So I was crawling past the local camera at about 30 in the vectra, passed the lines then speeded up a bit maybe hit about 34mph on the speedo (which is out 4mph at 70 vs GPS) cos I was distracted

- in my rear view mirror I see it flash and there was no one behind me or on the other side of the road so I guess it musta been me?

I was well past the lines and can't have been more than 2mph over... can I get done?

 

that doesnt sound right.

4 miles over is still below the flash point.

If they do get you done ask for photo proof and if it shows something silly like 32/33 then argue it.

 

How many times did it flash?

If it was only once don't worry about it, as they need two photos to work out your distance travelled.

Also you seem very sure about what speed you were doing, and you knew there was a camera there so it sounds like the camera just fired one off by accident, which I have heard does happen.

 

If you know you were well past the lines on the road then don't worry .....

If you know you were only a couple of mph over - literally - then don't worry ....


They can and do go wrong and flash at odd times but I would guess if this one hasn't and you know what you are saying is 100% right then it may have an over enthusiastic 'dummy' unit in it. These apparently flash more often (to frighten people I guess!) and are nowhere near as accurate.

 

You won't get a photo showing 32/33 ....

 

If you were past the lines no, someone actually managed to log himself traveling at over 100mph on foot in a courtroom with a GATSO. The lines are required to determine accuracy.

I was concerned about the same thing so investigated it quite thoroughly, you will be fine, EVEN if you get a NIP you should request the photo evidencea and if you're not on the lines dispute it - it will go nowhere .

 

My dads mate got done for 32....

 

Jo,

Where was that ? Not being funny but have you seen the paperwork ? It is below ACPO guidelines by 10%. Whilst only guidelines they tend to follow them. I'm assuming you mean in a 30 limit of course and not a 20.

From what I have been told by people in the know you should not get a ticket for just over - i.e. 32. People say they have been done at 31/32 as it is easy to have a go at the authorities (not difficult anyway) or when it's a bit more (doesn't have to be much mind!) and they 'round' it down a few mph as it sounds better.

If we really have reached the time when the thickness of a speedo needle is that important then it is a very sad day

 

I know they did that a long time ago and last year did it on the M4 near swindon, Alas the guidelines are just that but if it was a GATSO you should have had no trouble arguing that it's not accurate enough to determine 2mph over the limit.

Sucks tho.

 

I understand there were some authorities that tried the 'zero tolerance' approach - I suspect it was eventually ruled illegal.

It is not the thickness of the speedo needle that's the problem, more of those with political vanities...