Story: RALPH MORTON
Gareth Powell - used in-vehicle telematics to escape incorrect speeding ticket
Tracking technology proves speeding ticket false
THE benefits of in-vehicle tracking technology are many – but van driver Gareth Powell has extra reason to be thankful to the telematics system installed in his van: Gareth has successfully challenged a speeding ticket.
Gareth Powell was clocked doing 61mph in a 50mph limit on the A4174 near Bristol in November last year, while he was working as an employee of MD Building Services Ltd.
However, Gareth doubted the alleged offence. So he contacted the vehicle tracking maker, Navman Wireless, to discover if the company could clarify the precise speed he’d been driving at when the incident occurred.
Vehicle tracking records proved that his Ford Transit Connect van had only been travelling at 48mph.
“I’m an extremely careful driver and was certain I hadn’t broken the law,” said Gareth.
“It was a great relief when Navman Wireless could confirm that I’d been driving within the speed limit. It gave me the confidence I needed to contest the Notice of Intended Prosecution.
Gareth was clocked by the LTI 20-20 speed gun on November 28, 2008. The case was dismissed by the District Judge at Bath & Wansdyke Magistrates Court on Friday October 30.
“The GPS fix on Gareth’s vehicle from the tracking system was excellent when he was clocked by the speed gun,” said Navman Wireless IT director Barry Neill, who attended court as an expert witness.
“On this occasion, the Dilution of Precision (DOP) value was one – in other words the eight satellites locating his vehicle were advantageously positioned. Under good conditions, GPS tracking technology is accurate to within three metres.”
Gareth added: “Had it not been for the Navman Wireless vehicle tracking, and the company’s superb technical support, I would currently have three points on my drivers licence and would have ended up paying a £60 fine. I would have had no way of proving my speed and therefore would have been forced to accept the charge.”
