Time up for "safety cameras"? countdown...

From www.safespeed.org.uk, dated august 30th:

PR351: Speed cameras 'legal crash' coming

ECHR expected to rule UK camera legislation illegal

for immediate release

MCN (Motor Cycle News) reports today of the 'Right to Silence' case
that will
be heard at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg on
27th
September. The case challenges 'Section 172' in the Road Traffic
Offenders Act
1988 which requires registered keepers of vehicles and others to
'provide
information' regarding the driver of the vehicle at the time of an
alleged
offence.

Section 172 underpins ALL speed camera prosecutions, and millions of
motorists
each year receive 'section 172' notices requiring them to identify the
driver
after their vehicle has been caught on camera.

The problem arises when the notice arrives with the person who was
driving at
the time of the alleged offence. If he fills in the form he is
effectively
signing a confession which violates his ancient 'right to silence'. If
he fails
to fill in the form (or otherwise provide the required information) he
is
guilty of a different offence.

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign
(www.safespeed.org.uk) said: "Section 172 has been a useful legislative
'big
stick' capable of being used with wisdom and restraint to defend
society
against dangerous criminals. It should never have been used against
millions of
motorists who may or may not have committed minor traffic offences. It
has been
like using the 'big stick' on your little sister. We have now arrived
at the
point where the 'big stick' will be taken away because it has been
abused."

"The tragedy is that S172 has been a useful Police power in serious
cases where
responses could contribute to an ongoing investigation. Now that power
will be
lost for one reason and one reason only; because it has been misused."

"Once S172 goes, that will be the end of speed camera prosecutions as
we know
them. And that can only be good news for road safety."

"As far as I can tell, no one seriously expects the government to win."

 

That's all you need to know to be sure it's bollocks.

 

I'd have thought that the source, being safespeed, would out trump the
fact MCN are just recylcing it on paper.

 

I bet they've jinxed it by reporting it though...

 

depends on what you mean by bollocks.

Idris Francis really is taking his case to the ECHR, but whether

a) they agree with the concern &
b) even they do, the UK government takes any notice

is the issue.

 

Not according to the head of legal services at Southampton Magistrates court
its not!

k

 

Its got **** all to do with your childish view of the matter!

This has to do with a fundamental infringement of human
rights...........either the law relating to this is changed or the scamera
scum are fucked!

k

 

I believe Darsy has the point of it. HMG will simply change the law as
did the Oirish lot last year with their little scuffle.

 

I thought it was the French that ignored Euro stuff.

 

Paul Smith is an idiot. Not the finest, but a front runner.