Tuesday, 09 March 2010 13:18

Sussex Police have withdrawn a number of fixed penalty notices following the identification of a minor discrepancy with a DVD Recorder, Concept II.

Through the nationwide road safety network, an issue around the Type Approval status of the Concept II DVD Recorder has come to light, prompting Sussex Police to immediately revoke approximately 200 fines and associated licence points given to motorists for speeding offences recorded using the Concept II device.

The equipment at the centre of the issue is a Concept II DVD Recording device, which is an updated version of the original Concept DVD System.  The Concept ll has completed Type Approval testing successfully, but has yet to receive the Minister’s signature.

The original Concept system has Home Office Type Approval when used in conjunction with the UltraLyte 1000 laser meter.  However, the Ultralyte Type Approval documentation only refers to Concept DVD System, without specifying any particular model, hence the misunderstanding.

In light of this issue, fines will be refunded and penalty points will be removed from driving licences for anyone recorded speeding by the Concept II system since it was first brought into operation by Sussex Police.  The letters to affected drivers have begun to be posted.

All equipment used has to undergo stringent testing under the direction of the Home Office and once it has passed it is then authorised for use with a signature from the Road Safety Minister.  This includes all of the fixed and mobile speed detection devices currently used by Sussex Police and the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP).

Superintendent Steve Barry, Head of Roads Policing, Sussex Police, comments:

“The new combination of the UtraLyte 1000 and Concept II device does not affect the competency of the operator or laser meter, however, in the interests of securing the integrity of all the equipment used, Sussex Police as the prosecuting authority in this matter has decided to take this action.

“This issue only affects the Concept II DVD recording system.  No other equipment used by the Partnership is affected. The UltraLyte 1000 remains in operational use as a fully Type Approved device.

“All other equipment used by the SSRP has full type approval from the Home Office and when this issue was identified, it was immediately withdrawn from service.  Concept ll has been withdrawn from service until fully authorised with the signature of the Minister.

“It must be remembered that excess speed is a significant cause of serious and fatal injuries across Sussex, and Sussex Police, together with the SSRP, are working to make the roads safer for all users.  We will continue to use the latest Home Office Type Approved equipment in our work to reduce casualties and save lives.”