Safe Speed Forums

Whilst driving down the A404 enjoying a nice leisurely drive and noticing that no other cars were on the road I decided to open the car up and have some fun… OK so far… I noticed a car on the verge at a slight angle – we are talking about 700m or so and not taking too much notice assumed that it was a dumped vehicle….. When I was getting closer I could see it was a small van, much like the old Maestro vans that odd job men used to drive but emblazoned on the back was POLICE… Uh oh… so I slowed down to 70mph hoping it was going to be enough distance to prevent a ticket… By this time it was about 400m and continued at 70mph – the speed for a dual carriageway…

When I was closer I noticed that one of the rear doors was actually a window. The person who I met for lunch said that the Police have a laser speed dectector that can catch a vehicle from over 600m away..

Now my questions are:

1. Is it true about the “Laser” detector or do they measure the speed of a vehicle when it goes past the Police van?

2. Can the Police prosecute when there are NO signs warning of Speed Cameras.

Anyway If anyone can help then I would appreciate it.

Welcome.

I moved this topic to the right forum.

Yes. They use laser speed meters.
Yes. They can measure speeds at 1,000m.

However, they don't routinely use their laser speed meters at more than about 3-400m because it's hard to hold it on the target at high distances.

If you're the registered keeper you will have to watch your post for 14 days. They have an obligation to inform the registered keeper (RK) via 'Notice of Intended Prosecution' (NIP) within 14 days. If you're not the RK it can take much longer.

If you do get a NIP, get over to http://www.pepipoo.com

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

Sometimes the police use vans with cameras in to read number plates only. This is to check for "wanted" vehicles. The do not read speed. These vans are less well marked. Was it in a speed camera "zone"? If not it may not have been a speed camera.

Yes they can put speed traps anywhere. These are not part of the Speed Camera Partnership and are very rare nowadays.

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Speed camera policy Kills

I missed this:



Yes.

_________________
Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

There has been a mobile unit on the A404 every day this week, I have just got a NIP through for doing 82 in a 70 from the same van on the same day as the previous poster, again, the dual carriageway was open and empty, made no difference. I would guess his is on the way aswell.

I did however find out that during the rush on the same morning that we were caught, this happened at the same place where the mobile van was two hours earlier !!!

I don'tknow if the van was there before the accident or moved as a response.

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/news/ ... artid=2188

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/news/ ... artid=2143

I feel for the family and this is a tragedy, but the I still dont feel that my 82mph was unreasonable taking into account of the conditions.

The report has no details and occured on a stretch of the road that usually has a 2 mile tail back at that time of the morning. Rather that stick the van there and catch anyone all day, all it would take is for a council worker to walk one mile down the road and bang in a sign that says "Warning queues likely ahead reduce speed now"

Would probably have saved his life.

Possible he ran into the back of the queue but the report says "The motorcycle left the road". More likely he was overtaking at speed and the LandRover pulled in front of him?

I just checked my NIP again, it was not the same day. I was caught before the accident.

I hope its a coincidence that the Police witness signs have appeared in EXACTLY the same spot that the van was parked, I mean to the nearest foot !!!

Everytime I see the van parked there, I see people slamming on their brakes on the dual carriageway. I did think it was only a matter of time.

I sincerely hope not but would not be suprised.