Speeding Fines

Graeme · 23-Aug-07, 08:44 PM

Speeding on bridges

I recently received a fine for speeding (82 km/h) on a very long, wide bridge near where I live. The speed limit there is 60km/h but everyone does 80 - 90 across that bridge (no excuse).

Folk are now telling me that I should contest the fine because speed determination by tripod-mounted camera equipment (probably on the approach to the bridge) is not valid because a bridge is a â€œmoving structureâ€. I must say that I have noticed that there is discernable vibration on a bridge when a heavy vehicle goes past.

I am not terribly fussed about this, regarding the occasional speeding fine (R400) as part of the cost of running a motor car, like toll roads and punctures.
But as a matter of interest could I ask, Duncan and Eugene (Engineering and Law), and any others; do you have an opinion on this? Would the vibration on a bridge be sufficient to invalidate the speed determination, or is this more in the nature of an urban legend?

Dave A · 23-Aug-07, 09:24 PM

I seem to recall there was a jurisdiction issue around bridges, but that could easily be another urban legend.

The other point that rings a bell was that the measuring device could not be mounted on a bridge - due to that same vibration issue you mentioned.

(Definitely not legal advice - just stuff I've heard along the way).

duncan drennan · 23-Aug-07, 10:15 PM

The movement of the bridge must influence the measurement somehow, but I can't even guess to what extent (I imagine unnoticeable, but I could be wrong). There must be some sort of manual which says that speed measurements are only allowed under such and such conditions, and logs must be kept and so on. Not sure where to get a copy of that though...

Eugene · 24-Aug-07, 09:05 AM

When I was employed by the Department of Justice as prosecutor (many moons ago) I can recall a circular from the Attorney General (nowadays the Director of Public Prosecutions) that they were not allowed to affix the tripod on a bridge or even the window of the patrol car which quite often happened. If they hace changed the ruling, I don't know, but will try and find out and let you know.

Eugene · 24-Aug-07, 09:12 AM

I found this interesting piece of info regarding the general conditions for prosecution with regard to speed measurements:

http://www.speedtraps.co.za/docs/Gui...easurement.pdf

Graeme · 25-Aug-07, 09:34 AM

Eugene - thanks for your trouble. Do you know who issued the document?

Kind regards, Graeme.

Eugene · 25-Aug-07, 11:36 AM

No idea - I see it is marked anonymous, but it bears a familiar resemblence to the prosecutor notes I have.... suppose they are not meant to be public knowledge.

Brainwaves · 05-Sep-07, 03:52 PM

While you are on the topic, did you notice on the highways there are an 80km board on account of road works near almost all of the cameras, and no road works for days? But when you get your ticket you apparently drove 100km on an 80km speed zone.... On the highway?!!!!

Dave A · 05-Sep-07, 04:53 PM

About the best way to get tail-ended on a freeway is to drive at 80kmph on those sections.

Scary.

23-Aug-07, 08:44 PM	#1
Graeme Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 253 Thanks: 73 Thanked 19 Times in 18 Posts Rep Power: 4	Speeding Fines Speeding on bridges I recently received a fine for speeding (82 km/h) on a very long, wide bridge near where I live. The speed limit there is 60km/h but everyone does 80 - 90 across that bridge (no excuse). Folk are now telling me that I should contest the fine because speed determination by tripod-mounted camera equipment (probably on the approach to the bridge) is not valid because a bridge is a â€œmoving structureâ€. I must say that I have noticed that there is discernable vibration on a bridge when a heavy vehicle goes past. I am not terribly fussed about this, regarding the occasional speeding fine (R400) as part of the cost of running a motor car, like toll roads and punctures. But as a matter of interest could I ask, Duncan and Eugene (Engineering and Law), and any others; do you have an opinion on this? Would the vibration on a bridge be sufficient to invalidate the speed determination, or is this more in the nature of an urban legend?

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23-Aug-07, 09:24 PM	#2
Dave A Site Caretaker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Durban, South Africa Posts: 10,172 Thanks: 978 Thanked 696 Times in 609 Posts Rep Power: 28	I seem to recall there was a jurisdiction issue around bridges, but that could easily be another urban legend. The other point that rings a bell was that the measuring device could not be mounted on a bridge - due to that same vibration issue you mentioned. (Definitely not legal advice - just stuff I've heard along the way).

23-Aug-07, 10:15 PM	#3
duncan drennan just me Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cape Town Posts: 2,609 Thanks: 102 Thanked 89 Times in 74 Posts Rep Power: 10	The movement of the bridge must influence the measurement somehow, but I can't even guess to what extent (I imagine unnoticeable, but I could be wrong). There must be some sort of manual which says that speed measurements are only allowed under such and such conditions, and logs must be kept and so on. Not sure where to get a copy of that though...

24-Aug-07, 09:05 AM	#4
Eugene Silver Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somerset West Posts: 297 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Rep Power: 4	When I was employed by the Department of Justice as prosecutor (many moons ago) I can recall a circular from the Attorney General (nowadays the Director of Public Prosecutions) that they were not allowed to affix the tripod on a bridge or even the window of the patrol car which quite often happened. If they hace changed the ruling, I don't know, but will try and find out and let you know.

24-Aug-07, 09:12 AM	#5
Eugene Silver Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somerset West Posts: 297 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Rep Power: 4	I found this interesting piece of info regarding the general conditions for prosecution with regard to speed measurements: http://www.speedtraps.co.za/docs/Gui...easurement.pdf

25-Aug-07, 09:34 AM	#6
Graeme Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 253 Thanks: 73 Thanked 19 Times in 18 Posts Rep Power: 4	Eugene - thanks for your trouble. Do you know who issued the document? Kind regards, Graeme.

25-Aug-07, 11:36 AM	#7
Eugene Silver Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somerset West Posts: 297 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Rep Power: 4	No idea - I see it is marked anonymous, but it bears a familiar resemblence to the prosecutor notes I have.... suppose they are not meant to be public knowledge.

05-Sep-07, 03:52 PM	#8
Brainwaves New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0	While you are on the topic, did you notice on the highways there are an 80km board on account of road works near almost all of the cameras, and no road works for days? But when you get your ticket you apparently drove 100km on an 80km speed zone.... On the highway?!!!!

05-Sep-07, 04:53 PM	#9
Dave A Site Caretaker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Durban, South Africa Posts: 10,172 Thanks: 978 Thanked 696 Times in 609 Posts Rep Power: 28	About the best way to get tail-ended on a freeway is to drive at 80kmph on those sections. Scary.

Speeding Fines

Speeding on bridges I recently received a fine for speeding (82 km/h) on a very long, wide bridge near where I live. The speed limit there is 60km/h...