Bizarre

[Greggles]

Hi all,

Had a bizarre experience on my trip home yesterday.

Got pulled up for speeding by a mobile policeman on the weekend. The policeman asked me if I was speeding to which I replied "No - I didn't think so". I had the cruise control set at 115km/h (in a 110 km/h zone) knowing that it reads 6-8 km over. I indicated I had the cruise control set and then the policeman showed me a reading of 125 on his laser, speed gun. Next to this reading was another reading at 111.8. It was labelled 'trail' (I think). Anyway, I apologised but was at a loss as to why I reading such a high speed (despite my owning a R36 I've not had a speeding ticket in 30years of driving). The policeman was fantastic and let me off with a warning. I'm wondering if he got the wrong guy, and the 111.8 was my confirmed reading over a few subsequent kms. Interesting, he asked whether I saw him or not which I hadn't. Anyway, can anyone confirm what the 'trail' reading is?

[Umai Naa!!]

From what I'm told, they're meant to aim at the base of your windscreen, if they're using the handheld unit. If they decide to, they'll drop it down to the number plate area while you're still aproaching, and this will give a higher reading.

Although, your theory of being in the wrong place at the wrong time still holds water.

[Cossor]

From what I'm told, they're meant to aim at the base of your windscreen, if they're using the handheld unit. If they decide to, they'll drop it down to the number plate area while you're still aproaching, and this will give a higher reading.

Although, your theory of being in the wrong place at the wrong time still holds water.

This makes sense to me.
I think original reading is as you approach camera, and "Trail" reading after you have passed.
Interesting question "Did you see me"! means "Did you slam on brakes as you passed me"

So I suspect if caught speeding, both readings should be the same. But lord help us when the private contractors get into the act, especially if a quick movement of camera can distort readings.

[Umai Naa!!]

From what I've seen, the private contractors don't use the hand-held jobbies. The hard part is working out what they're driving, and where they'll be parking. Since you and I are both from the Southern Highlands, there can be only so many places they can be, given the locations listed in the PDF file on the RTA website.

As for the two readings, my guess would be the higher one being the speed that was initially 'locked-on', and the trail being the average speed measured as your car continues to approach the radar gun, before the operator puts it away and gives chase. If anyone else can shed light on this, I'd love to know.

[Maverick]

Hi all,

Had a bizarre experience on my trip home yesterday.

Got pulled up for speeding by a mobile policeman on the weekend. The policeman asked me if I was speeding to which I replied "No - I didn't think so". I had the cruise control set at 115km/h (in a 110 km/h zone) knowing that it reads 6-8 km over. I indicated I had the cruise control set and then the policeman showed me a reading of 125 on his laser, speed gun. Next to this reading was another reading at 111.8. It was labelled 'trail' (I think). Anyway, I apologised but was at a loss as to why I reading such a high speed (despite my owning a R36 I've not had a speeding ticket in 30years of driving). The policeman was fantastic and let me off with a warning. I'm wondering if he got the wrong guy, and the 111.8 was my confirmed reading over a few subsequent kms. Interesting, he asked whether I saw him or not which I hadn't. Anyway, can anyone confirm what the 'trail' reading is?

The 111.8 is the distance the officer was from you when he last checked your speed, on most units this is at the bottom of the LCD screen with the speed at the top.

I assume it was a LTI (Laser Technology Inc) 20-20 Ultralyte derivitive that was used?

And they can do a average speed on some models but the range is generally only up to 600m (there are long range models as well) and the display will show this as a speed and a CONT indicator alongside. Some models can also check for tailgating now as well and will tell the operator how close two cars are travelling.

So the 111.8 is definately not your speed over a few kms but is the range as I mentioned above. The units can't be used mobile either and have to be used stationary and the units have a lot of fail safes built in to prevent errors (but they're not a scientific instrument despite the police presenting them to court as if they are and they can screw up under some circumstances - for example if you pull over the Victorian Premier for speeding you can remember that you failed to calibrate the unit and let him go but all the other drivers that you ticketed that morning still have to pay).

[Umai Naa!!]

Good work, Mavrick. Sounds like you possibly know too much about this subject!