speeding & your rites - 22nd May 2004 1:18am
regardless of wot people say, speeding is the number 1 earner for the police. speeding is normally left to traffic officers, a beat officer shouldn't pull u 4 speeding as speedo's r bog standard and usually not calibrated (doesn't mean none of them are!).u can not be convicted solely by the evidence of opinion of 1 witness, corroboration can be by a 2nd independent witness or a calibrated instrument. if u are flashed by a gatso (roadside box, with road markings) u must receive a NOIP (notice of intended prosecution) within 2 weeks, if not ticket is no longer valid. radar guns are prone to interference...get it checked. laser guns have to be used on a sole car, (driving close to the car in front means check should be stopped) they need to lock on a speed for 3 continuous seconds, if there is a break, a further 3 seconds needed. if gun seen within this time...STOP! VASCAR is fitted to either cars or motorbikes and time between 2 points on a road and work out the average speed (white squares on road) unlike gatso & radar/laser, vascar can be altered. if u start at 1 marker and don't reach 2nd marker u can't be pulled! if u feel u being traced...STOP! this equipment needs calibrating once weekly...get to see the signed checks...now, otherwise they will have time to make them up if not done. unmarked cars are becoming more popular...pay a visit to your local traffic dept. (bromborough for wirral) and keep an eye out for vauxhalls, volvos &fords (usually) normally high powered, top spec & usually white, dark blue or red-maroon. will be fitted with a couple of rear window aerials, a couple of rear-view mirrors (possible video camera mounted along side) blue lights under the front grille. as these are normally open-plan u won't be trespassing. at the end of the day police make money off motorists, do all u can to make sure your in the know about your rights. hope this is useful to some of u. knowledge is the bomb!
