Speeding: gatso: what happens now

gbee wrote: »

I believe, I think, it's 265MPH to defeat the camera, am looking for the Top Gear Top Tip as I type. :P

vector wrote: »

My significan other says she did 81mph past a gatso in a 62mph zone.
(its an old car, so still thinking in miles!)

Assuming it photographed the car what happen in reality now?

2 points and a fine of 80 in the post, done and dusted?
and when will the letter arrive?

or a summons? (I hope not)

indeed what speeding offenses are summonsed these days, isint everything just a fine and points (assuming you pay the fine)

TWELVE charges of speeding, brought by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) were dismissed at Mallow District Court this week, as none of the inspectors could identify any of the drivers.

Evidence of speeding, along with car registration numbers, were given by three RSA Inspectors in court on Tuesday, which alleged a host of speeding offences at Creggane, Buttevant on January 30 last.

The RSA Inspectors who work in the mobile speed detection vehicles, commonly known as Gatso vans, take photographs of car registration numbers and then issue a speeding fine by post.

However, none of the RSA Inspectors, when grilled by various solicitors, could state who exactly was driving the car when the photographs were taken.

Judge Olann Kelleher told the RSA Inspectors that it was not enough to show that there was speeding, but proof of who was driving must also be given.

"You need to go back and check it out with your own people. This is not a criticism of you, but I have to be fair here; otherwise, this is really just a waste of time," said Judge Kelleher. THERE was just one successful prosecution by the RSA (Road Safety Authority) for speeding out of 13 at Mallow District Court, as none of the RSA speed Inspectors could give evidence as to the identification of the driver.

Evidence of speeding along with car registration numbers were given by three RSA Inspectors in court on Tuesday which related to a host of speeding offences at Creggane, Buttevant, on January 30, 2011.

The RSA inspectors who work in the mobile speed detection vehicles, commonly called Gatso vans, take photographs of car registration numbers and then issue a speeding fine by post.

However, none of the RSA Inspectors when grilled by various solicitors could state who exactly was driving the cars when the photographs were taken.

After listening to a host of cases, Judge Kelleher told the three RSA Inspectors that it was not enough to show there was speeding, but proof of who was driving must also be given.

"You need to go back and check it all out with your own people. This is not a criticism of you, but I have to be fair here, otherwise this is really just a waste of time," said Judge Kelleher.

The only successful prosecution was the first case listed, Niamh Kirk, of 3 Pearse Place, Carrigtwohill. Inspector Pádraig Kelleher of the RSA said he was operating a seed check on the N20 at Creggane, Buttevant on January 30, 2011.

He said he photographed a car being driven at 66kph in a 50 zone. Ms Kirk was not in court and she was fined €200.

However, the second case listed was Declan O'Sullivan, and he told the court that he did not get a notification of speeding. He also said it was his brother who was driving the car and not him. Solicitor Neil Corbett said there was no evidence provided by the RSA inspector as to who was driving the car. Inspector Kelleher also told the judge that he did not know who the driver was. The charge against Mr O'Sullivan of Loughlea, Buttevant was dismissed.

However, German national Dagmar Stolzenbach, of Cahermuke, Kealkil, Bantry, admitted to speeding at Creggane, Buttevant, on January 30, 2011 - however she said that she was not notified by post about it.

Judge Kelleher adjourned the matter until September 13, and said if she paid €150 to St Vincent de Paul by that date - then he would strike it out.

Solicitor Dave Waters representing Stephen O'Flynn told said the court that " some evidence must be given" of the identification of the driver. He was representing Mr O'Flynn, of 27 O'Sullivan's Place, Mallow. "The summons is saying that Stephen O'Flynn was speeding, but there is no evidence of identification," he said.

Garda Inspector Senan Ryan said that he accepted that evidence had not been given by the RSA Inspector as to identification. Again, this case was dismissed. Garda Insp Ryan told the court that there is "a presumption in law that a summons has been served".

Solicitor David O'Meara representing another client said that the hub of the problem before the court was that "it is an old fashioned summons for a new fashioned law, and it just doesn't work".

Representing himself, Edward Harty, of 13 Finian Park, Shannon, Co. Clare, said he did not get any notification by post - again, this case was dismissed.

Other dismissed cases included John F Daly, of O'Brien Street, Kanturk; Mary O'Driscoll, of 18 Summer hill, Mallow; Mike Roche, of Jamestown, Kilmallock and Patrick Whelan, of Mulberry Road, Midleton.

- MARIA HERLIHY

In The Sticks wrote: »

Apparently when your summons arrives you get the option of stating who was driving the car at the time it was clocked, you can put your name or your OH name on it, put her name on it ans she pays the fine and gets the points, :eek:

NuMarvel wrote: »

Why do you think that someone over the speed limit should not get penalty points?

vector wrote: »

If I pay the fine in a post office do I still have to post the form for 55cents to County Whatever, or is it all electronic, and I just aget a receipt from the post office and thats that?

(I don't want to post cos it would cost 55c AND what if the form got lost!)