Wanted—A Fair Deal from Radar
Page 32
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• A LL transport associations should support the Royal Automobile Club in their plea to the Home Office for definite legal standards to which police radar speedmeters must conform. The R.A.C. have not yet approached the National Road Transport Federation on the matter, although commercial-vehicle owners and drivers are as much affected as private motorists. This is a matter for unified representations to the Government.
Because of possible errors in design and inaccuracies that might arise in use, the R.A.C. decline to accept as legitimate evidence of excessive speed a radar meter reading of less. than 5 m.p.h. above the legal speed limit. The R.A.C. tread the path of reason in not condemning the meters out of hand or condoning flagrant breaches of speed limit, but they demand protection for drivers against unjustified convictions.
An investigation by the R.A.C. shows that readings by the type of meter now being used in Lancashire and London may be affected by at least five extraneous influences. They are ground and airborne radar; highpowered television or radio transmitters; electrical apparatus of the kind used in hospitals and clinics; swinging signs or other moving objects acting as reflectors of the waves transmitted by the meter, and large stationary objects, such as parked vans, which may deflect reflections of the transmitted waves and cause readings to be taken on the wrong vehicle.
These hazards exist in many places and make the accuracy of meters problematical. In addition, there is 'at the moment no guarantee that the equipment is inherently accurate even under the best conditions. A national standard for the manufacture, maintenance and operation of radar meters is essential, and evidence of compliance with it should be given in any prosecution.