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A.A. to Fight Radar Speed Tests

26th July 1957, Page 50
26th July 1957
Page 50
Page 50, 26th July 1957 — A.A. to Fight Radar Speed Tests
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ADAR equipment will be used to

detect speeding offences in Lancashire from August 1, but prosecutions will be fought strongly by the Automobile Association. They claim that the instruments to be used have a degree of inaccuracy which could be serious, and that it is difficult to identify any particular vehicle in a stream of traffic.

However, Col. Eric St. Johnstone, Chief Constable of Lancashire, believes. that the use of radar, enabling police to ." catch offenders without disclosing their presence, will have a valuable psychological effect in 'reducing speeding and road accidents.

The instrument, an American-made electro-matic radar speed meter, will be fixed in the boot of a parked car and operated by an officer in plain clothes. It consists of a transmitter and receiver.

projecting a stream of short electric waves in any desired direction. The waves rebound from an approaching vehicle and convert the reactions to register speed.

The • impulses are translated on an indicator showing the conversion of the radar waves in miles per hour. An offender's number and speed will be radioed to a police car ahead manned by uniformed officers.

The possibility of error over the meter's range is said to be not more than 1-2 m.p.h. The evidence will be used only when the meter is proved accurate before and after the operation.

Because of their much larger metal fields, buses and other heavy vehicles register at much greater distances. than cars and motorcycles. The average car is picked up at a distance of about 178 ft., though motorcycles do not register until comparatively close.

Limits on Use

The meter has its limitations, as it is practically impossible to separate two vehicles abreast, or running bumper to bumper.

Col. St. Johnstone was impressed when he saw radar being used by police in America, where it has been in operation for 10 years. It was adopted in Canada three years ago, and in Northern Ireland in November, 1956. Wherever it has been usedthe courts have accepted its accuracy, and in Northern Ireland 134 cases have all resulted in convictions.

Commented an A.A. spokesman: "In the hands of police without technical knowledge of electronic instruments, we can foresee miscarriages of justice

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Organisations: Automobile Association

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