AU SPEED SCAMERAS FOUND TO BE "inherent unreliability"

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/08/09/252521_ntnews.html

Millions in fines now in doubt
NIGEL ADLAM   |  August 9th, 2011

ALL speeding fines imposed by Territory police in the past eight years are open to challenge following a major victory by a motorbike-owning tradie yesterday.

Steve Braddy, 57, was ready to fight three charges after being told by an expert that police radar equipment was not calibrated properly.

But police withdrew the complaints without explanation - and now face a big costs bill.

Barrister Jon Tippett QC said all speeding fines since new radars were introduced in 2003 were suspect.

"Millions of dollars of traffic fines have been imposed wrongly," he said.

"Many people have lost their licences - and often their occupations - because of outrageously bad practices."

Fellow barrister Peter Maley said police US-made fixed cameras:

•  WERE sometimes patched up with parts bought from Dick Smiths;
•  CONTAINED dangerously high levels of radiation;
•  HAD holes and cracks that let in water; and
•  WERE not properly sealed.

Mr Maley said police were not even using the correct manual to operate and maintain the cameras.

Mr Braddy decided to challenge police after copping his third speeding fine in a year.

Two of the penalties were imposed when he was riding his 1198 Ducati.

"Anybody in a special car or on a good bike is targeted," he said.

Mr Braddy, of Howard Springs, said he was convinced he was within the speed limit all three times.

"Most people just take the cheap way out and pay the fine," he said. "But I decided to do something about it."

He said the failure to calibrate speed cameras properly showed police were indulging in a revenue- raising exercise, rather than trying to force motorists to slow down.

Electronics engineer Joe Mulligan, who has worked with speed guns for 30 years, said there was "inherent unreliability" in the NT police speed testing and results.

He said Territory equipment had not been tested and certified as accurate under national standards.

Mr Mulligan said the police results were too good - they showed 100 per cent accuracy, which even the manufacturer said was impossible.
 

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Title
Comment	smaller | bigger
Name
Email
Write the displayed characters
Subscribe via email (registered users only)
	Add Comment Preview