Does community speed watch scheme work

Celia_Fogden

I received a not particularly gentle letter warning of a £100 fine and 3 points, felt stressed, correspondence to and fro, me not knowing what the procedure is and, above all, worry that I will be fined unfairly. Not good! I certainly don't think you can say "so what?" when someone is wrongly accused of breaking the law with no evidence and no explanation.

AdrianC

There is evidence - and the police deemed that evidence (gathered by trained operators of approved and calibrated equipment) sufficient to justify a warning letter to you.

There is no prosecution, so the evidence does not have to be up to a court's standard.


The letter, I'm sure, explained that any similar infraction in the future could lead to a fixed penalty of £100/3pt. But you already knew that, right...? If anything, they're being gentle - since that's the absolute minimum and a sufficiently serious speeding offence could lead to a court date and a much stiffer penalty, with a maximum of £1,000 and six points.

If you genuinely don't think you were exceeding the speed limit, then you may wish to reflect on whether you may have misunderstood the limit in any given area. If you weren't, then you have no need to fear a prosecution.

If you ever do receive a penalty that you think is "unfair", then you can challenge it in a court, and have the evidence tested by the usual rules and to the usual standard.

Car_54

Celia_Fogden wrote: »

I received a not particularly gentle letter warning of a £100 fine and 3 points, felt stressed, correspondence to and fro, me not knowing what the procedure is and, above all, worry that I will be fined unfairly. Not good! I certainly don't think you can say "so what?" when someone is wrongly accused of breaking the law with no evidence and no explanation.

The letter most probably said something to the effect that "the driver of vehicle AB12CDE was reported ... at location X at time HHMM on day DDMMYYY"


If you were indeed a victim of mistaken identity, then you were not that driver, and so are not being accused.



In any event, you cannot be convicted with no evidence.

Celia_Fogden

It isn't a question of whether I was exceeding a speed limit. I wasn't even there, wherever there is, and neither was my car. They haven't even had the courtesy to tell me where they think I was, except to name the town! I had a hairdresser's appontment that day, went to the hairdresser, was there most of the afternoon and drove home again. The town they named is 30 - 40 miles away in another county and not a place I can remember ever visiting. I had to get the map out to see where it is! I have asked for evidence but I don't know what evidence to expect them to provide? Is it photographic or just a handwritten note on some list?

Celia_Fogden

That is a bit reassuring. They haven't given a time of day. Nor a specific location. They said the vehicle was monitored doing 47 mph in a 40 mph limit "in Pewsey". I know it wasn't because the car was with me throughout the day. Maybe someone had a dirty number plate and it was mis-read? If so, they should apologise. I told them the colour make and model of my car in case that helps them identify an error. There is no phone number given so I can't even have a conversation with someone!

AdrianC

Speedwatch is simply written, AIUI.

Perhaps somebody did mis-read the plate. Perhaps your car has a clone.

Either way, if you weren't there, then it's all irrelevant to you unless and until it turns out that you do have a clone gathering tickets.

AndyMc.....

Celia_Fogden wrote: »

I received a not particularly gentle letter warning of a £100 fine and 3 points, felt stressed, correspondence to and fro, me not knowing what the procedure is and, above all, worry that I will be fined unfairly. Not good! I certainly don't think you can say "so what?" when someone is wrongly accused of breaking the law with no evidence and no explanation.

So what do you want?

Celia_Fogden

An explanation. An apology. Above all, to have faith that I can trust the system and people aren't being fined and/or put through the mill when they are completely innocent!


The OP asked, in effect, if they should be concerned. On the basis of my experience to date I would say "Yes". As far as I'm concerned, it's a system run by volunteers and at the moment, the jury's out as to whether it is fair and properly run.

AdrianC

Getting one letter that clearly doesn't actually apply to you (due to date/location) is hardly "put through the mill", is it?

AndyMc.....

Celia_Fogden wrote: »

An explanation. An apology. Above all, to have faith that I can trust the system and people aren't being fined and/or put through the mill when they are completely innocent!


The OP asked, in effect, if they should be concerned. On the basis of my experience to date I would say "Yes". As far as I'm concerned, it's a system run by volunteers and at the moment, the jury's out as to whether it is fair and properly run.

They've made an error it happens deal with it. You've had one letter warning you if you're caught speeding by the real police you could be prosecuted. You already knew that.