Speed camera at Longdowns
Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/23/5826
Version Date: 02/01/2024
The Road Safety Team have provided the following information.
When was the speed camera at Longdowns village on A394 last calibrated?
06/01/2023
Can you confirm it is calibrated annually?
Yes
In the event that it is not calibrated annually, can you confirm whether any speeding penalties issued in response to incidents captured on the camera would not be enforceable if captured more than 12 months after the date of the last calibration?
It depends on the device. Spot Speed cameras used by Devon & Cornwall Police require calibration every 12 months whereas Average Speed cameras require calibration every 24 months.
Falling outside of calibration dates does not necessarily prevent prosecution however the burden of proof sits with the prosecution to demonstrate the calibration and cameras are working within the parameters demanded by Home Office Type Approved equipment e.g. if calibration of a device ended on 1st November and a vehicle was recorded travelling at excess speed by that device on the 2nd November a defence could be raised claiming the equipment could be unreliable and the reading was therefore unproven. If the camera was then calibrated on the 3rd of November and was proven to still be operating within the parameters demanded by Home Office Type Approved equipment, then the burden of proof to demonstrate the camera was accurate to the required standard would be made out and the prosecution valid.
Devon & Cornwall Police do not use or attempt prosecution for excess speed offences with equipment that is outside of the calibration date. The calibration certification for Longdowns has never lapsed and is in date.