Quote:
Originally Posted by
Black Dog
I'd like to know more about these 'bike catcher' things.
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It's such a simple concept,,, the camera vans have the usual laser guided front facing speed cameras that record you, and your speed, then as you pass the van, a small deploy-able camera captures your reg plate as you pass the van. Sometimes they put them in the same place they get your speed, sometimes at the front of the van, sometimes (in Gamblesby for instance, on the Heartside road) they record the registration before the offence.
To my knowledge, no one has defended a speeding conviction when these are used so I imagine they are pretty well solid as evidence.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Black Dog
I believe (and could be very wrong) that if you haven't been served the NIP within 14 days of the (alleged) offence, you are in the clear. That's probably an old wives' tale, but I hope you stay clean. Or cleanish
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No, you are correct. If they don't speak to you at the time, or by subsequent visit then they must issue a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days of the offence taking place. They can issue it on the 14th day, such that it may reach you on day 16, but they must be able to show they have acted correctly if there is any delay. Also the NIP only has to go to the recorded keeper in that time. So if it's a lease vehicle, and the leas company take 2 months to pass it on to you that's just tough!
In my case that latest they could have issued a NIP was Friday 1st, meaning it would land on my floor Saturday (2nd) or Monday (4th)... it didn't, and still hasn't.
I've no issue with speed cameras, after all they only capture you if you are speeding. I could have waited behind the munchkin, or taken another route, so it was a fair cop. Also in this case, if it had been a traffic car then the munchkin would probably had a careless or dangerous driving charge, which is something cameras don't do.
It also has to be said that the Safety Partnerships up here support BikeSafe, and it's the contributions from speeding motorists that help mean BikesSafe is free. Also, the Safety Partnership also contributes to the PassPluss courses meaning new driver only pay �50 towards it. (PassPluss is a post driving test course that covers Motorway driving, nighttime driving, overtaking etc). So given these good things they do, fining speeders is OK in my book....
Had I received the NIP, I would have paid up without any issues - after all, it was my right hand
