Case Raises Doubts about the Validity of Speeding Tickets

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Have you received a speeding ticket you didn’t deserve?

If so, was it from a hand-held speed-detector?

Drivers like you could be in luck, depending on the outcome of one case currently going through the Downing Centre Local Court.

The case could cast doubt on the validity of speeding tickets, thanks to a technical argument raised by Mr Furio Rossi.

On 26 February this year, Mr Rossi was driving in a 50km/h zone on Sydney’s North Shore. A hand-held police radar gun calculated that he was going at a speed of 101km/hr. Mr Rossi disputed this speed and took the ticket to court.

His lawyer felt that there was a legal loophole to get Mr Rossi off the hook.

The device that police used was a hand-held gun, specifically, a light detection and ranging device, or ‘LIDAR’.

LIDARs can only be used to book motorists if they have a valid certificate to confirm that it is accurate and approved for speed measurement.

While the radar used on Mr Rossi had a standard certificate, it did not measure up to the requirement that it be “approved for speed measurement.”

Without this crucial certification, the evidence of the LIDAR gun could not be used as evidence. Mr Rossi’s lawyer argued in court that, because of this deficiency, police could not prove his speed beyond a reasonable doubt.

At this point, the police prosecutor asked for an adjournment in order to consider the position, and attempt to collect further evidence. The Magistrate granted that adjournment, and the case will return to court on 20 November.

It is not known what this further evidence will be, but police could possibly attempt to rely the police officer’s ‘estimate of speed’ to support its case.

In any case, the outcome of the case could have implications for other drivers who received tickets as a result of a LIDAR.

Predictably, a spokesperson for NSW Police stated that “NSW Police maintains full confidence in its speeding enforcement programs.”

Previous Challenge

This is certainly not the first time LIDAR guns have been challenged in court. For instance, back in 2011, 29-year-old John Busuttil was charged with speeding by over 45 km/h when it was alleged that he was driving his motorbike 149km/h in a 60km/h zone.

His father, who is a barrister, represented him in court.

Although the Local Court Magistrate found Mr Busuttil guilty, the Judge in Downing Centre District Court quashed the conviction on appeal because the way that police had used the LIDAR gun was “radically wrong.”

In the aftermath of that case, a spokesperson from the NSW police similarly stated that they had “complete confidence in the device.”

What are LIDAR guns?

LIDAR guns are handheld speed detection devices. In order to get a valid reading, police must direct the device at your vehicle for at least three seconds, and the device must be still.

LIDAR guns work by directing a high frequency microwave beam at a vehicle. The shift of frequency when the beam reflects off the vehicle allows the device to detect its speed. Weather conditions, such as fog, can diminish visibility, and rain can interfere with the radar – which can cause inaccurate readings. In addition, long distances between the LIDAR gun and the vehicle can also lead to inaccuracy, or even booking the wrong motorist.

After winning his son’s case, criminal barrister Busuttil encouraged anyone who thinks they have been booked for no reason to contest the fine. But that is easy for him to say – challenging a speeding fine can be time-consuming and costly, especially if you have to pay for a lawyer. And if you are found guilty, the Magistrate can impose an even heavier fine that the one you received from police. So you should always think carefully and receive advice before challenging a fine. Many criminal law firms offer a free first conference during which you can obtain advice about costs and your chances of success.

In the meantime, we will have to wait and see what the court says about LIDAR guns which have not been approved for speed measurement.

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About Ugur Nedim

Ugur Nedim is an Accredited Specialist Criminal Lawyer and Principal at Sydney Criminal Lawyers®, Sydney’s Leading Firm of Criminal & Traffic Defence Lawyers.

3 Comments

  1. Fiona

    Question: How does a Lidar gun marry up the details of its reading with the motorist details.
    Is there a picture of the vehicle on the Lidar gun or just a speed reading of something? How does it detect one car from another? Does the police officer have to physically stop the motorist and obtain their details and then put both together into the computer?

  2. Cameron

    Was pulled over on a highway allegedly doing 127kph in a 100kph zone … first overtaking lane for 50km so i took it (7 hour journey and only time I sped was because the trucks on my inside sped up) – anyway, let’s put aside the useless revenue raising for a moment.

    Was clocked doing this speed by a LIDAR gun, the policeman told me I was doing 127 then walked away to issue ticket, upon returning he told me actually i was doing 126. This makes me question LIDAR in its entirety … how do I know the policeman in question had a certificate for the LIDAR gun? Do I have a case to appeal?

  3. Paul Ambry

    Yesterday, the driver in front of me and I were pulled over for speeding on highway A41 just south of Cowra. The police officer alleged the driver in front was doing 115kph and I was doing 118kph. I had my cruise control set at ~101kph – based on the GPS speed reading – and the GPS was reading 103 at the time I went through the trap (there was a little overrun thanks to a downhill). The driver in front said he had his set at 100 according to his GPS and that was the indicated GPS speed when he went through the trap.

    The police reading was clearly in error, although that’s exactly what his instruments indicated (I was curious and asked to see the readout). The police officer let both of us off with a caution and told us both to do the speed limit in future. He insisted his reading was correct, which it clearly wasn’t. I’ve been through 100s of speed traps using the GPS speed reading without a fine. In 5 years I’ve only had one fine (and the other driver none – facts the police officer took into consideration).

    I asked the police officer if he now expected me to travel at 85kph on the highway from this point one. The whole thing vexed me and I’d like to know just how his equipment could be so inaccurate (and how many other drivers he booked incorrectly that day)?

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