Radar Speed Checks

Sir,
At Godalming County Court on Friday, January 21st, after a hearing that lasted 7 1/2 hours with a 1 1/4 hour retirement by the Magistrates, Mr. B.V. Whaley of Euromic Engineering Limited was found not guilty to a charge of driving at 53 m.p.h. in a 40 m.p.h. limit.

During 1 hours cross-examination Dr. D.M.J.P. Manley PH.D. B.Sc. A.Inst.P., A.I.M.E.E. A.M.Britt. I.R.E., of Norcol Limited, 147 London Road, Camberley, criticised the calibration procedure of the instrument used and said also that a chain link fence situated on the far side of the road could cause diffraction effect, resulting in an error reading of the meter as if a faster car had been overtaking. Mrs. Rowena Longhurst, Chairman of the Bench. said : “We are prepared to believe that the fence did have some effect on the radar reading.”

Guildford, D.M.J.P. Manley.