Safe Speed: Speed guns - crisis of confidence

Wednesday, 24, Jan 2007 12:00

The case of Brian Wiltshire, acquitted today at Preston Crown Court is indicative of a crisis of confidence in speed cameras and Police procedure, says Safe Speed.

Commenting on the case, Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign (www.safespeed.org.uk) said: "Speed cameras are causing a crisis of confidence in the Police, in official road safety and in British justice. We're seeing more and more people challenge needless allegations of speeding, and more and more of them seem to be successful."

"The most common response from motorists to receiving a speeding fine seems to

be: 'why me? I was driving safely!' - and in nearly ever case we believe that the motorists are right. The authorities need to distinguish between technical offences of exceeding an arbitrary speed limit and risky driving. They are not the same and speed cameras cannot tell the difference. Prosecuting safe drivers is a waste of resources and is causing a crisis of confidence."

"Laser speed meters do make 'mistakes' - I've seen them with my own eyes. It all adds to the crisis of confidence and the Home Office must withdraw them."