, I think I was gatsoed by the speed cameras just outsied Silverstone last Monday, forgot they were there (doh!)

Havent recieved anything yet, but expect to as I saw a flash (didnt think forward cameras flashed).

Anyway been reading here and on seatcupra.net about not signing your NIP and basically going around in circles, but what happens in the end, do you actually end up in court...

...and has anyone actually been taken to court yet (other than the test cases)

Many thanks in advance

andy

[boxster]

If it forward flashed there was something wrong with it. Gatsos are set up to get you from behind. (oo er) It's actually dangerous to flash you from in front as it may temporarily blind you, that's why Truvelos use infra red flashes. I suppose if
a) Someone coming the other way set it off
b) You were breaking the speed limit also
c) There were lines painted across both sides of the road
they might just be able to get you. Has anyone heard of this happening?

[deltaf]

All the time.
If it flashes you from the front its usually just got a radar and flash unit installed, they do it to scare us, (dosent work).

[yertis]

deltaf said: All the time.
If it flashes you from the front its usually just got a radar and flash unit installed, they do it to scare us, (dosent work).

You speak for yourself mate! Still makes me wince.

But when I've bought your new plates I won't have to worry, will I

[CarZee]

The ones on the A43 near Silverstone are TruVelos.. Blue forward facing units with yellow bits, last time I passed them recently. I thought they used an infra-red (invisible) flash? Dunno if they record to film or digitally. If the latter, much less chance of it being out of service.

Gatsos are quite a diferent shape, usually grey bodied and use a white flash. They aren't used in forward facing installations in the UK although they can be set up for it AFAIK.

[TSS]

CarZee said: The ones on the A43 near Silverstone are TruVelos.. Blue forward facing units with yellow bits, last time I passed them recently. I thought they used an infra-red (invisible) flash? Dunno if they record to film or digitally. If the latter, much less chance of it being out of service.

Truvelo cameras seem to use a slightly less intense flash than Gatsos and it has a mild pink tinge to it, so perhaps some of it is within the IR spectrum to make front plates easier to read at night.

My brother got done by one in Northampton at night. He saw the flash quite clearly. I have seen his photos, the picture of the car and driver is rather poor quality. You can see what make/colour the car is but no way could you positively identify the driver’s face. However, his front number plate shows up absolutely perfectly.

I have seen a few Truvelos go off at people in daytime and the flash has been visible but not very bright.

[moreymach]

Have a look at the 'safespeed' site. It seems pretty up to date and when I last looked no one had actually been to court for not signing dispite all the bluff n bluster from the cops.


www.safespeed.org.uk/unsigned.html

[andy_b]

thanks guys. I deffinetly saw the flash, and the unit was blue truvelo. It was also on my left, on the side of the carriageway, so unlikely it was oncoming traffice.

'suppose I'll just have to wait and see

>> Edited by andy_b on Sunday 1st June 21:23

[Neil_H]

Has anyone considered the possibility that all these unsigned NIPs are being saved up by the CPS with the intention of waiting for new legislation? So when the loophole is closed they introduce some standard penalty for failing to sign (they will find a way round it), and hit all these cases with one blanket swoop and rake in the ££££'s to spend on more cameras? Just a theory....

[Richard C]

Legislation cannot normally be made retrospective. If the legislation was defective at the time of the offence then subsequent legislation cannot affect it.

Since S 172 is a section of the 1988 Act it needs an amendment order to change it. It can't be sneaked in as a Statutory Instrument. If such an order is tabled we need to bombard the press etc with the 'assault on civil liberties'.

I would think the CPS and scamera partnerships hope that the tide of revolt is limited to 5-10%. Most businesses accept a fall in turnover of this nature - and the partnerships have nothing but their own ineffciency in way of costs.

Oh, and the British public are so remarkably complaint when anything to do with 'authority' is mentioned.

[skittle]

Really depends if they want to make legislation retrospective.

Usually they do not as you could conceivably be guilty of a crime that was not in existance at that time.

[simonrockman]

It might not be a case of changing the legislation, but a claification. Does 172 mean you have to sign the form as part of your obligation to provide the information. If a judge decides that it does - and FWIW I think that it's likely as it's all a matter of people wanting to wriggle off a speeding offence - then all those NIPs gathering dust can be acted aggainst.