No this is not Hollywood, this is you on the roads in South Africa. You are either driving along listening to the music in a car and suddenly a police officer jumps out at you and you know you have just been caught in a speed trap. Gone through a red light and see that flash behind you – oops! Never fear because the Prosecuting Guidelines for Speed Measuring Equipment and Traffic Light Violation Monitoring Equipment is here to protect you. This has been issued by the Technical Committee for Standards and Procedures for Traffic Control and Traffic Control Equipment, We refer to version 1.5 issued February 2012. We believe that this is still in force. The object of the guidelines is to ensure the accuracy and reliability of measurement results for fair prosecution. The decision whether or not to prosecute however still remains in the discretion of the prosecutor.
The operator of any Speed Measuring Equipment (SME) shall be a traffic officer appointed in terms of the road traffic legislation; and be in possession of an operator’s certificate for the specific type of SME. An accredited laboratory -shall calibrate or verify all speed measuring equipment and all time or time interval measuring equipment;
Speed Zone Requirements – No prosecution may be instituted where the speed measurement was taken within 300 metres of the commencement of the speed limit zone.
Documentation required at SME sites – A copy of the following must be available at all times
(i) an appointment certificate
(ii) a valid calibration certificate
(iii) the operator’s certificate
The driver shall be afforded the opportunity to view the speed measuring equipment, if stopped by a traffic officer.
Automated operations
Only speed measuring or traffic light violation monitoring equipment installed in a permanently secured housing may be used for automated operations for prosecution of speed violations and/or traffic light violations. Above installations shall be checked for correct operation, correct camera alignment and damage at least every seven days. These results shall be recorded.
Site selection and setup for different classes of Radar-
The equipment may only be used where there are –
No metal road signs or vertical flat surfaces larger than 1 meter in height within 15 (fifteen) degrees on either side of the aiming direction, within a distance of 200m of the antenna;
No signals received and processed from vehicles more than 500 metres away;
No other moving vehicle other than the measured vehicle within 600 metres from the SME in the direction of operation.
Preparation for mobile SME’s – Prior to the machine being used, the following checks must be carried out and recorded –
Vertical and horizontal scope alignment test, at a distance of at least 100 metres must be done at the start and end of each speed measurement shift and whenever the equipment is moved to a new location.
A fixed distance and zero velocity test shall be done –
Manual operational procedures – the following must be adhered to whilst operating the equipment –
when viewed from the SME there must be a clear, visible separation between the vehicle target and any other visible vehicle.
General requirements applicable to Traffic Light Violation operations –
The photograph/image shall at least record the following for traffic light violation monitoring equipment –
(i) date of offence;
(ii) time of offence;
(iii) the yellow interval time of the traffic light preceding the red-light time;
(iv) the elapsed red-light time at time of the photograph/image;
(v) a view of the whole width of the traffic lane(s) and intersection;
(vi) at least one functioning traffic light must be visible in the photograph / image indicating the interval of the intersection.
At least two photographs/images indicating the position of the vehicle of the accused must be taken –
(i) the first image must show the vehicle approaching or entering the intersection after a delay time has lapsed at the start of the red-interval of the intersection;
(ii) at least a second image taken a fixed time or distance from the first image indicating the vehicle moving through the intersection during the red interval; and the location description.
A notice in terms of section 341of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 55 of 1977, shall be posted to the licensed owner of the motor vehicle within 30 days of the date of the offence; or where AARTO is in place, in accordance to AARTO legislation.
So based on the above, if you are stopped or receive a notice in the post you might want to check that that the above has all been complied with before you part with your hard earned cash.
