Speed Camera Certification

[Hepatic]

As i feared, letter came today stating i'd been caught by a van doing 58 in a 50. I know i was over but not sure it was that much, and as that is the prosecution threshold i thought i'd check the evidence made available. The camera cert states it is tested at 25 75 & 100 metres, the results being mostly spot on with actual. My reading however is at 260m so what are the chances of an inaccurate reading at 2.6 times the greatest distance tested?

[mygoldfishbowl]

58 in a 50 is not the prosecution threshold.

[Retroman]

Quite close to zero

[agtlaw]

Approximately 0% chance. Also, the threshold is 57/50.

[Hepatic]

mygoldfishbowl said:

58 in a 50 is not the prosecution threshold.

thanks for not actually answering the question, most helpful.

and to quote the letter;

"our thresholds for prosecution are set at a higher level of 10% +3 mph"

50mph + 10% = 55 + 3 = 58

a single 1mph error in the reading is the difference between a prosecution and not, hence my question on the certificate testing. this isn't a situation i'm familiar with and just wanted to check what information i had.

Thx to retroman for actually answering me

[anonymous-user]

agree, the error - if any - will be negligible

the threshold for prosecution partly includes sufficient margin that the very very small error in the camera at that distance is well and truly covered I would say

if, as you say, you know were over then its a fair cop isn't it?

[tapereel]

Hepatic said:

As i feared, letter came today stating i'd been caught by a van doing 58 in a 50. I know i was over but not sure it was that much, and as that is the prosecution threshold i thought i'd check the evidence made available. The camera cert states it is tested at 25 75 & 100 metres, the results being mostly spot on with actual. My reading however is at 260m so what are the chances of an inaccurate reading at 2.6 times the greatest distance tested?

No chance at all, those figure show linearity out to maximum range,

[Cooperman]

Challenge it at your peril. The prosecution will call an expert witness and then you'll pay a small fortune when still found guilty, plus you won't be offered a speed awareness course which, at 58 in a 50 will be the likely outcome.

[mygoldfishbowl]

Hepatic said:

mygoldfishbowl said:

58 in a 50 is not the prosecution threshold.

thanks for not actually answering the question, most helpful.

My pleasure.

[HantsRat]

mygoldfishbowl said:

58 in a 50 is not the prosecution threshold.

Where do you get your information? You are incorrect. Simply check the CPS charging guidelines.

Speed limit: 50 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 57 mph
Summons: 76 mph

In short, take the course or fine, no point arguing at court and it will just cost you more in fines. The laser was calibrated and they showed you that.

[Hepatic]

HantsRat said:

mygoldfishbowl said:

58 in a 50 is not the prosecution threshold.

Where do you get your information? You are incorrect. Simply check the CPS charging guidelines.

Speed limit: 50 mph
ACPO charging threshold: 57 mph
Summons: 76 mph

In short, take the course or fine, no point arguing at court and it will just cost you more in fines. The laser was calibrated and they showed you that.

Hepatic said:

and to quote the letter;

"our thresholds for prosecution are set at a higher level of 10% +3 mph"

it appears different constabularies are allowed to vary their limits slightly, based on what punishments they wish to dish out. in my case they don't offer cautions, but increased the limit slightly on the amount you can exceed by before being prosecuted.

i have no intention of going to court, i was merely looking for info

[V8LM]

The 10%+ margin is there to ensure that any inaccuracies are dealt with fairly. I doubt arguing that you were only "1 mph above the 10%+whatever" leeway will go in your favour.

[shep1001]

You broke the speed limit at 51 mph so you were 16% above the posted speed limit. Just because they decide to prosecute at 10% + 1,2 or 3mph won't get you off the hook. Speed awareness course if offered is your best option if you don't want any points. By all means challenge it in court if you think you are hard done by but that is going to be expensive and will get you points as you were speeding.

Edited by shep1001 on Friday 15th May 20:05

[Black_S3]

Why fear... speed awareness course or 3 points, neither are the end of the world.

[robinessex]

Don't bother challenging a speed camra accuracy unless it claims to were exceeding the sound barrier!! You won't win!!!

[Taita]

It will be accurate provided it was used correctly

[mph1977]

V8LM said:

The 10%+ margin is there to ensure that any inaccuracies are dealt with fairly. I doubt arguing that you were only "1 mph above the 10%+whatever" leeway will go in your favour.

It does sound a bit of a lost cause when the defence can be summed up in the sentence

" I wasn't speeding as much as you say i was "

[Heaveho]

.

[tapereel]

mph1977 said:

V8LM said:

The 10%+ margin is there to ensure that any inaccuracies are dealt with fairly. I doubt arguing that you were only "1 mph above the 10%+whatever" leeway will go in your favour.

It does sound a bit of a lost cause when the defence can be summed up in the sentence

" I wasn't speeding as much as you say i was "

it is slightly more sophisticated than "I didn't do it" but similarly ineffective.