Drivers could get speeding fines refunded
Discussion
Drivers could get speeding fines refunded
Motorists in Lancashire could have their speeding fines refunded if it is proved that the tickets were wrongly issued.
The police could be made to pay back thousands of pounds to drivers who might have been wrongly given the speeding tickets.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating
allegations that a member of staff at Lancashire Police set up mobile cameras incorrectly.
Up to 200 drivers may have wrongly been given fines or penalty points.
The authorities could be forced to reimburse up to £12,000 worth of fines if the IPCC probe uncovers any errors.
Four other police staff at the central processing unit in Blackburn are alleged to have failed to correctly process documents used by courts.
The five workers have been moved to another department while the
six-month probe takes place.
Edmund King, of the RAC Foundation, said: "If the cameras are calibrated even slightly incorrectly, it will lead to injustice prevailing."
Fylde MP Michael Jack said the issue could shake confidence in speed cameras and policing priorities.
An IPCC spokesman said between 100 and 200 drivers were thought to have been snared by the mobile camera in question.
He would not say where the equipment had been used, or for how long.
The spokesman said that the alleged calibration problems were believed to be a result of human error.
The matter was passed to the IPCC by Lancashire Police after an internal review last month which highlighted irregularities.
Police plan to contact motorists who might have been affected when the IPCC inquiry finishes.
A police spokesman said the force was not afraid to tackle sensitive issues quickly and with integrity.
Source: Lancashire Evening Post
Motorists in Lancashire could have their speeding fines refunded if it is proved that the tickets were wrongly issued.
The police could be made to pay back thousands of pounds to drivers who might have been wrongly given the speeding tickets.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating
allegations that a member of staff at Lancashire Police set up mobile cameras incorrectly.
Up to 200 drivers may have wrongly been given fines or penalty points.
The authorities could be forced to reimburse up to £12,000 worth of fines if the IPCC probe uncovers any errors.
Four other police staff at the central processing unit in Blackburn are alleged to have failed to correctly process documents used by courts.
The five workers have been moved to another department while the
six-month probe takes place.
Edmund King, of the RAC Foundation, said: "If the cameras are calibrated even slightly incorrectly, it will lead to injustice prevailing."
Fylde MP Michael Jack said the issue could shake confidence in speed cameras and policing priorities.
An IPCC spokesman said between 100 and 200 drivers were thought to have been snared by the mobile camera in question.
He would not say where the equipment had been used, or for how long.
The spokesman said that the alleged calibration problems were believed to be a result of human error.
The matter was passed to the IPCC by Lancashire Police after an internal review last month which highlighted irregularities.
Police plan to contact motorists who might have been affected when the IPCC inquiry finishes.
A police spokesman said the force was not afraid to tackle sensitive issues quickly and with integrity.
Source: Lancashire Evening Post
Yet another report of failings in relation to speeding, and yet another suggestion that motorists may have fines refunded.
However, even if the IPCC finds that there were failings, the courts might not overturn the 'convictions'.
Even if they do, past experience indicates it is most probable that the poor motorists will have to initiate proceedings themselves to recover their fines.
Then there is the matter of compensation. I wonder whether anyone has successfully sued a Constabulary or Scamera Pratnership for compensation (or if any such has been quietly paid out to avoid publicity). I can;t recall seeing much in the news about payments (e.g. following the Folly Bottom fiasco).
[Dibble] - BTW, is there a possibility of conspiracy here, or are the events unrelated?
Streaky
However, even if the IPCC finds that there were failings, the courts might not overturn the 'convictions'.
Even if they do, past experience indicates it is most probable that the poor motorists will have to initiate proceedings themselves to recover their fines.
Then there is the matter of compensation. I wonder whether anyone has successfully sued a Constabulary or Scamera Pratnership for compensation (or if any such has been quietly paid out to avoid publicity). I can;t recall seeing much in the news about payments (e.g. following the Folly Bottom fiasco).
[Dibble] - BTW, is there a possibility of conspiracy here, or are the events unrelated?
Streaky
streaky said:
Yet another report of failings in relation to speeding, and yet another suggestion that motorists may have fines refunded.
However, even if the IPCC finds that there were failings, the courts might not overturn the 'convictions'.
Even if they do, past experience indicates it is most probable that the poor motorists will have to initiate proceedings themselves to recover their fines.
Then there is the matter of compensation. I wonder whether anyone has successfully sued a Constabulary or Scamera Pratnership for compensation (or if any such has been quietly paid out to avoid publicity). I can;t recall seeing much in the news about payments (e.g. following the Folly Bottom fiasco).
[Dibble] - BTW, is there a possibility of conspiracy here, or are the events unrelated?
Streaky
I think this one area of compo which should be chased up. Should be given double the fine und related costs at the very least to right the wrong completely. They so quick to penalise their victim financially ... so it only right that their pocket also penalised financially by same amount. Refunds plus same again in "fine" with threat of points on their licences if not paid or responded to within the 28 day (or whatever) time limit However, even if the IPCC finds that there were failings, the courts might not overturn the 'convictions'.
Even if they do, past experience indicates it is most probable that the poor motorists will have to initiate proceedings themselves to recover their fines.
Then there is the matter of compensation. I wonder whether anyone has successfully sued a Constabulary or Scamera Pratnership for compensation (or if any such has been quietly paid out to avoid publicity). I can;t recall seeing much in the news about payments (e.g. following the Folly Bottom fiasco).
[Dibble] - BTW, is there a possibility of conspiracy here, or are the events unrelated?
Streaky
Well, in the event that the SCP were negligent in issuing the fines, it may be that the losses which flow as a result (i.e. increased insurance premiums etc) may be recoverable. I wonder if, as a result of gaining that last three points and losing your license and job, a travelling saleman or similar role could recover lost income etc.. as well.
Will be interesting to see if anyone takes it that far.
Will be interesting to see if anyone takes it that far.
esselte said:
Dibble said:
Fylde MP Michael Jack said the issue could shake confidence in speed cameras and policing priorities.
Surely not...
Not being cynical, but how could HMG explain the sudden increase in the unemployed stats if all the SCP collapsed tomorrow.
Cut to No 10 - Mr Brown has some good news and some bad news ---
Good news - we propose to increase road safety.
Bad news - all SCP staff are being made redundant.
AH well, porkers might fly.
streaky said:
[Dibble] - BTW, is there a possibility of conspiracy here, or are the events unrelated?
Streaky
STreaky old chumStreaky
You know as much about it as I do - and I've no idea what the full details are. There's a press release about it on the IPCC website as well. There's no obvious mention of it on the Lancashire Polcie website, nor is there anything on the SCP site.
My own personal view is that if there's any doubt about the validity of the tickets (leaving aside the often argued points regarding the overall accuracies of LTI and the like), then the ticketees should have their points/fines overturned.
In Utopia, they'd also get back any out of pocket expenses as well (eg Court costs, loss of earnings, increased insurance premiums). They'd should this without having to ask.
In reality, I think the SCP (or whoever) will only deal with any challenges they receive). I don't have any factual basis for this - it's just my opinion, which obviously doesn't reflect official policy...
Dibble said:
streaky said:
[Dibble] - BTW, is there a possibility of conspiracy here, or are the events unrelated?
Streaky
STreaky old chumStreaky
You know as much about it as I do - and I've no idea what the full details are. There's a press release about it on the IPCC website as well. There's no obvious mention of it on the Lancashire Polcie website, nor is there anything on the SCP site.
My own personal view is that if there's any doubt about the validity of the tickets (leaving aside the often argued points regarding the overall accuracies of LTI and the like), then the ticketees should have their points/fines overturned.
In Utopia, they'd also get back any out of pocket expenses as well (eg Court costs, loss of earnings, increased insurance premiums). They'd should this without having to ask.
In reality, I think the SCP (or whoever) will only deal with any challenges they receive). I don't have any factual basis for this - it's just my opinion, which obviously doesn't reflect official policy...
- those pinged remembered the road works und thought they had been copped there with some anger of course. One smart alec though.. he knew he not been speeding in the road works. He find it in wrong place. He challenge. They admit error. He take them to court. He did sue for all losses. He got them. How do I know? Because .. I happen know the legal beagle involved in the case down in Wales
But South Wales did not contact anyone. They said it up to drivers to contact them.. But they made no effort to alert them. It only when the legal Beagles und the drivers who won did a tabloid PR job that more came forward. South Wales prats tried to keep as quiet as possible .. they settled each case quietly without any media spotlights.
I do not know if part of the deal struck. My Beagle contact there keep "stumm" as "client confidentiality" Then there was similar case in Manchester. July 2005 I think. Road works. Tempo 30 mph. Only they put the scam in the 40 mph zone but set to trig at the 10%+2. It raked in lots of cash. Manchester ABD help this challenge when one astute driver complained. DriveSafe place advert in Manchester papers stating if anyone zapped between und up to the date this came to light und they moved the scam.. they would cancel tickets, refund fines und cleanse the licence. But they offered no compo
They should do .. especially if someone lose job at tot-up over this. 
We also had Folly Bottom und the scam which flashed anything that moved in West Yorks once. Did not matter if you drove past at 10 mph. This scam claimed 82 mph for everyone. I would have thought the scammers might have been a little puzzled that everyone drive past at precisely 82mph though. (This highlighted in all West Yorks regionals - should be in their archives if anyone want the fullest story of around late 2003/early 2004)
Ings? That threw one major wobbly in 2006 .. flashing everything. Steviebabes claimed they were "testing it"
und said on local radio that anyone over 40 mph should expect a NIP all the same Mad Doc phoned in 
He und Ern between them gave him "merry hell" over it. 
Mad Doc tied him in knots with his bait und Ern from South Lakes reeled him in as I recall. Neither aware that two mutual internet motoring site pals were playing the submarinated fish at the time The poor submarinated one. He really gasped for oxygen 
Dibbles .. we want more dedicated cops out there don;t we just? I want your sort..as in decent, fair minded - but still like granite when dealing with truly awful drivers/bikers/cyclists/lippy pedestrians
und the drunks.. und the real criminals. Cousin BiB say respect beget respect though und much as they'd love to deliver well aimed kick in the proverbial scrotum at times - they say it take wind out of sails if they stay cool und completely unfazed .. und always polite We also want any device they use to be at least accurate und we also want those operating such devices to use common sense und go after the ones who really cause the incidents.. as in low life chavs in their genuine pratmobiles which are usually chuck-ways unroadworthy illegal heaps or souped up chavmobiles driven by a Darwinistic prick.
But these are the ones who best copped by real police. They too wide boy to get pinged after all. Und even if they do.. they not registered keeper or unlicenced fly-by-night type anyway
But ja..I do know what you really up against all the same. Never take my BiB bash posts personally. They for discussion. I get them from the gutter tabloids. I like gutter tabloids. They such fun to read after all.
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