got caught speeding - query

Nocturne_sa · 10 Sep 2013 at 23:30

So I was caught doing 35 in a 30 by one of these gatso cameras and got a letter in the post. Filled it out and sent it via registered post more than 2 weeks ago but haven't heard anything since. Any idea how long it takes for them to request licence etc to add points and associated fine?

I've already been on the course in the last 2 years so that's not an option unfortunately.

Cheers

Biohazard · 10 Sep 2013 at 23:33

Have you checked to see if it was delivered?

I'd expect a conditional offer pretty quickly, but then anything can happen it seems.

Nocturne_sa · 10 Sep 2013 at 23:36

Biohazard said:
Have you checked to see if it was delivered?

I'd expect a conditional offer pretty quickly, but then anything can happen it seems.

yep it was delivered and signed for the next day

Biohazard · 10 Sep 2013 at 23:39

Their correspondence to you could have went missing, as unlikely as it may be.

If you are that concerned give the camera partnership a call and ask.

It's up to you. Or you could wait it out and see if you hear nothing, or get a court date. I'd actually risk not accepting any offer as I doubt you're going to get your day in court for 5mph in excess.

Nocturne_sa · 11 Sep 2013 at 12:43

any other thoughts/opinions on this please? Has anything similar happened to anyone?

RedvGreenOLD · 11 Sep 2013 at 12:50

That is a very tight limit to impose. Usually the accuracy is 10% +2 so you were dead on the minimum enforceable limit.

Freefaller · 11 Sep 2013 at 12:53

Not really - as to do a 'real' 35mph your speedo will probably be reading about 38 if not more - the 10%+2 is to cater for differences in speedometer calibrations. 10%+2 of 30mph is 35mph... so it's a fair cop really.

Nocturne_sa · 11 Sep 2013 at 12:54

RedvGreen said:
That is a very tight limit to impose. Usually the accuracy is 10% +2 so you were dead on the minimum enforceable limit.

so should I be hopeful that they have decided not to slap me with points and a fine given my speed? Seems unlikely as they have already issued me the intended prosecution letter.

I'm wondering if it will be overkill to chase them up....

AshD93 · 11 Sep 2013 at 12:55

RedvGreen said:
That is a very tight limit to impose. Usually the accuracy is 10% +2 so you were dead on the minimum enforceable limit.

In Leicester the limit is 33. From 33 to 37 you will be offered speed awareness. Above 37 is points with no option of the course.

RedvGreenOLD · 11 Sep 2013 at 12:59

Ultimately it is at the discretion of the Officer/Partnership but ACPO advisory limits were 35MPH in a 30MPH zone to compensate for speedo/vehicular variances.

I think it was 10% +7MPH for upper limit of Speed Awareness course (but this is also optional).

Gaygle · 11 Sep 2013 at 13:12

AshD93 said:
In Leicester the limit is 33. From 33 to 37 you will be offered speed awareness. Above 37 is points with no option of the course.

Ha, that's harsh, Suffolk's policy is 36-42 is speed awareness course eligible, 43-49 (iirc) is EFPN and 50+ is report to court.

alx · 11 Sep 2013 at 13:19

RedvGreen said:
That is a very tight limit to impose. Usually the accuracy is 10% +2 so you were dead on the minimum enforceable limit.

When I did my speed awareness course a few years ago the '+' part is optional and up to the county/area in question to decide whether they use it or not. So it's quite feasible to get done doing 34 in a 30 zone, pot luck basically.

Kenai · 11 Sep 2013 at 13:23

It's all optional guidance, they could ping you at 31 if they want but it would be counter productive to their perception (more so than already) and everyone would be challenging calibration etc.

div0 · 11 Sep 2013 at 13:42

Kenai said:
It's all optional guidance, they could ping you at 31 if they want but it would be counter productive to their perception (more so than already) and everyone would be challenging calibration etc.

This. There is no 'minimum' for which you can be prosecuted.

If you're over the limit, no matter how close, then you could be prosecuted for it.

The general rule of thumb is that the police won't attempt to pursue below about 10% + 2mph, but it is not a law, or even a 'rule'. It is just 'guideline' where the police are confident that they can secure a conviction if the case were to go to court. Anything below that guideline may be harder to prove once the defendant starts debating calibration, tolerances, etc.

As someone else has already pointed out, if they clocked you at 35mph, then it is likely that your speedo was reading slightly higher at the time, 36/37mph or so.

It is definitely not unusual for people to be clocked at 35mph in a 30 and to get charged.

AshD93 · 11 Sep 2013 at 15:25

Gaygle said:
Ha, that's harsh, Suffolk's policy is 36-42 is speed awareness course eligible, 43-49 (iirc) is EFPN and 50+ is report to court.

Its not the limits that annoy me. 10% is low but fair IMO. It's the way they hide and generally operate. Like they focus the lenses straight after a bend even if they're right at the other end of the road.

RedvGreenOLD · 11 Sep 2013 at 15:31

div0 said:
It is definitely not unusual for people to be clocked at 35mph in a 30 and to get charged.

Lowest i've heard (aside from Pistonheads and this forum) from word of mouth has been 36MPH; nice to see that ACPO guidelines are flexibly ignored!

I'd wager though, that the +2MPH could be contested against vehicle speedo or against hand-held speedo guns. Bit harder against (presumably) calibrated static kit.

lofz · 11 Sep 2013 at 15:33

The best way to avoid getting done for speeding is to not exceed the speed limit. I always do just below the speed limit especially in 30mph zones.

It can be frustrating at times but it is better than the alternative.

AshD93 · 11 Sep 2013 at 15:44

lofz said:
The best way to avoid getting done for speeding is to not exceed the speed limit. I always do just below the speed limit especially in 30mph zones.

It can be frustrating at times but it is better than the alternative.

I agree with that. It just ain't worth it around Leicester in the 30 zones. You end up hitting traffic at the lights normally.

Don't get me started about the ring road though...

markweatherill · 11 Sep 2013 at 15:56

lofz said:
I always do just below the speed limit especially in 30mph zones.

It can be frustrating at times

It's certainly true that speedometers can over-read, and one way of telling is when you get behind someone travelling at, or just below, the speed limit according to their car's speedometer ie travelling at a steady 27mph or so. Now that can be frustrating, albeit guaranteed to avoid speeding tickets.

Nocturne_sa · 11 Sep 2013 at 22:40

right I think the thread has gone a bit off track... I've been done and have already admitted to it.. question is what to do next.. should I hold out or chase them?