I don't know how much the law has changed in this respect since the 70s, but it used to be possible for the police to prosecute for speeding if, in the opinion of two officers, you were breaking the liimit (based purely on watching you go past!). I had a friend who was done like that (along with "making excessive noise" etc). It seems to me that as long as your number has been noted, and a speed measured with the gun, a photograph is probably icing on the cake. That said, I'm sure the modern devices that you sometimes see them squinting through, while parked up by a motorway, can take photos as well as measure speed.
I was nicked by a gun last month 39 in a 30, aimed at front of my van in Essex. Letter asking for driver details arrived about a week later said photographic evidence of offence. Did a speed awareness course, £97.50 instead of £100 and 3 points.
Have they quietly raised the standard fixed penalty from £60 to £100 then? I'm sure it still makes sense to take the speed awareness course rather than to take the points, even if it costs more (I believe the "safety camera partnership" take the profits!) but I was annoyed to find when I took out car insurance recently that Admiral, or whoever it is, wanted to know about attendance of any such course, as well as any points, convictions, bans etc. They told me that if I had attended a course they would charge me a higher premium. That stinks in my view - surey they cannot have any evidence that those who have been on a course are more likely to make a claim?
Taking photos or not, accurately measuring your speed or not,it doesn't matter one bit if the device/s were pointing at the front.
If you look at my post on page 1 of this thread you will see that this is exactly what happened to me, 2 police officers judged me to be doing 90mph. Obviously if you just pay up it's easy but a bit more of a problem if you challenge them as they will either have to walk away and it goes no further or go and stand in court and answer your questions.
Mmmmmm my "Friend" was in his car at the time, hence front plate on show. The police car was in a layby facing on coming traffic, not sure if it was equipped with any type of forward facing ANPR technology. The police definitely pointed the hand held gun at my friend, and jumped in their car has he drove past them. My "friend" said he was doing an indicated 85 ish on a dual carriageway. I always thought if they were using a hand held gun, they had to stop you, to show you the evidence and discuss what they planned to do next. Guess my "friend" has a nervous 2 weeks wait to see if a NIP arrives
I unknowingly followed an unmarked car on the motorway recently (over 14 days ago) at up to 110 mph. He flashed the rear blue lights then accelerated away from me. Still not sure what exactly was going on but I guess he had bigger fish to fry.
I agree, that is an absolute joke. Surely the whole point of these courses is that if you go on them, you are less likely to speed, and they make you a safer driver. I really hate insurance companies, they absolutely take the piss.
If I saw a camera facing towards me and was concerned, I might just decide to stop. At this point, there is no evidence for the camera of your plate and no connecting evidence at the same timestamp of the rear shot as you go past. Nothing to stop you simply pulling up, getting off and consulting your mobile, having decided to phone a friend, have a smoke and quickly check Pornhub. If you knew your "friend" was speeding then you could just play a waiting game and move on after a while.
