Stopped for speeding

Fr0dders · 16 Dec 2010 at 10:41

The ACPO guidelines take account for variations in peoples speedometers and the variation in the recording device. No Speed measurement device is 100 % accurate. Especially the hand held laser devices that can get readings of 11mph from a wall.

The 35mph reading on the gun is to be 100 % sure that the person was definately speeding. Officers who ignore this advice are doing it A) because they're an *** on a power trip or B) because they are chasing figures.

monkey_boy · 16 Dec 2010 at 10:43

DiamondMark said:
If he hated giving out speed tickets so much he would have given you a warning, 34 in a 30 zone, makes me laugh.

Mark, didn't you see the adverts on tv. If you hit a child at 30 there's an 80% chance they'll live, if you hit them at 35 they'll disintegrate into a cloud of super-mega-insta-death.

HEADRAT was only 1 mph away from disintegrating the local children! :eek:

Tysonator · 16 Dec 2010 at 10:59

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
I think you mean 34 not 43......

yes indeed, 34 not 43, typo error ! ! ! :eek:

I can understand 43 in a 30 zone, but 34 is just really harsh.

I do like the way the Police forces pick on motorists to raise some extra revenue.
Lets leave the criminals alone for a week and go fine some motorists !

ubersonic · 16 Dec 2010 at 11:03

MrLOL said:
Sadly however, the ACPO guidelines are just that ... advice.

If the OP decided to fight it to court would the be any merit to a defence of his speed being within the error tolerance of the measuring device? just wondering. If the only evidence they have is that he was defiantly doing something between 29-34 in a 30 zone it should be pretty hard to prove him guilty beyond reasonable doubt surely...

monkey_boy · 16 Dec 2010 at 11:14

ubersonic said:
If the OP decided to fight it to court would the be any merit to a defence of his speed being within the error tolerance of the measuring device? just wondering. If the only evidence they have is that he was defiantly doing something between 29-34 in a 30 zone it should be pretty hard to prove him guilty beyond reasonable doubt surely...

Wouldn't that device be the copper's speedo, and wouldn't that be calibrated?

sigma · 16 Dec 2010 at 11:16

How accurate is your speedometer? I'm guessing your indicated speed was ~37mph?

RSClio · 16 Dec 2010 at 11:21

I once did 34 in a 30, didnt get caught!

Just have to take it on the chin and be more carefull next time.

Although 34, 4MPH more I dont know how in gods name a £60 fine + 3 points is fair. All about the £££.

Von Smallhausen · 16 Dec 2010 at 12:00

That sort of ticketing I don't agree with.

34 in a 30 is well within the boundaries where discretion can be used.

monkeyspank · 16 Dec 2010 at 12:15

Yeah, god forbid you might be paying too much attention to the road and slip a few mph over the arbitrary speed limit

Participant · 16 Dec 2010 at 12:18

monkeyspank said:
Yeah, god forbid you might be paying too much attention to the road and slip a few mph over the arbitrary speed limit

Exactly.

Going past a speed camera in a 30mph zone, you can see people coming the opposite way are spending more time looking down at their speedos than at the car in front.

Janesy B · 16 Dec 2010 at 12:21

monkeyspank said:
Yeah, god forbid you might be paying too much attention to the road and slip a few mph over the arbitrary speed limit

You can pay attention and keep within the speed limit. It isn't hard to keep a constant speed.

monkeyspank · 16 Dec 2010 at 12:23

Janesy B said:
You can pay attention and keep within the speed limit. It isn't hard to keep a constant speed.

do you think the ticket was harsh?

dannyjo22 · 16 Dec 2010 at 12:25

What village was that in Headrat, I know you are only a couple of miles from me IIRC and I have seen loads of speedtraps recently in Cottenham, Willingham, Histon, Barhill areas.

Janesy B · 16 Dec 2010 at 12:26

monkeyspank said:
do you think the ticket was harsh?

No because it would have been around 37 indicated, yes it's unlucky but I refuse to accept that you have to constantly stare at your speedo to keep a constant speed.

dannyjo22 · 16 Dec 2010 at 12:28

Janesy B said:
but I refuse to accept that you have to constantly stare at your speedo to keep a constant speed.

Some cars I've had would be easy to keep at a constant 30 others not so. It's not so much constant staring to keep the speed constant more constant checking to make sure.

They should just come up with a 30/50/70mph button you can hit like a pitlane speed limiter so you would never have to take your eyes off the road for a second while baby dodging

Kol · 16 Dec 2010 at 12:30

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
34 in a 30? - You could put that down to an under reading speedo FFS!
!

Genuine question, as I know you drive for a living, but how many cars have you experienced with an UNDER reading speedo?

Every car I have driven being both old classics to new cars have in my experience always over read, so for me to get caught at 34 my speedo would quite often be reading 40ish.

Hence why I merrily set cruise control for 55mph on my car through 50mph SPECS cameras as according to a variety of units have confirmed I'm still only toddling along at 50...

dannyjo22 · 16 Dec 2010 at 12:34

Mine at 34 would be reading 37/38 if the sat nav is to be believed :confused:

mattyfez · 16 Dec 2010 at 12:37

If there is no reg. No. On the ticket, I would certainly do some reading about that, surely you will be able to wriggle out of it...

Howard · 16 Dec 2010 at 13:46

dannyjo22 said:
Some cars I've had would be easy to keep at a constant 30 others not so. It's not so much constant staring to keep the speed constant more constant checking to make sure.

They should just come up with a 30/50/70mph button you can hit like a pitlane speed limiter so you would never have to take your eyes off the road for a second while baby dodging

Can't say I ever have had a problem maintaining a constant speed. I can pretty much accelerate up to around 30 without looking at my speedo anyway.

Podmonkey · 16 Dec 2010 at 14:02

What a tool. Pretty much sounds like he was lying to make you feel better (i.e. happens to everyone) that he was giving you a ticket for such a petty speed or he was telling the truth and is infact just getting revenge on everyone else who goes 1mph over the speed. Definite jobsworth though, should have pushed him over then teabagged him, at least then it would justify a fine and some points.