This must have cropped up before, but search brought nothing.

While driving yesterday I came across a police traffic car parked at the side of the road. On the back parcel shelf facing me was a small 'thing' which I can only asume was a camera.

Now then, if it was I can only asume I was caught speeding (even though I would have guessed they would have pulled me). Only problem with this is that I am out of the country for a month in a few weeks time. If this does come through is there anything I can do to keep my licence until I get back and then put on the points?

It might just have been for that system that recognises number plates and checks if the car is stolen / uninsured.

If it was a traffic car, chances are they would have pulled you there and then. What did the device on the back parcel shelf look like and how fast were you going? You obviously didn't draw their attention!

Chris

Thats the other thing I was thinking, maybe the number plate camera thingy.

The device (although it was at a distance and I was travelling at speed) was tiny, and sort of dome shaped I would say about an inch and half high - I have never seen anything like it before, as around here they usually park side on with the laser gun out the window. I have no idea how fast I was going, I would say around 50 (its a 40).

I am now kicking myself because although the road was clear and empty, there have been a few kids killed down there recently so it was expected to have cameras down there.

Now then, if it was I can only asume I was caught speeding

Obviously, I'm not suggesting you incriminate yourself here, but how speedy is 'speeding'? Were you on a normal A-road with a 60 limit, or was there a lower limit? Assuming it was a 60 limit, most police forces will only pursue a prosecution if you were exceeding the limit by 10%+2mph (i.e. over 68 in this case). Bearing in mind your speedo will over-read by 5% or more as well, you ought to get away with it as long as your speedo was reading on the right side of 70*. Unless you were in North Wales, in which case you will have already been chased down and killed by the Chief Constable in a Mad Max stylee**. And since you're on here posting, I assume that hasn't happened!

Personally, my money's on it being an ANPR camera too. If it were a speed camera, the vehicle should have been marked, or there will have had to have been speed camera signs (permanent or temporary) on the approach...

*I mention this as a point of fact; I'm not suggesting you judge your speed on anything other than what the speed tells you.

**Perhaps. If certain motoring journalists are to be believed!

Personally, my money's on it being an ANPR camera too. If it were a speed camera, the vehicle should have been marked, or there will have had to have been speed camera signs (permanent or temporary) on the approach...

Ditto on the ANPR.

Plus I seem to recall something about traffic police needing to pull you over to issue tickets, rather than recording them and posting them out like fixed and mobile speed cameras. Was a few years ago and I read it on the internet though, so not sure how true that is...

Rob.

Plus I seem to recall something about traffic police needing to pull you over to issue tickets

IIRC, it's because the mobile/fixed cameras are generally operated by civilians who don't have the authority to prosecute on the spot?

Chris

IIRC, it's because the mobile/fixed cameras are generally operated by civilians who don't have the authority to prosecute on the spot?

That might be it...though I guess that would mean trafpol *could* record images for later prosecution then? :confused:

Rob.

OTOH, maybe it's just a VIDEO camera. They've got to get the footage for 'Police, Camera, Action!' from somewhere?!?

Also bear in mind that most speedos show a higher speed than actual ( mine on the Octy is 5 mph faster than actual , have checked this with GPS ) ONLY A THOUGHT .

I wouldn't worry if it was a traffic car... I had similar on a m/way, when I was playing (and loosing) with a porsche... we both saw the car and slowed (he was in a designate police ramp) and he didn't seem to think we were misbehaving enough or going fast enough for him to bother with....

same happened on an empty M6 when I passed a traffic car.. (indicted 85 GPS 77) (kilometers per hour officer!)

he also didn't think I was misbehaving enough to bother with.... note: I kept within the 10% +3mph bit!)

I reiterate... more traffic cops with ANPR and less camera vans!!!

same happened on an empty M6 when I passed a traffic car.. (indicted 85 GPS 77) (kilometers per hour officer!)

lol, same thing happened to me. I passed a panda car (who was doing bang on 70), at around 77/78 on the GPS, slowly started to pull away when suddenly he floored it and overtook me, pulled back in and slowed to a perfect 70. I was not impressed :(

I'm hoping ag0gee is correct, 'lunatic skoda driver, caught speeding at 50 in 40 zone...' :eek:

Plus, surely any camera would have to be in the open and not through the rear window? If you look at all the camera vans when they are in operation, they either have the side door open or a window flapped up and the camera poking out.

Cops cars round our way have ANPR fitted on the car roof and they look like a small floodlight you would fit in your back garden.

What you saw was probably the coppers helmet ( oo er misses ;-) )

I know nothing I'm just thinking timing here. Aren't they meant to issue a speeding fine or NIP within 28 days (or whatever)? Just wondering if you wouldn't still be around anyway, if you say "in a few weeks"? Does that make sense to anyone?

Mo

IIRC the ticket must come within 14 days with 28 days to respond, only problem with that is that, the 28 days will land withing my holiday unless it comes next week and I can get it all over with before I go.

It definatly wasn't a helmet. The more I think of it the more I think it can't have been a speed camera, and even if it was they would have pulled me if they wanted to...but then again...

I think even if you did get an NIP and were unable to respond in sufficient time you will have good enough mitigation to sort things out.

I think you ae OK.

For clarification post the question on 5ive-o keep it factual as theres no option to edit posts on several of the forums. there are a lot of police & magistrates who post & are ery helpful on legal maters

IIRC the ticket must come within 14 days with 28 days to respond, only problem with that is that, the 28 days will land withing my holiday unless it comes next week and I can get it all over with before I go.

It definatly wasn't a helmet. The more I think of it the more I think it can't have been a speed camera, and even if it was they would have pulled me if they wanted to...but then again...

NOIP( notice of intended prosecution) must get to Registered Keeper within 14 days ,with 28 to respond,naming driver.

Camera on rear shelf -against ACPO guidelines to use speed camera through window --could it have been a video camera so that they had some record of any naughties if they pulled you. Mostly from info in other places Trafpol stop to either educate or dish out a ticket.

NOIP( notice of intended prosecution) must get to Registered Keeper within 14 days ,with 28 to respond,naming driver.

Is this still true? I remember reading that the police only needed to prove it had been posted, and didn't care about the receipt (for example the registered keeper might bin it, etc)?

Chris

NOIP( notice of intended prosecution) must get to Registered Keeper within 14 days ,with 28 to respond,naming driver.

I thought they had to merely send it out within 14 days? With Royal Mail, it should arrive on about day 17 or so at the latest.