The Car, the SpeedCamera and the Detector
Written by man on June 27th, 2009 in Other.
All about Speed Cameras.
UK speed camera laws are often confusing and they allow for quite a bit of concern to those who may be living in a region with these cameras. The initial consideration should be to what are they? All over the UK you will find that councils have been working with Police to deploy cameras in specific locations for monitoring purposes.
These cameras are designed to pick up on any and all motorists using the streets. The goal is simple. Anyone going through the area is monitored on the camera. If an individual is speeding, the cameras capture the individual’s identification on the vehicle and within a matter of minutes, automatically generates a fine.
Premise Good But Often Questioned
UK speed camera design makes quite a bit of sense. At the end of the day, if you break the law, then you should be fined. The cameras are installed for various benefits. For example, the cameras may keep motorists from speeding up, and rather to have them slowing down through the busy intersections throughout the area. The reality is that the cameras reduce the likelyhood of Road Traffic Accidents as motorists will, more often than not, slow down.
There are various reports on both sides of the issue here stating that the cameras did work or even that they do not work to accomplish improved safety. Individuals must draw their own conclusions about the appropiateness of UK speed cameras for themselves. Some individuals believe that the laws of the land should prevent these cameras from being used as well. The reasoning is quite simple. And it stands to reason that if the organisation cannot provide evidence to substantiate the allegation then they should not be able to persecute or fine the person.
Writing Letters On Your Behalf
Because of all of the issues with UK speed camera law, or confusion about how legal these laws are, many people have determined that they should fight them. One way in which they are doing so is by penning a few letters to the authorities issuing the fine. The only reason for the letters, and the reason for being proffessional at all times, is the simple request for proof.
The first letter, in what can consist of many letters, should be sent back to the authorities after a fine is received. The first thing to do is send this off as soon as you receive the notice. The only reason for writing this letter is to keep yourself out of the argument. As a result, the accused need sto make the indivudal representing the offence, argue the case before a magistrate. To avoid this circumstance occuring, the first letter is a conditional agreement that accepts the offence was committed. What is important here is the condition of acceptance. If they can meet your condition, you will pay their fine. The condition is proof of the claim or verification of the incident occurring. You are within your rights to request such a claim. It is not unreasonable to expect the legal system to provide that notice, and the outcome here can be taken into consideration. Always send the letter by registered mail, so that the letter has to be signed for - this may be needed by you as evidence on what you have done.
Dependent upon the organisation, the outcome from the letters will vary. For example, in some cases, you may receive a phone call from the police after the letter is sent. It is essential to be courteous if you receive a phone call. Never take verbal direction from the Police over the phone, and always request confirmation in writing. Never get into a verbal dialogue about the circumstances.
There are other letters that may be written, to further request additional information and clarification on the behalf of the individual. To obtain clarity in the allegation, letters can be used to validate any misunderstandings. The individual is simple being polite and courteous whilst asking for proof of the incidents occurrence.
If this is a first offense, or the tenth, the individual has the legal right to be shown proof of their actions.
What Is The Benefit?
What is the benefit of sending such letters? If you are the claimant then by law you have the right to request evidence to backup the allegations to develop your defence. You are within your rights, certainly in the UK, to demand proof or eveidence of the allegation. The real reason behind the letter writing is to avoid the court case. These may not actually work, and the individual may still get fined, but not end up in court.
If you are still requested to go to court, the requests of the individual can be used as evidence of non-cooperation from the local authority and police. The individual will have copies of the letters that will advise, very clearly and proffesionally, the need for the information.
Summing Up
UK speed camera laws are often misunderstood or even not clearly defined. For reasons of this nature, you find that people take the opportunity to protect and fight them. There are many people out there who continue to challenge the appropiateness of speed cameras, and do not want the big brother attitude, and will always use these letters to challenege the accusations. It goes without saying that individuals should abide by the laws throughout this process.
To find out more information about Speed Cameras, please visit Speed Cameras.
