"Safety" camera van

[wimorrison]

Get used to the inefficiency

[chadders1033]

Originally Posted by Austin160

Unless Chadders has proof positive that the speeding evidence taken from "safety" vans is used solely in relation to spending offences, and the setting up of that fine does not involve the "normal" checks for MOT, Tax and insurance, then personally I would doubt that statement.
Simply setting up this costly system and then just using it in a speeding prosecution sense only, rather than a simple catch all offence at the same time, would suggest a very inefficient system.

The vans are set up in locations where speeding / accidents related to speed are an issue either because statistics say so or because the local community has contacted the respective police authority and complained about the speed of motorists. The locations are then generally published on the website of the police authority.
The camera is set up to record the speed at which a prosecution will be brought about and that's it. The person operating the van and the camera sits back and reads the paper. At the end of a days work the DVLA data base is checked for the details of the registered keeper (RK) & only the registered keeper! The RK of all the vehicles caught exceeding the speed limit are then sent an NIP

Any other checks would be an abuse of process because the purpose of the check is to find out who the RK is so that the process of a prosecution can be started, and not to see if there is insurance or MOT.

To prosecute someone for no insurance and or no MOT is a completely different process. Points are not issued for no MOT it's a fine only.

No insurance is 6 points and a fixed penalty of £200 and the vehicle will also be seized. Unless the matter is dealt with at court in which case the driver will be reported for the offence and the vehicle seized.

[827Roverman]

Originally Posted by Triple-S

Just fetched my Volvo 164 back from under friend's car-port for a pre-booked MoT appointment when I passed a camera-van parked in a lay-by on the A281 south of Horsham, which proclaimed it being a "safety" van. So what is it really - camera's chasing tax-evaders of course.
Bet they see my MoT had expired a few days ago, so will I get a prosecution letter automatically? Does a pre-booked MoT go through wherever the camera-van films go for analysis, or is it just the garage's job-card? If the latter (which I suspect) ought I ask the garage for proof of it being pre-booked when I take it in (tomorrow)? How long before I can relax! and if a letter does come, has anybody any recommendations as how to respond.

P

Providing your car was taxed & insured & you where not speeding, you should be ok going for a pre-booked MOT, but why let your MOT expire anyway ? with regards to these vans, buy a Snooper, great little things, mine alerts me of all types of fixed camera's, & all mobile vans including approaching schools, not that I speed anyway after last getting caught at 35 mph, that's when I got a Snooper.

[NigelDay]

(Duplicate post)

[NigelDay]

Originally Posted by 827Roverman

Providing your car was taxed & insured & you where not speeding, you should be ok going for a pre-booked MOT, but why let your MOT expire anyway ? with regards to these vans, buy a Snooper, great little things, mine alerts me of all types of fixed camera's, & all mobile vans including approaching schools, not that I speed anyway after last getting caught at 35 mph, that's when I got a Snooper.

Does the Snooper 'detect' the mobile van radar systems (not sure if this is legal) or does it have a database of approved locations for these mobile vans ? The vans cannot simply set up anywhere - they have to be pre-defined locations safely off the highway. I know my 'local locations' well.

[Lawrence39]

I managed to drive unwittingly for 4 months without an MOT. It was at at routine traffic stop that it came to light and I think the copper could see the genuine shock on my face. I asked if I could book it in immediately, which i did on the roadside with my mobile and took the car straight there. No points or fine, consider myself quite lucky that day.

The car sailed through the mot, being a well loved 850

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by NigelDay

Does the Snooper 'detect' the mobile van radar systems (not sure if this is legal) or does it have a database of approved locations for these mobile vans ? The vans cannot simply set up anywhere - they have to be pre-defined locations safely off the highway. I know my 'local locations' well.

According to their blurb they have both

http://www.snooper.co.uk/snooper-4ze...-detector.html

[green van man]

I am in the position of the land rover having an expired mot and if not fixed by end of Oct will have to be sornd, it is still insured.
Even if neither all I need do is register my intention of presenting the car at my mot station, and I am coverd to drive directly there and back home hopefully with a new mot but still no tax.
If you get a letter just show proof of booked appointment and your good.

Paul.

[daveyonthemove]

I think you need an MOT in order to buy tax, so you will probably be ok.

[green van man]

Originally Posted by daveyonthemove

I think you need an MOT in order to buy tax, so you will probably be ok.

Indeed you do and yes I will. I checked the situation with my mot station before starting the repairs to the landrover to be sure of things.

Paul.