Swervin_Mervin
04-11-2005, 17:27
Message from SafeSpeed
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The following PR went out today at 11:40 this morning:
PR251: Motorists: you must see Tonight tonight
news: STRICT EMBARGO 12:01am Friday 4th November 2005
Tonight with Trevor Macdonald on ITV this evening (8pm ,all regions) has
crucial information for all motorists. Do not miss it.
The programme addresses motorists fighting back against misused and misapplied
laws. In particular and importantly it addresses problems with an extremely
commonplace laser speed meter.
The film will explain how easy it is for the equipment to give an erroneous
reading.
Safe Speed believes that errors in laser speed meter readings are commonplace.
When errors are commonplace the equipment has been proved to be incapable of
gathering evidence 'beyond a reasonable doubt' as required by law.
With at least 5 million motorists convicted using this equipment in the last
five years the stakes are sky high. Many will have suffered considerable
hardship - ranging from increased insurance premiums to loss of driving
licence. At the high end of the scale people will have lost their jobs and
their homes as a direct consequence.
Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign
(www.safespeed.org.uk) said: "I was present as an observer when the team from
Tonight with Trevor MacDonald were testing the LTI2020 laser speed meter. It
is clear to me that the equipment is unsuitable for obtaining legal evidence
against motorists because of the ease with which it can be confused."
"Clearly the Home Office did not adequately test the device before issuing
type approval. That type approval must now be withdrawn immediately. Pending
convictions must be dropped. The present situation is totally unacceptable."
"My advice to motorists is:
* Write to your MP demanding that type approval of the LTI2020 is suspended.
* See a solicitor if you have been accused or convicted based on laser speed
meter evidence.
* Challenge every ongoing case.
* Do not pay the fixed penalty ticket.
* If you have been convicted in the last five years, try to get the case re-
opened.
* If you have suffered losses because of faulty laser speed meter evidence
make a compensation claim."
<ends>
Notes for editors
=================
Tonight with Trevor MacDonald have repeated tests carried out by BBC 'Inside
Out' and The Daily Mail. The findings are always the same. The device makes
mistakes.
Tonight with Trevor MacDonald press enquiries:
===================================
This may now be forwarded anywhere. The embargo applies to broadcast and print media.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The following PR went out today at 11:40 this morning:
PR251: Motorists: you must see Tonight tonight
news: STRICT EMBARGO 12:01am Friday 4th November 2005
Tonight with Trevor Macdonald on ITV this evening (8pm ,all regions) has
crucial information for all motorists. Do not miss it.
The programme addresses motorists fighting back against misused and misapplied
laws. In particular and importantly it addresses problems with an extremely
commonplace laser speed meter.
The film will explain how easy it is for the equipment to give an erroneous
reading.
Safe Speed believes that errors in laser speed meter readings are commonplace.
When errors are commonplace the equipment has been proved to be incapable of
gathering evidence 'beyond a reasonable doubt' as required by law.
With at least 5 million motorists convicted using this equipment in the last
five years the stakes are sky high. Many will have suffered considerable
hardship - ranging from increased insurance premiums to loss of driving
licence. At the high end of the scale people will have lost their jobs and
their homes as a direct consequence.
Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign
(www.safespeed.org.uk) said: "I was present as an observer when the team from
Tonight with Trevor MacDonald were testing the LTI2020 laser speed meter. It
is clear to me that the equipment is unsuitable for obtaining legal evidence
against motorists because of the ease with which it can be confused."
"Clearly the Home Office did not adequately test the device before issuing
type approval. That type approval must now be withdrawn immediately. Pending
convictions must be dropped. The present situation is totally unacceptable."
"My advice to motorists is:
* Write to your MP demanding that type approval of the LTI2020 is suspended.
* See a solicitor if you have been accused or convicted based on laser speed
meter evidence.
* Challenge every ongoing case.
* Do not pay the fixed penalty ticket.
* If you have been convicted in the last five years, try to get the case re-
opened.
* If you have suffered losses because of faulty laser speed meter evidence
make a compensation claim."
<ends>
Notes for editors
=================
Tonight with Trevor MacDonald have repeated tests carried out by BBC 'Inside
Out' and The Daily Mail. The findings are always the same. The device makes
mistakes.
Tonight with Trevor MacDonald press enquiries:
===================================
This may now be forwarded anywhere. The embargo applies to broadcast and print media.
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