Safe Speed: How many motorists erroneously convicted in Kent?

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Wednesday, 10, Oct 2007 12:00

In a memo [1] leaked to MCN [2] Kent Police suspended speed enforcement based on laser speed meters.

In a statement issued this evening, Inspector Geoff Wood from Kent Police said:

"There is no problem with the use of laser speed guns. The court case revolved around a technical calibration issue which is being resolved. Police in the South Kent area are to recalibrate their laser speed guns."

The clear - and certain - implication is that laser speed meters have been in use in Kent while also failing to meet necessary legal calibration requirements. This means that a large but unknown number of motorists in Kent have been convicted - or paid fixed penalties - erroneously.

Paul Smith, founder of SafeSpeed.org.uk, said: "We demand that Kent Police immediately contact all those wrongfully convicted and refund them and remove points from their driving licences. Nothing less will do."

"Anyone who has lost their job or otherwise suffered as a result of an erroneous conviction will be entitled to substantial compensation."

"Far too often speed enforcement is sloppy. It has become a ridiculous game of cat and mouse where the authorities try to trap motorists who in turn are attempting to avoid the traps. The tragedy is that the original objective of safer roads was completely forgotten long ago."

"Speed cameras have proved to be a dangerous distraction. Far from making the roads safer, they are contributing to an increase in road dangers. We won't get road safety back on track until every last one has been scrapped."

Notes for editors

=================

The leaked memo:

http://www.safespeed.org.uk/mcnkent.gif

MCN article:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2007/October/october8-

14/oct0907policesuspenduseofalllaserspeedgunsandbanofficersfromexceeding100mph

or

http://tinyurl.com/2ktfla