Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times?
While there is no legal requirement for speed vans to be visible at all times, it is viewed as a best practice for their operations to maintain a visible presence. This is done in order to act as a deterrent and to help promote safety for drivers in the area while also educating them about the dangers of speeding. The approach has been endorsed by Gareth, a spokesperson for the organization who explained that because the goal is to be fair, educational, and prevent accidents, it makes sense to remain visible in the performance of their duties.
Can officers only catch motorists travelling in one direction?
No. Any car that passes a Go Safe van is recorded on the officer's camera. So if you're exceeding the speed limit whether you're driving in the same or opposite direction to the van, you can expect a speeding ticket. Notably, Go Safe vans are mobile speed cameras and have no limit in the direction in which they can issue fixed penalty notices to speeding motorists, so even if you're travelling against the flow of traffic, you could still be liable for a ticket.
It is true that the 10 percent rule exists?
The 10 percent rule has been widely accepted as a guideline for motorists to abide by when travelling on North Wales roads. This means that as long as your speed does not exceed the posted speed limit by more than 10 percent plus 1mph, you are unlikely to be punished for a speeding offence. However, it is important to note that speed limits and thresholds can vary or change suddenly without notice, so always drive carefully and according to the posted speed limits.
Are officers a revenue collector for the Government?
Police officers are not revenue collectors for the Government. Instead, they are tasked with ensuring public safety and preventing crime. Their priority is to enforce the law, which includes careful monitoring of speed limits on roads. If the officer does not encounter any drivers breaking the speed limit, they know they have accomplished their mission and helped keep the roads safe for everyone. Therefore, the goal of a police officer is not to collect revenue for the government, but rather to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of the public.
Can I get caught speeding more than once on the same day by the same camera?
The bottom line is that if you are caught speeding more than once by the same camera then you may be at risk of totting up a prohibitive number of points on your driving licence.
If you are caught speeding by the same camera on the same day, you could risk a penalty points disqualification (totting-up) if you accept a fixed penalty for each offence. Go Safe practice holds that if you are caught twice in 20 minutes, this is treated as a single offence. That being said, it is possible to be caught multiple times on the same journey. For example, if there were several speed cameras placed on the same road or motorway, you could be at risk of being caught multiple times.
The courts have the discretion to consider multiple offences as one occurrence, if they are deemed to have been committed "on the same occasion". For example, if the offences were committed within a few minutes of each other, the court may decide to impose only one set of points. Every case will depend on its specific facts and circumstances.
Ultimately, if you are caught speeding more than once by the same camera then you are in danger of totting up a prohibitive amount of points on your driving licence. It is important to take extra care when travelling to prevent being in this situation.
Is it illegal to obstruct a vans view of the road?
Yes. Obstructing a GoSafe vans field of view during its operational duties is an offence and you can be prosecuted for it.
Do officers enforce anything other than speeding?
Officers also enforce drinking and drinking related offences. If someone is suspected of drink driving they will be required to take a breath test and prosecuted if found to be over the legal limit.
Furthermore, police officers enforce a wide range of other laws and regulations, such as enforcing parking restrictions, incidents of anti-social behaviour and assisting in searches for missing persons.
Police officers also often act as a deterrent against crime and, together with preventative measures, work to ensure public safety.
Officers are there to make sure you are wearing a seatbelt and are not using your mobile phones behind the wheel.
Is it illegal to eat behind the wheel?
No, it's not. However, if you get distracted while snacking behind the wheel, the police could prosecute you for careless driving.
Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe speed van?
It is not illegal to flash your headlights in order to alert other motorists of a GoSafe speed van. Nevertheless, care should be taken not to obstruct police officers in the course of their duties, as this could be considered an offense under the Police Act 1997. Flashing headlights is a common practice among drivers as a way to inform others of a speed van and serve as a speed deterrent, though it is not always easy to prove that someone was indeed obstructing a police officer. Ultimately, drivers should evaluate the risk before deciding to flash their lights.
How long do GoSafe speed vans tend to stay at one particular spot?
90 minutes usually. During an 8 hour shift a van will visit 3 different spots across the region.
Who decides where GoSafe speed vans park up?
The decision as to where Go Safe speed vans will be parked up is made by the authorities which are the Police England, Welsh or Scottish Chiefs. Go Safe works collaboratively with them in assessing or confirm the traffic speed data and any high accident locations. Reasons can involve:
• Death or serious injury has occurred at the location.
• Speeds in the area have been recorded as significantly high.
• Speeding concerns have been raised by residents and those concerns have been corroborated by a traffic speed survey.
• Go Safe are supporting a police enforcement campaign
This helps them to decide on which areas should have enforcement so that it can be targeted effectively to reduce the number of road casualties.
What happens if I am caught speeding?
If you are caught speeding, the consequences you may face will vary depending on the circumstances. You could receive a minimum of a £100 fine and three points to being disqualified from driving. The more serious the offence, the more severe the consequences can be. To avoid the consequences of speeding, the best option is to adhere to the posted speed limit. If you are caught going more than 10% plus 9mph of the speed limit, you are unlikely to be offered the speed awareness course as an alternative to the punishments.
Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points.
Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer.