Speeding - by being followed

gjm1168

Hi all,

New to the forum so apologies if this has been asked before but I can't find anything.

I was stopped by Nottinghamshire police (two in the vehicle) who issued with me with a yellow slip that has the words NOTICE OF INTENDED PROSECUTION about two thirds of the way down for apparently doing 47 in a 40. The NIP states that this was determined by me having been followed for 0.4 (zero point four) miles.

I'm given to understand that having a fellow office in the police vehicle constitutes corroboration of the original officers alleged claim but I have a few questions questions:
1) is the speedo - or whatever equipment - in the police vehicle that accurate and provably so?
2) is 0.4 miles sufficient enough distance to claim I was speeding and again is the equipment accurate enough?
3) is this 'evidence' retained in order to take to Court should I contest the matter?

Cheers all,

Graham.

Minrich

1,2,3 all Yes

Don't bother to contest it .

[Deleted User]

better to ask on Pepipoo.com to get an unbiased opinion.

Iceweasel

I think that you would be wasting your time, but you could find out when their speedo was last checked/calibrated.

See here:

SPEED DETECTION USING CALIBRATED SPEEDOMETER
FITTED TO PATROL VEHICLE

This type of check, commonly known as the "follow check" has been used by police forces for a number of years and is readily accepted by the courts and motoring public alike.

MEANS OF CHECK

The patrol vehicle ideally should be fitted with a certified calibrated speedometer which is regularly tested in accordance with Force instructions.

The checking vehicle should be positioned to the rear of the suspected offending vehicle so as to maintain, throughout the check, an even distance between the vehicles.

Speedometer readings should be taken throughout, preferably related to readily identifiable points passed.

MINIMUM DISTANCE

It is the view of ACPO Traffic, the recommended minimum distance for such a check be 2/10 of a mile.

SPEEDOMETER ACCURACY

The patrol vehicle speedometer should be checked for accuracy at the end of a tour of duty after detection of an offending vehicle. This will be in accordance with Force instructions utilising either certified measured distances or a rolling road type device. The speeds for the check being comparable with the speeds the subject of the report (within the 70 mph barrier) and be within + or - 2 miles per hour.

Goodluck.

esuhl

Just pay up and don't break the law in future.

Richard53

Quite refreshing to be caught in the traditional way. This was how we all got done before the introduction of fancy Gatsos and the like. Very old-school, somehow more sporting than an automatic camera.


It's easy to miss a hidden camera, but driving over the limit for half a mile with a police car up your chuff means you weren't really paying attention. Unless you can prove that the device was improperly calibrated, you have no chance of getting off. They will have heard every excuse going.

matttye

Were you speeding? If yes, don't bother challenging it because it will be far more expensive than admitting it and you'll still be convicted.

If you weren't speeding, I would still consider pleading guilty because you're likely to be convicted.

Johno100

47 in a 40, sounds like they were bored and 'playing snooker'.

forgotmyname

0.4 of a mile doesnt sound much but maybe they spotted you before that and only timed you the 0.4 miles and the 47mph may have been under stated.

One of the HGV drivers got a ticket for doing 50mph when he should have been doing 40mph (pre speed changes).
His tacho showed he was doing 56mph which is calibrated and very accurate.

They do allow some margin of error which they probably gave you when they said you were doing 47.

If you goto court and lose which is highly likely it will cost you much more.

bigjl

gjm1168 wrote: »

Hi all,

New to the forum so apologies if this has been asked before but I can't find anything.

I was stopped by Nottinghamshire police (two in the vehicle) who issued with me with a yellow slip that has the words NOTICE OF INTENDED PROSECUTION about two thirds of the way down for apparently doing 47 in a 40. The NIP states that this was determined by me having been followed for 0.4 (zero point four) miles.

I'm given to understand that having a fellow office in the police vehicle constitutes corroboration of the original officers alleged claim but I have a few questions questions:
1) is the speedo - or whatever equipment - in the police vehicle that accurate and provably so?
2) is 0.4 miles sufficient enough distance to claim I was speeding and again is the equipment accurate enough?
3) is this 'evidence' retained in order to take to Court should I contest the matter?

Cheers all,

Graham.

As already said yes to all.

There is also the possibility they have it recorded. Especially as they actually said the distance was 0.4miles.

ChiefGrasscutter

Given that car's uncalibrated speedo's over read and are allowed to by up to 10% then if they say you were doing 47 then your indicated speed on your speedo will have been around the 50mph mark.