Speeding? I think NOT!
04/02/08 19:32 Filed in: What the..?
Well good folks, it seems I've been pinged for
speeding!
Not an uncommon occurrence these days, but in this instance completely unjustified.
How fast was I going? 110kph in a 110kph zone. Do you now see my confusion?
As I was traveling home this afternoon I, as per usually, got onto the highway, set the cruise control to 110kph (depending on road conditions) and then cruise my way to the 100kph speed zone at Cooroy.
I was on the Bruce passing North Arm, just north of Yandina, when in the distance I saw the camera car on the side of the road. It was sheltered under the overpass. I double checked my speed and the speedo said a perfect 110kph. I was the only car on that stretch of road at that moment. A car and a semi trailer were about 1 km behind me. I have been passed hundreds of speed cameras at 110kph and never been pinged ever, so I thought nothing of it. I was obeying the road rules and driving to the conditions.
About 300m out I noticed the policeman standing beside the van with the speed gun on me. It had to be me. I was the only one within range to aim at. I checked my speed again, all good there, needle still on 110kph and I considered giving the fellow a wave as I passed.
But the flash fired.
As I've said, I have been passed hundreds of cameras and never been pinged. I have had radar guns pointed at me and after reading my speed the Cop has moved on to the next vehicle, never a problem.
But the flash fired.
I know from passed experience that my speedo is fine. My tyres are due for replacement so that should have even cut down my actual speed somewhat.
But the bloody flash fired!
So what could have possibly changed?
The only thing I can think of is the extra few PSI I added to the tyres two weeks ago. I usually run 34psi in all four tyres. When my car is serviced, Toyota reduce the pressure to 32, after which I add another two. Now, for the Aussies reading this, you will have probably seen the ads on TV saying that running a few extra PSI in your tyres increases your fuel efficiency by reducing drag on the road, and as such making your car somewhat better on the environment.
Two weeks ago I decided to give this a try.
For the first week I upped the tyre pressure to 40psi. Quite a jump.. all of 6. I checked my fuel consumption the next fill-up and the ads were correct. I had improved my fuel consumption. But 40psi is a lot of air in the tyres of a smooth riding 4 cylinder Camry, so last Friday I reduced the tyre pressure to 38psi which seemed to strike a nice balance. That was until today.
When the bloody flash fired!
I now await the portrait in the mail from the Queensland Police department. I know the look on my face will be one of calm oblivion. It's a pity they didn't get the shot AFTER THE BLOODY FLASH FIRED.
They had better have a bloody good excuse for pinging me because from what I can see I was perfectly within the speed limit and hence the law. I did not touch the brake because my conscious was clear.
I know I won't have much recourse. These days you're guilty until you can prove yourself innocent. I was alone in the car, no witnesses, and was not about to frantically grab for my phone to take a photo of my speedo. So I have almost resigned myself to contributing to the Charity of the Queensland Police Retirement Fund.
I can't remember who puts the ads on TV but if it comes to pass that it was tyre pressure that put me over the speed limit, I'll be writing a strongly worded letter to the RACQ advising them to inform motorists to be very careful when following the advice of ads on TV, and that they petition the stations to pull the ad from TV altogether.
I'm not impressed. Not impressed at all.
----
update: 27 February 2008
No ticket has arrived in the mail and it's been nearly 3 weeks. Looks like it was a stuff-up. Just as well, I say.
Not an uncommon occurrence these days, but in this instance completely unjustified.
How fast was I going? 110kph in a 110kph zone. Do you now see my confusion?
As I was traveling home this afternoon I, as per usually, got onto the highway, set the cruise control to 110kph (depending on road conditions) and then cruise my way to the 100kph speed zone at Cooroy.
I was on the Bruce passing North Arm, just north of Yandina, when in the distance I saw the camera car on the side of the road. It was sheltered under the overpass. I double checked my speed and the speedo said a perfect 110kph. I was the only car on that stretch of road at that moment. A car and a semi trailer were about 1 km behind me. I have been passed hundreds of speed cameras at 110kph and never been pinged ever, so I thought nothing of it. I was obeying the road rules and driving to the conditions.
About 300m out I noticed the policeman standing beside the van with the speed gun on me. It had to be me. I was the only one within range to aim at. I checked my speed again, all good there, needle still on 110kph and I considered giving the fellow a wave as I passed.
But the flash fired.
As I've said, I have been passed hundreds of cameras and never been pinged. I have had radar guns pointed at me and after reading my speed the Cop has moved on to the next vehicle, never a problem.
But the flash fired.
I know from passed experience that my speedo is fine. My tyres are due for replacement so that should have even cut down my actual speed somewhat.
But the bloody flash fired!
So what could have possibly changed?
The only thing I can think of is the extra few PSI I added to the tyres two weeks ago. I usually run 34psi in all four tyres. When my car is serviced, Toyota reduce the pressure to 32, after which I add another two. Now, for the Aussies reading this, you will have probably seen the ads on TV saying that running a few extra PSI in your tyres increases your fuel efficiency by reducing drag on the road, and as such making your car somewhat better on the environment.
Two weeks ago I decided to give this a try.
For the first week I upped the tyre pressure to 40psi. Quite a jump.. all of 6. I checked my fuel consumption the next fill-up and the ads were correct. I had improved my fuel consumption. But 40psi is a lot of air in the tyres of a smooth riding 4 cylinder Camry, so last Friday I reduced the tyre pressure to 38psi which seemed to strike a nice balance. That was until today.
When the bloody flash fired!
I now await the portrait in the mail from the Queensland Police department. I know the look on my face will be one of calm oblivion. It's a pity they didn't get the shot AFTER THE BLOODY FLASH FIRED.
They had better have a bloody good excuse for pinging me because from what I can see I was perfectly within the speed limit and hence the law. I did not touch the brake because my conscious was clear.
I know I won't have much recourse. These days you're guilty until you can prove yourself innocent. I was alone in the car, no witnesses, and was not about to frantically grab for my phone to take a photo of my speedo. So I have almost resigned myself to contributing to the Charity of the Queensland Police Retirement Fund.
I can't remember who puts the ads on TV but if it comes to pass that it was tyre pressure that put me over the speed limit, I'll be writing a strongly worded letter to the RACQ advising them to inform motorists to be very careful when following the advice of ads on TV, and that they petition the stations to pull the ad from TV altogether.
I'm not impressed. Not impressed at all.
----
update: 27 February 2008
No ticket has arrived in the mail and it's been nearly 3 weeks. Looks like it was a stuff-up. Just as well, I say.