Friday, 27 August 2010 14:31

A motorist from Lancing has been found guilty of two counts of careless driving while trying to avoid a Gatso speed camera by driving on the wrong side of the road.

Hugo Edward Smart of Elm Grove, Lancing, pleaded not guilty to two charges of careless driving at Worthing Magistrates Court on August 25 2010.

In order to avoid the Gatso safety camera for westbound traffic he drove on the opposite carriageway of the A259 Brighton Road, Shoreham on two consecutive nights in December last year. He was recorded driving at 48 and 50 mph in the 30 mph zone. The 21 year old’s barrister tried to argue the speed camera was not working correctly or may even have been set off by low flying aircraft– something evidence from Sussex Police and the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership proved was false.

Ken Seymour, Manager of the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, said: “It’s disappointing to learn the lengths some people will go to to avoid detection from safety cameras. The conviction proves the best way to avoid gaining points on your licence is to remain within the speed limit."

Ian Jeffrey, Sussex Police Traffic Management Officer, added: “The technical evidence in this case was compelling. By working with the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership and Road Safety Support, Sussex Police have managed to secure this conviction which sends out a clear message that we are serious about making our roads safer and that speeding motorists will not be tolerated.”

Smart was fined £300 for each charge and given 10 penalty points on his licence. He was ordered to pay £2,400 in prosecution costs and a surcharge of £15, making a total of £3015.