Help Please...

[guysh]

I have recieved a letter from Hampshire Constabulary Claiming that they sent me a letter over four weeks ago which related to an ''alleged traffice offence'' (I never received such a letter) It says that the previous letter legally required me to supply details of the driver of my car - (it doesn''t say when or where so how I''m supposed to know what there on about I don''t know) It goes on to say that by not supplying the details I will be commiting an offence and this will supercede the ''alleged traffice offence'' and cannot be dealt with through fixed penalty procedures, a court appearance is therefore probable. The offence carries a maximum fine of £1000, endorsement and possible disqualification. Now obviously I''m going to ring them up later on today and ask them what the hell there on about. But does anyone have any advice???

[guysh]

Ok I rang up the phone number and have been told, by what I assume was a civilain, that my car was recorded doing 36 mph in a 30 limit on the 2nd of June on the I.W. by a 'lastech' mobile camera. She said that driver ID form will be re-sent out and when it has been the required reply time will be reset - any ideas? On another note I've heard about these camera's having to be Calibrated every time they are setup and have to have a certificate to prove that they have been calibrated, does anyone know anything about this? Edited by guysh on Monday 23 July 09:04

[apache]

I've had one of these and read all the small print, it is a very unfair system because it puts you at the mercy of the postal service and makes you guilty till proved innocent. I very much doubt you will get the full fine as it must happen all the time

[mel]

It might also be worth dropping into conversation a recent Newspaper article that said about 40% of 1st class post failed to arrive next day and about 10% never arrives at all. Apparently this was being blamed on the Royal Mail policy of employing temporary and agency staff on a day to day basis who lacked any loyalty or commitment and very often just dumped their post!!!!! Unfortunately though legally if it's posted 1st class it is still deemed as having been delivered, regardless of if the Kosovan refugee on the round threw it all in a hedge.

[john robson]

Laser speed detection equipment is calibrated every 6 months and this is recorded. Up until earlier this year every time we took it out we would check the sight alignment and then check the calibration by getting a colleague in a traffic car with calibrated speedo to do a drive through, this would also be recorded in the evidence. This has now changed as it has been accepted, at long last that if the device is faulty it does not work. The only check that the officer now has to do is the sight check. Advice, if it was you driving reply and take the provisional offer usually 3pts and £60. If it wasn't you fill in the details and the real offender gets done. Ignore it and you get done 3pts and a bigger fine plus costs for failing to disclose driver details