Flashed camera, car was not even there

[Kam]

I have just received a fixed penalty for driving at 38mph ina 30mph zone. Problem is that the car on the 14/01/2007 was flashed driving on some road in Bristol.
Even though evreyone in my house uses the car, no one had driven to Bristol or anywhere near that area on that date. In fact the car has not been out of london this side of the year.

I will be writing to them to prove a picture of the car and the person driving.

Has anyone ever had a problem like that before?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Sorry to hear that. Are you able to prove where your family members were that day, ie school, work, etc?

I've heard of such things but don't know anyone that's suffered from it. I would imagine the car will be the same colour/model as your own.

Although the new tighter rules on getting registration plates made up has probably helped a little, the fact that "show plates" not intended road use do not require the same rigour means that plates can still be made up.

With the growing use of cameras, ANPR, congestion charging, etc. the benefit of driving around with somebody else's registration number on your car is growing - and where there's a will, there's a way.

 

[Benzowner]

Yes, my daughter had the same problem alledgedly driving in Peterborough. She phoned the number on the form and asked to check the photograph, she was told it was a black Civic after she had told them her car was a green Daewoo Matiz. They checked with DVLA and all was dropped. I am sure there are individuals out there who just put any plate on a car and try to get away with it.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I am sure there are individuals out there who just put any plate on a car and try to get away with it.

You're right there probably are some lazy beggars out there who put any old registration number on, and it would be fine for fooling automated systems, but not as good for fooling people, like police, traffic wardens, etc. Far more likely for it to go un-noticed if the vehicles match.

In for a penny in for a pound, if someone is willing to do it, they may as well put a little extra effort in to avoid getting found it!!

 

[Kam]

Apologies for the delay
The camera enforcement company asked for a photo of the front and rear of the car, which i had sent. Then replied back saying that it was not my car.
Did not point out the fact that some body could be driving around with my plates on their car

 

[BonzoDog]

Apologies for the delay
The camera enforcement company asked for a photo of the front and rear of the car, which i had sent. Then replied back saying that it was not my car.
Did not point out the fact that some body could be driving around with my plates on their car

A satisfactory result but slightly disturbing that you had to prove your innocence.

 

[grober]

Report this to the DVLA IN WRITING IMMEDIATELY including a copy of the communication from the camera company and ask for a dated written acknowledgement of receipt of your communication. Or send an Email asking for a receipt to . [email protected]

 

[Rose Chap]

A satisfactory result but slightly disturbing that you had to prove your innocence.

Agreed. Seems that you're guilty until proven innocent here. How enlightened.

 

[masqueraid]

Grober's right, let the DVLA know there's someone out there using your plate, Otherwise there are at least two unfortunate sequelae that could come from this:

1) outstanding penalty notice which could be assigned to the registration mark

2) Possibility of you being pulled over because someone in Bristol has committed a more serious offence with your plates

 

[graeme73s]

two hopefully interesting points.
my business partner got flashed by a camera in Radlett, Herts. The standard form admiting liability clearly stated that they would not supply the photographic evidence upon request which I personally thought was very naughty.
Secondly a chap I know avoided the congestion charge for quite a while disguising the letter C as an E by careful use of electrical tape. He was sitting at a set of lights in central london and was wondering why the lights seemed to take an age to change. Five police cars boxed him in and he is now in an aweful lot of trouble. Technology is a wonderful thing.

 

[Dieselman]

Sorry graeme but I did have to laugh.

 

[Plodd]

Secondly a chap I know avoided the congestion charge for quite a while disguising the letter C as an E by careful use of electrical tape. He was sitting at a set of lights in central london and was wondering why the lights seemed to take an age to change. Five police cars boxed him in and he is now in an aweful lot of trouble. Technology is a wonderful thing.

Ah, fraudulently altering a registration mark. Can carry a term of imprisonment. He probably doesn't feel quite so clever now.

Pointless informing the DVLA about cloned plates, they won't be interested and there's little they can do. You really need to inform your local Police to get a marker placed on the P.N.C.

 

[gazz]

I used to have a Landcruiser with a VIL**** irish plate on it. The number plates were stolen from it one night, and I informed the police. I was stopped and questioned five times in the following few weeks. I sold the car to a friend, who is still being stopped and questioned now...

At least they are doing their job!!