Calibration of Speed Cameras?

[G_Reaper]

In most industrial instances where accurate measurment and reproducability of results is needed, calibration of instrumentation is paramount to maintaining quality of results and thus product.

1)Do the owners of speed cameras have the cameras calibrated regularly?
2) Who owns and runs the cameras?
3) What would be the time limit between each calibration (assuming they must calibrate them)?
4) Do I have the right to ask about calibration certificates/maintenance etc.
5) If I do start questioning these points what is the likelyhood of just getting slapped with more points and a bigger fine?

I dont want to take this fine lying down as the camera of which I speak is in my oppinion not sited in an area at which speed would be a major contribution to RTA's.

Regards Mike

[Richard C]

Thinking of the industrial analogy, Calibration and therefore traceability and repeatbility is a cornerstone of ISO9001 ( was BS5750 ) and most technical cos spend a small fortune annually in cailbrating test and measurement equipments.

Assuming the local authorities or Dept Transport own or maintain these things as well as police should not these bodies be ISO registered ?

Are they ?

[lucozade]

Mike,

You can ask for calibration certificates for the devices without any fear of future problems. Occasionally the forces do get things wrong and the device hasn't been calibrated or the certificate hasn't be correctly filled in.
Be aware though this is rare and in the majority of cases all the paperwork will be in order.
But it is worthwhile asking for the paperwork - you never know!

[Godfrey H]

Knowing what a pain calibration and certification is in the industrial setting, like Reaper I would really like to know what standard they are adhering to. I would put money on it's not a very rigorous one.

[gixxer1000]

G_Reaper said:

I dont want to take this fine lying down as the camera of which I speak is in my oppinion not sited in an area at which speed would be a major contribution to RTA's. Regards Mike

Mike, you may want to do some research into the particular force that sent you the NIP (assuming it was a NIP).

I have a NIP pending from a recent trip to Scotland, and like you felt that the location of the "safety" camera van could not possibly have been in a known accident area (straight bit of a new dual carriageway, two lanes plus hard shoulder each way, armco etc).

Their website said this:

"The majority of camera enforcement activity will be directed towards targeting areas with known crash and casualty histories. Cameras will however be used at other locations where individuals, or community groups, raise concerns about speeding traffic, and a subsequent survey confirms speed is likely to be compromising safety."

So they are not ALWAYS sited at previous crash sites, contrary to statements I have seen in other posts.

[Deadly Dog]

G_Reaper said:

In most industrial instances where accurate measurment and reproducability of results is needed, calibration of instrumentation is paramount to maintaining quality of results and thus product. 1)Do the owners of speed cameras have the cameras calibrated regularly? 2) Who owns and runs the cameras? 3) What would be the time limit between each calibration (assuming they must calibrate them)? 4) Do I have the right to ask about calibration certificates/maintenance etc. 5) If I do start questioning these points what is the likelyhood of just getting slapped with more points and a bigger fine?

This is what the law has to say about admissibilty of evidence from speed cameras:

From www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1991/Ukpga_19910040_en_2.htm#mdiv23

"(4) A record produced or measurement made by a prescribed device shall not be admissible as evidence of a fact relevant to proceedings for an offence to which this section applies unless
(a) the device is of a type approved by the Secretary of State, and
(b) any conditions subject to which the approval was given are satisfied."

Statement (b) is of paramount importance as a condition of Type Approval will be the on-going maintenance and calibration of the speed camera. So under the 1996 Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act, if a speeding allegation goes to Court, the Prosecution are legally obliged to disclose to the Defence all evidence of compliance to Type Approval conditions. Failure to do so would suggest that the Prosecution do not have sufficient evidence to support their case.

As the saying in industry goes, "expansion is the enemy of quality". With the numbers of cameras set to triple, can they really effectively manage their calibration and repair on such a huge scale? Given the costs involved I very much doubt it. However, is your average scamera victim going to understand the significance of calibration, let alone how it can be challenged in Court?

An example of a individual who defeated a speeding allegation by challenging the accuracy of the speed camara is recorded here - scroll down to the story of Michael.

Also of interest was this message posted on the Unsigned Forms yahoo group a while ago:

From http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unsigned_forms/message/1299

"Had an interesting chat with a workmate in Birmingham today. His brother,allegedly, works for an agency which is contracted to maintain all the roadside Gatso cameras for a large constabulary. His brother told him that Gatsos are only calibrated when they are initially installed into the roadside grey box we all know and love. The camera equipment can be moved from Gatso to Gatso depending on requirements, therefore only one in seven Gatsos are actually fitted
with a camera at any one time!! The best bit is that Gatso cameras are affected by weather and over time a rarely used camera will lose it's radar calibration and the motor drive which winds the film between the two photographs can become lazy. This could mean that apart from a false radar reading, the two pictures may be taken further apart thus it appears your speed is in excess of the actual. Has anyone ever heard of this before? It certainly gives food for thought."


>> Edited by Deadly Dog on Wednesday 3rd September 22:03