arrive alive - e.g. signs & visibility
manufacturer spec - straight line - check how this affects auto calibration
use on bends - Sheffield hallam uni lecturer tried and failed to argue this affected speed camera operation - but does it affect autocalibration?
http://www.policespecials.com/forum/index.php/topic/18033-speeders-invited-to-appeal/
Speeders' invited to appeal
Police are writing to thousands of motorists in north Wales charged with speeding to tell them they may be able to have their cases reopened.
It follows a legal ruling last month that some police statements did not meet legal requirements.
Drivers who denied speeding will be allowed to have their cases looked at.
The letters were approved by North Wales Police Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom who has caused controversy with his tough anti-speeding policy.
In the past Mr Brunstrom has branded speeders "criminals" and "anti-social"
We suspended the use of scanned officer signatures immediately
Superintendent Michele Williams
Last month, a judge at Mold Crown Court ruled that some statements which contained scanned and not original signatures of police officers were not legal.
The use of scanned signatures from officers was introduced by North Wales Police to reduce the administrative burden on police officers.
Around 6,500 motorists will receive letters in all including every driver caught speeding by a mobile camera since 6 June 2004.
Not all of them will have a right of appeal and people who pleaded guilty will not be affected by the ruling.
However, those who pleaded not guilty and were convicted may have the right to have their cases reopened if the officer operating the camera was not in court.
All penalties and convictions including any disqualification will stand until a case is overturned.
'Obsession'
North Wales Police said they decided to write to everyone who received a summons since the procedure for scanning signatures was introduced "in the interests of transparency and fairness."
"Whilst not everyone who receives a letter is directly affected, given the publicity this matter has generated, I believe people deserve clarity in respect of their position," said Superintendent Michele Williams.
"We suspended the use of scanned officer signatures immediately following the judgement and officers now physically read and sign their statements.
"North Wales Police will continue to explore the use of technology in preparing case files in order to reduce the administrative burden on police officers and free them for patrol," she added.
Earlier this month, the force's chief constable Richard Brunstrom admitted he had an "obsession" with tackling speeding motorists.
But giving evidence to giving evidence to MPs on the Welsh affairs select committee at Westminster, the police chief denied his obsession came at the expense of more serious crimes.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.u...ast/4042053.stm
http://boingboing.net/2009/07/21/sussex-cops-try-to-s.html
Sussex cops try to suppress publication of damning traffic-cam photos by claiming copyright
The Sussex, England police are trying to suppress publication of images from speed cameras -- images that show technical shortcomings in the cameras -- by claiming that they are copyrighted. Copyright is meant to protect creativity; I'm not sure who the aggrieved artist is meant to be here. Is there some tortured constable who spent hours on a ladder getting the composition of the camera's shots just right?
http://www.met.police.uk/foi/pdfs/other_information/corporate/records_management_manual_2014.pdf
The police have stringent guidelines known as the ACPO Guidelines. In addition, most speed cameras have an operator’s manual. A police officer will be required to show in Court that he is familiar with the ACPO Code of Practice in conjunction with the manufacturer’s guidelines. At Cunninghams Solicitors, we have many years experience of presenting speed camera defences where speeding prosecutions have been discontinued by the Prosecution as they were unable to prove that the correct procedures had been followed in regards to the speed camera or gatso used.
Calibration of Speed Cameras
Almost all speed camera devices will require an annual calibration certificate. In addition, the police officer must demonstrate that the daily checks have been done according to whichever particular speed camera or gatso has been used. If the Prosecution can not demonstrate the above, then a speed camera defence will be available.
False Readings on Speed Cameras
There have been various documentaries about the inaccuracy of certain speed cameras. The Tonight with Trevor MacDonald series exposed possible inaccuracies of the laser gatso devices identified by one of our panel of experts here at Cunninghams Solicitors.
http://www.drivingoffencesolicitor.co.uk/nature-of-offence/speeding-offences/speed-camera-defence/
Because the NW policy catches lots of drivers who drive carefully - use FOI act re:- Judge slams police force that let off woman superintendent caught driving at 29mph over the speed limit
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1337182/Police-let-woman-superintendent-Helen-Chamberlain-caught-speeding.html#ixzz2x3rcoTm3
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1337182/Police-let-woman-superintendent-Helen-Chamberlain-caught-speeding.html#ixzz2x3rcoTm3
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
use FOI to determine how many police officers have not been found guilty of driving above the speed limit after being caught with a speed camera.
A MERSEYSIDE businessman’s court victory could pave the way for hundreds of challenges to speeding convictions.
A judge acquitted BT director Colin Mattey of speeding after it was found a handheld speed gun used by police had not had all the necessary Home Office checks.
When the reading from the gun was thrown out as evidence, Mr Mattey, 51, of Birkenhead, walked free from court.
He had been accused of driving his BMW 630i at 46mph in a 30mph zone in Mount Road, Bebington, on May 25 last year.
But his solicitors challenged the use of the equipment used to trap speeding drivers and proved the Unipar SL700 speed gun was not up to scratch.
Every speed testing device has to undergo an annual “MoT” and, if it passes, stays on the Home Office approved list.
Despite appearing on the list, the speed gun used by Merseyside police had not been checked to make sure it was calibrated properly when it underwent its last test, so its pass certificate was invalid.
Jeanette Miller, senior partner at motor defence specialists Geoffrey Miller Solicitors, which represented Mr Mattey, said: “It is possible convictions could now be overturned when that specific certificate was relied upon.
“The significance of the outcome of this case could be far-reaching and affect every ongoing prosecution involving a Unipar SL700 in the country.
“This device was referred to as the ‘Rolls-Royce of speed detection devices’, so this major omission will undoubtedly cause great embarrassment to Unipar, the police and the Home Office.”
But both Merseyside police and the Home Office today defended the speed gun.
A police spokesman said: “In light of the decision, we have reviewed the case and are satisfied the device used to record the speed was Home Office approved and was used in accordance with ACPO guidelines.
“The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is also reviewing the matter.”
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “We are satisfied all current approved speed meters merit their status and, if properly used, will function correctly, giving a reliable reading which can be depended on in court.”
A CPS Merseyside spokeswoman said: “The case is under active consideration and, if appropriate, we will be appealing the decision.”
Last year, Merseyside police cut the number of fatalities on the region’s roads by 35%, a drop of 16 deaths.
2008! http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/driver-beats-speed-cops-court-3468624
No comments:
Post a Comment