Speed camera in Brighton

Cardelia

I was in Brighton last night, heading south on the A23 (next to Preston Park for those who know the area) and went past a speed camera. I knew it was there so I made sure I did not go over the 30 limit, yet I still got flashed. Has anyone else been flashed by this camera despite knowing they weren't speeding and if so, did they get a ticket through the post?

Soot2006

I know a few people who have been flashed & fined both there at at the Woodingdean one, when they swear they never went over 30. My landlord got a fine for doing "32" mph - didn't even know it was possible to calibrate a camera that precisely? I don't think he had to pay it in the end, but can't remember the whole story as was several years ago ...

TiTheRev

Sometimes you can set the camera off from the other side of the road, maybe someone was speeding the other side of the road. Ive been caught there myself, 36 in a 30 a friend in the police says they apparently calibrate them to allow 10% plus 2mph, so at 35 i'd have been ok!

It may also be that your speedo is faulty? Just a thought...?

vikingaero

Some speed cameras run a random test flash cycle and you probably drove through at that moment.

martindow

If you do get a ticket for this, the two photos and the lines painted on the road should determine your exact speed. As has been said it may be that your speedo is misreading.

TiTheRev

Preston Park area can be a bit of a speedway with cars going 2 abreast, so I guess they might set it off occasionally to discourage those attempting it later at night?!

bargepole

All the speculation about this is rather academic, until and unless the OP gets a Notice of Intended Prosecution. This has to be sent to the Registered Keeper within 14 days of the alleged offence.

There's another camera at a site near this in Brighton, on Ditchling Road, which zapped someone at 38mph, and it was later proved in Court, and accepted by the prosecution, that they couldn't have been doing more than 32. So don't take their "evidence" as gospel.

TiTheRev

How on earth could anyone proof they couldn't have been doing more than 32???

iB1

I'm not sure if it's folklore or not, but I've heard that some cameras, when they are out of film, flash just once (in the case of a GATSO) at much lower speeds than they would normally - so maybe at 32mph instead of 36. Don't take this as Gospel though!

bargepole

TiTheRev wrote: »

How on earth could anyone proof they couldn't have been doing more than 32???

The Gatso camera produces two photographs, taken 0.5 seconds apart, showing the vehicle travelling across the gridlines. These photos are meant to corroborate the radar speed measured by the camera, and if it's more than 10% different, the evidence should be discarded.

In this case, the defendant obtained prints, measured the gridlines, and a photographic analysis expert demonstrated to the court that the camera was inaccurate.

Tozer

I didn't think cameras could zap cars on the other side of the road as there was a concern of the flash being directed right at them.