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

On Sun, 30 Apr 2006 15:12:17 GMT, "Alan Holmes"
<alan.holmes@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


"kevin bailey" <kbailey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:e32cdv$5t2$1$8300dec7@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Boring I know but I've had a ticket for doing 85 in a 70 and I'm annoyed
because it was clear daylight, nothing dangerous, same speed as most of
the
traffic etc etc etc. Not even sure I was actually doing 85 according to
my
own speedo.

I don't mind cops catching people speeding dangerously cos there are
enough
stupid drivers out there but after 25 years driving including courier work
for 8 years on bikes/vans and no convictions/accidents I reckon I'm a
pretty safe driver.

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 had one of these, and I asked to see the 'evidence' I was sent a picture
of a statiopnary car with a speed superimposed on it, I also asked how and
when it was last calibrated, apparently they are callibrated once a year,
and are 100% accurate at all speeds, the problem as far as I was concerned,
was that the task was carried out by an employee of the manufacturers, not
an independant person, not even a police officer.

"A police officer" LOL.

Who should best calibrate my Techtronix Oscilloscope? Techtronix or
"A police officer".

Who should best calibrate my Seaward PAT tester? Seaward or "A police
officer"?

AFAICS an employee of the manufacturer is an independant person in as
far as he has nothing to gain from a defective camera remaining in
service, the opposite is the case. When my PAT tester failed it's
annual calibration (because the clock batteries were flat because it
hadn't been used) the testing outfit got a juicy repair fee out of me
for a whole new printed circuit board.


It would be worth bearing in mind that these devices have been shown to be
extreemly inacurate, showing stationary objects to be travelling at speed.

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

As far as I'm aware the only devices which are calibrated more often are the
hand held radar guns which are checked every time they are used, at the
start and end of every shift, these are the only ones I would not argue
with.

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?

As I've said, even if it had beeen calibrated more recently it does not mean
it is accurate.

But the calibration certificate (valid for 1 year) shows it's use is
in accordance with it's type approval. Maybe beyond that it's up to
the defendant to prove it gave an inaccurate reading.


The time I was accused of exceeding the speed limit by one of these things,
I told the fellow who issued the ticket to take it to court and make sure he
was there to answer questions.

I heard nothing more about it.

What happened about your most recent challenge?


If there is any more you wish to discuss, please write.

DG

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