Inconsistent radar testing casts doubt on validity of millions of speeding tickets
Article Published by CBC.ca – http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/speeding-tickets-police-radar-testing-1.3415927
Original Article Written by Marnie Luke, Lori Ward, CBC News
Ticket Shield has had a number of clients calling in making reference to this article. It is certainly insightful and something to think about. The article discusses the protocol and techniques used to test and calibrate speed radar equipment. Equipment testing is an avenue of defence that we consider frequently and can lead to charges being withdrawn.
The most common form of testing is using “tuning forks”, which are two-pronged metal devices that will vibrate when tapped against something. The officers can place the fork in front of the radar gun to ensure it is taking a reading correctly. Police Officers are required to provide proof of testing/calibration in order to convict someone of speeding at trial. It is suggested that often times the officers are not actually using the tuning forks or they are testing the equipment improperly. The article also discusses the use of laser radar, which does not require tuning forks to calibrate.
The implication is that there are flaws with the way that speeding tickets are being issued and there is potential that many of the officers are not properly testing their equipment. Rest assured – this is something that we always investigate and have had speeding tickets dropped on numerous occasions for raising issues relating to testing times and calibration logs for speed detection devices.
Check out the original article.
