Re: speeding ticket - how often should the camera be calibrated?

On Sun, 30 Apr 2006 14:00:46 +0100, kevin bailey
<kbailey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Anyway - I'm trying to make sure there is nothing unsafe about the
conviction and I requested the certificate which arrived and is dated 29th
September 2005.

It's from Tele-traffic (UK) Ltd and the instrument is an LTI 20-20 TS/M
Speedscope Speed measuring device. Manufacturer LASER Technology Ltd.

I heard somewhere that these devices are supposed to be recalibrated every
day - is this the case?


Depends on what was meant by recalibrated. It couldn't mean that they
had to go back to the manufacturers every day, nor that the
manufacturer's rep had to come out on site every day they were used.

More likely it means that they should be checked by using an internal
self test, or by checking against some external reference such as a
police car with a calibrated speedometer. JMHO but I notice that the
laser devices do not have the "failsafe" of the Gatso devices of the
calibrated markings on the road, so maybe there is a requirement that
they are checked at the start of each shift. Just guessing.

I thought the law required two independant measurements of speed, but
with these devices as opposed to the Gatsos there is a copper there
and his estimate of speed will count as an "independant measurement".

The calibration certificates I've seen certify compliance with the
type approval for a period of 1 year so I guess you can't claim the
laser speed meter was not being used within it's type approval.

And would I be able to contest the case based on the fact that this unit has
not been recalibrated for just over six months?

Naah,

<http://www.safecam.org.uk/DownloadableDocuments/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=39>

Clearly shows certificates valid for 1 year.


Thanks for any ideas,


Check if there is any history of drivers challenging these speed
measurements successfully. It can't be worth your while for you to do
it yourself from 1st principles.

DG
.