Sat-nav indicated I wasn't speeding, but...

[srebbe64]

I got flashed by a camera.

Yesterday on the M4 eleveated section, I was doing EXACTLY 40 mph according to my TomTom Sat-nav. I knew the limit and I knew where the cameras were. However, one camera flashed me. I was with my 15 yr old son who absolutely confirm I was doing 40, because immediately after it flashed I pointed to my speed on the unit.

If I get a fine/points what legal redress do I have. I have FAR more confidence in a sat-nav unit than a scamera!

I feel very strongly about this and I'm prepared to fight it all the way if necessary!

Any feedback would be helpful.

Cheers,

Steve

[crazylegs]

The lines on the road should corroborate your speed, so if you get an NIP then ask for the photos...

[TonyRec]

If you werent speeding then you have nothing to worry about

[Einion Yrth]

TonyRec said:

If you werent speeding then you have nothing to worry about

You have more confidence than I - but then I guess you would have.

[john57]

There is one camera on the M4 elevated thats is flashing loads at the moment - I think it may have gone wrong.

[james_j]

TonyRec said:

If you werent speeding then you have nothing to worry about

It'll still be a battle to get off though, with threats of worse should you lose in court rather than just pay up.

[srebbe64]

james_j said:

It'll still be a battle to get off though, with threats of worse should you lose in court rather than just pay up.

But that's just wrong and unjust. It's as bad as the newspapers printing a false article about you, but knowing that to pursue it legally could cost a lot of money, therefore you don't. Honestly, I will pursue the matter to the highest level if they attempt to convict me. I've got many lawyer friends, many of whom owe me favours because I've referred clients to them. As such, my proverbial pockets are deep. Equally, I will also get the press involved if justice doesn't prevail.

[ledfoot]

srebbe64 said:

I was doing EXACTLY 40 mph according to my TomTom Sat-nav.

But if your speedometer showed you were doing 90mph, the Tomtom is worthless.

[deva link]

All sorts of things set them off, and don't they flash every now and again to recharge themselves?

When they first put one in Chester, it was set to flash at random, so people would know it was there, but no action was being taken. Caused absolute uproar with indignant drivers going to the police station and they had to turn it off!

[mybrainhurts]

TonyRec said:

If you werent speeding then you have nothing to worry about

....Oh, you are a one, TR.

Wot about those two guys who would have been done in the last couple of weeks, had they not challenged the evidence.....?

Methinks you have blind faith, old boy....

[J1mmyD]

When it comes to speed cameras, the lines on the road serve as a manual check of the camera operations.

This is why the camera takes two photographs, NOT to actually determine your speed, but to act as a CONFIRMATION of the camera's reading.

Simply by counting the lines that have been covered by the car in the time between the two photographs having been taken, you can confirm the speed of the vehicle manually.

Ensure that should you find a FPN dropping through the letterbox that you ask for this confirmation.

[justinp1]

srebbe64 said:

james_j said: It'll still be a battle to get off though, with threats of worse should you lose in court rather than just pay up. But that's just wrong and unjust. It's as bad as the newspapers printing a false article about you, but knowing that to pursue it legally could cost a lot of money, therefore you don't. Honestly, I will pursue the matter to the highest level if they attempt to convict me. I've got many lawyer friends, many of whom owe me favours because I've referred clients to them. As such, my proverbial pockets are deep. Equally, I will also get the press involved if justice doesn't prevail.

I had exactly the same opinion as you, I fought my case, because mine was as dodgy as hell. The evidence came down to an opinion of speed attained at half a mile away, and an LTI2020 laser picking out my number plate at a quarter of a mile. Handheld. The device wasnt tested that day apart it was tested on the way out and not when he came back as he should have. There was no record of a test whatsoever, and it was all according to the PCs memory of the day which was 9 months earlier. Needless to say his memory was so great he remembered all this, where he aimed at my car etc, but could not remember what colour my bright yellow TVR Tuscan was...

Because I had the audacity to fight it, the magistrates actually have me a punishment above their guidelines, so 3 points and £60 turned into a couple of days off work, £200 fine, £100 costs and 6 points for my only driving offence in ten years of driving... I appealed against this and got the help of a barrister to lodge the appeal at a cost of £825.

Lost again, however my points reduced from 6 to 4, but an additional court cost of £275.

Thus, fighting a dodgy case cost me 3 days off work, and a total of £1400. I would appeal again, but I am told the cost may run into thousands more, just to find that the system falls in behind itself again.

Do I wish I took the £60 and 3 points at the time? What do you think?

A sad situation I know, but the reality of what happens.

>> Edited by justinp1 on Sunday 15th January 18:43

[WildCat]

mybrainhurts said:

TonyRec said: If you werent speeding then you have nothing to worry about ....Oh, you are a one, TR. Wot about those two guys who would have been done in the last couple of weeks, had they not challenged the evidence.....? Methinks you have blind faith, old boy....

I think I am inclined to agree with you very much, Liebchen.

I do not trust machines.. ;}

[gpshead]

srebbe64 said:

I got flashed by a camera.

Are you talking about the one just before the on-slip from Junction 2 going eastbound? If so, I saw this one flashing randomly just a couple of days ago, and no-one was doing anything like 40mph. If it was that one then I think you can breathe easy

[srebbe64]

gpshead said:

srebbe64 said: I got flashed by a camera. Are you talking about the one just before the on-slip from Junction 2 going eastbound? If so, I saw this one flashing randomly just a couple of days ago, and no-one was doing anything like 40mph. If it was that one then I think you can breathe easy

Yeah it definitely was that one! Good, I hope you're right.

I did get flashed by another one yesterday in a tunnel on the tunnel run, but I was guilty as charged on that one!!

[streaky]

WildCat said:

mybrainhurts said: TonyRec said: If you werent speeding then you have nothing to worry about ....Oh, you are a one, TR. Wot about those two guys who would have been done in the last couple of weeks, had they not challenged the evidence.....? Methinks you have blind faith, old boy.... I think I am inclined to agree with you very much, Liebchen. I do not trust machines.. ;}

Nor the scamera pratnerships to check the speed against the lines (several examples recently) - Streaky

[Tonyrec]

mybrainhurts said:

TonyRec said: If you werent speeding then you have nothing to worry about ....Oh, you are a one, TR. Wot about those two guys who would have been done in the last couple of weeks, had they not challenged the evidence.....? Methinks you have blind faith, old boy....

All i was saying was if a ticket comes through then of course challenge it, see the evidence but i still stick by what i said, if you werent speeding you have nothing to worry about.

I havent personally heard of anyone getting flashed and prosecuted when they werent speeding. Seen plenty scameras going off in my rear view when i was 'comfortably' below the limit and didnt hear anything.

Perhaps i do have blind faith, only time will tell.

[mybrainhurts]

Tonyrec said:

I havent personally heard of anyone getting flashed and prosecuted when they werent speeding.

Wake up....two of them hit the national press in the last couple of weeks.

Gatso admitted the radar bounced off an oncoming bus, after the engineer biker proved he was under the limit when he got the photo. Scamerati did not check the pic before doing him. You'll find it here if you search.

Can't remember details of the other one.

A lorry was flashed/prosecuted a few years ago....whilst stationary.


edited...

here's one....www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=231019&f=10&h=0&hw=gatso

here's the other....www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=10&t=234060

I have details of others somewhere in my archives, but my archives are hiding from me at the moment.

>> Edited by mybrainhurts on Monday 16th January 01:42

[7db]

I set that camera off today. I was on the other side of the armco.

If you get a NIP fight it hard.

[turbobloke]

7db's evidence suggests this camera has radar and flash activated but no film. Can't be sure - and its condition may have changed between S64's and 7db's events.