IMPOSSIBLE ''EVIDENCE'' FROM LASER SPEED METER
16 February 2005 - Safe Speed

The Press and Journal reports today an Inverness court case where alleged evidence from a laser speed meter was shown to be impossible. Safe Speed calls for urgent action to preserve public confidence.

The Police evidence was based on laser speed meter reading of 131mph presented in support of a charge of dangerous driving, but the car was an import still fitted with Japanese market speed limiter.

Engineers tested the car and found that it was incapable of exceeding 107mph. When the court was presented with this evidence they returned a ''not proven'' verdict.

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign
(www.safespeed.org.uk) commented: ''We hear many complaints about laser speed meter evidence, but it is very unusual for the accused driver to be able to demonstrate that his speed was anything other than that claimed by the Police. The courts usually convict, but unusual cases like this prove the point that laser speed meter evidence can be unreliable.''

''Confidence in speed enforcement is already low,'' explains Paul, ''many people see speeding fines as nothing more than a stealth tax. This case will further damage public confidence. Over zealous speed enforcement has badly affected the relationship between the police and the public. Vital respect for Police is earned over decades and lost in minutes. Chief Constables please take note!''

Safe Speed demands either:

* a full explanation of the failure of the speed meter in this case or
* an immediate end to the use of laser speed meters in prosecutions

www.safespeed.org.uk

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