Safe Speed Forums

I was pulled over in March 2006 and charged with doing 72mph in 50mph zone on the new strectch of link road between the M62 (east) and A1M (South) at Pontefract, West Yorkshire. I was surprised to have been pulled as I was naturally decelerating on the bend not aware of a speed limit change. It transpired that he had sat just the other side of the one and only speed limit change sign with his hand held and when I politly pointed out that if this was a safe conviction then it was to raise money he responded with "listen mate whilst agree with many of the things you have said I am merely one of Hitlers henchmen" !

Feeling a little agitated I took the decistion to drive back around the junction to discover the 50mph sign was just behind the directional marker so if you are checking what lane you need to be in you'll miss it. But whats more when you get to the point where the officer was sitting in his car there was only about 7 seconds of visible road before I would have passed him so I am convinced that he took a reading when I was in the 70mph zone as he was already pulling out when I passed him. I also understood that you have to be outside the vehicle to carry out these tests.

I have asked the CPS if the officer is allowed to take readings from in his car, on a bend, over 10 feet from carriageway and was site calibrated etc plus more but all I get back is that the officer says he used gun correctly and it was calibrated in April 2005 (11 months before).

Is there anyone who can advise if I am wasting my time as I feel that the CPS is happy to accept what the officer is saying even though they have answered no questions.

I have pre trial hearing on 19th September but feel I maybe wasting my time if there is no requiremnt for the Police to show it is a valid site and that the area was checked etc.

Here's hopin one you knows the answer

As you’ve not got long to go before your court appearance I’d get yourself over to the PePiPoo site. They’ll give you some sound advice.

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Useless laws weaken necessary laws.