Topic: Its all going wrong!

[ifizzy]

Sometimes I got to do the right thing and take the pain.
Ive got away with worse than that ...... its swings and roundabouts at the end of the day.
I will be pleading for my license and I am attempting to re-educate myself

[HellsBells]

here fizz a little info for you, hope its of help

Just a little note sent to me from a Traffic Officer."If Vascar is used correctly the margin of error is presumed to be the same at either end of the check.
The Home Office allows a percentage of error for the overall check and this built into the operating procedure. Each and every police officer undergoes an intensive training course to establish their margin of error. If it falls within the guide lines then it is "acceptable". So don't go using the info below unless you can prove your case without doubt."


Extract from USA Law Paper

VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer and Recorder) is really a stopwatch coupled with a calculator. Once a distance is entered, the operator pushes a button to start then stop the stopwatch. VASCAR displays the speed calculated from the distance entered and the time measured.

Thus, a VASCAR measurement depends on human input. Therefore, in order to make a VASCAR measurement as accurate as possible, the observer's/operator's reaction time must be as short as possible. (Reaction time is defined as "the time interval between an input signal (physiological) or a stimulus (psycho physiological) and the response elicited by the signal.)

What is considered "normal" human reaction time? First, let's take a look at the best: Drag racers. Average reaction time of (Top Fuel) drag racers at the 1997 U.S. Nationals was 0.124 ± 0.082 second. Imagine that our cop running VASCAR is a super cop, with drag racer like reaction times: What kind of error is introduced into the VASCAR speed measurement by a reaction time of 0.124 second? With the numbers testified to by our cop:

Distance ÷ Real time ± Error = Measured Speed
100 ÷ 1.54 + 0.124= 60.096 feet/second (40.97 mph)
or
100 ÷ 1.54 - 0.124= 70.621 feet/second (48.15 mph)
Depending on whether the cop was 0.124 second too quick or too late.
The calculation above takes into consideration only one opportunity for error.

However, the cop must not only start the VASCAR's stopwatch, but he also must stop it. Thus, he can introduce the error twice:
100 ÷ 1.54 + 0.248= 55.928 feet/second (38.13 mph)
or
100 ÷ 1.54 - 0.248= 77.399 feet/second (52.77 mph)
Looks like we are getting some error margin here: it is almost 15 mph. But wait a minute: the cop alleged that he clocked our man 66 mph (96.8 feet/second).

If true, the elapsed time over 100 feet distance was 1.033 second. The error in speed reading introduced by human reaction time becomes even more severe:
100 ÷ 1.033 + 0.248= 78.064 feet/second (53.225 mph)
or
100 ÷ 1.033 - 0.248= 127.388 feet/second (86.855 mph)

WOW! An error margin of more than 33 mph! And remember we assumed that the super cop in this example has reaction times similar to a drag racer!

Imagine if the cop is only human: Average adults show reaction times around 0.3 second -- it's not even worthwhile to do the calculation. Obviously, we can no longer talk about accuracy and VASCAR in the same sentence. One can conclude that using VASCAR over a 100-foot distance cannot yield any accurate speed reading for the speeds alleged in our man's case. We come to this conclusion even before considering other sources of error, such as visual distortion introduced by the parallax effect.

A little note though UK Police don't take a reading over this distance, theirs is greater, so the reading could be more accurate.

[scorps]

still if ya behave and dont speed you wont get this '>

[HellsBells]

Oh hail saint Colin '>

[ifizzy]

It wasnt that I was going fast it was that the road that was stationary. '>

Thanks HB Ill have a couple of gallons of medicinal Guinness and try to work that out  

[ifizzy]

Done a little digging on the internet to guage what might happen on the day.
Heres a reply from an internet lawyer thingy-bob.


Thanks for the Road Reckoner question. The guidance given below is given
using (amongst other things) the Magistrates Court Sentencing Guidelines
2000, and should not be regarded as anything more than a guideline to the
maximum, minimum or possible sentence that may be imposed. The court will
always take into account all the factors surrounding the case, and the
people involved, when making their judgment.

The maximum penalty for speeding on a motorway is a £2,500 fine and, either
3-6 points on your licence, or a disqualification.

Given your speed the court will probably be considering an immediate ban of
2-4 months and a fine of around £450. You should emphasise the positive
aspects of the incident which may be dry road, clear road, short time at
speed etc, plus the effect a ban would have on you, your family and your
job, and then invite the court to deal with the matter by way of a fine and
points on your licence.

Should you decide that you would like to consult a solicitor for advice
and/or representation we have a panel of specialist solicitors who may be
able to assist you. They offer a unique fixed fee legal advice and
representation service. You can find details here -
www.lawontheweb.co.uk/motoringfixedfee.htm. Just let us know and we will
pass your mail on.

Alternatively you can always discuss your situation with one of our panel of
specialist motoring law solicitors on the telephone for a fixed fee of £40.
Check out our page at www.lawontheweb.co.uk/motoringfixedfeetel.htm.

If you decide to go it alone then you may find that our new DIY Guide for
Motorists in the Magistrates Court may prove to be a useful read -
www.lawontheweb.co.uk/motoringguide.htm.

Hope this helps. Thanks for using LAW on the WEB.

LAW on the WEB
www.lawontheweb.co.uk
Yell UK Web Award Winner 2000
The information provided above is by way of guidance only and does not
constitute legal advice. It does not negate the need to seek specialist help
from professionals before taking, or not taking any action.

[Matt zx9]

Tracey636 got away with (I think) 6 points and no ban for something like 130mph on a motorway (if anyone remembers more accurately than me (particularly Tracey) then feel to correct me). That was by an exceptional bit of pleading to the magistrate etc etc.

So basically you're looking at a ban, lots of points and big fine - now the challenge is to get it down as far as you can by playing their 'upstanding citizen' game.

Small ban, some points, medium fine is probably the target.