I have recently been served with a fixed penalty for speeding, the first alleged offence in over 50 years of driving.

As a result I have done quite a lot of research into the system in recent days and have attached a piece from the private motorists perspective.

I have been asked by post for £60 to avoid further trouble, that there is evidence that I committed an offence and could end up in court! The police allege I was exceeding a 30mph speed limit by doing 40, when over 100 yards away from them and I reckon I wasn't. But the policeman is an "expert witness" under the Road Traffic Act, that gives him the power to allege I was speeding using an "approved instrument". I have to prove I wasn't. The "approved instrument" in this case is a USA-built LTI20.20 Lasertech, which has shown a court wall in the USA travelling at 4mph, so there are rather strict rules on how it should be used, but you can't get a copy of them.

They have refused to disclose all the evidence that I have done anything wrong, they just say that they have it and when asked questions, refuse to answer, saying they are not obliged to unless I fail to pay up and contest their allegations in court. This of course could cost me a lot of money something like £1,500 plus VAT, even if I win.

Motorists can never really prove that they were not speeding. The police did not stop or speak to me or even show they had used their "approved instrument" properly, but sent a fixed penalty notice for £60. Speeding is known as an "absolute offence", even travelling at 31mph in a 30mph area. That is why 91 per cent of motorists accused of speeding just have to pay up. To be fair, speed cameras are usually set at 35mph in a 30mph area to allow for these inaccuracies.

I will now look at policing in this country in an entirely different light and can now see where the real priorities lie.

Speeding allegations are very hard to contest and fixed penalty notices are big earners, over £17m taken in fines last year and the police do get a lot of the money back. The courts will usually believe the police on speeding allegations.

Like most drivers I concentrate more on the road ahead and what is going on around me. I try to drive at about 30mph in built up areas, with glances at the speedometer to confirm I am not going too fast.

Should I take my eyes off the road more often to keep to 29.99 mph? Perhaps not, at 70 years of age I cannot easily change the habits of over 50 years of safe driving, but have to pay up or else and probably get my insurance premium raised next time as well.

Name and Address Supplied