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Evidence

Supporting Evidence for Speedometer Tolerance

The following is a list of supporting evidence regarding knowledge by the Government as to the problem regarding speedometer error.

Basis of tolerence being applied to Infringement Notices

Basis of tolerance being applied to Infringement Notices

What the Victorian Regulations state What the Victorian Regulations state on vehicle speedometers
What the Walk Safety report states</span> What the Victorian Parliament Road Safety Committee report Walk Safety states.
Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services What the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services said.
Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services What the Victorian Parliament Road Safety Committee said.
Monash Accident Research Centre What Monash Accident Research Centre has to say.
What Victorian Government undertook to do What Victorian Government undertook to do.

In the Melbourne Magistrates case number S02748905 the charge was travelling at 66 km/h in 60 km/h zone.

Prosecutors Summary stated “The legislative tolerance of 3 kilometres per hour or 3% has been allowed in this matter.”

There is no reference to the word “Tolerance” in the Legislation with respect to measurement of speed. This word is only used once in the Victorian Road Safety (General) Regulations 1999 in clause 410 with respect to dynamic axle weighing devices.

What the Victorian Road Safety (General) Regulations 1999 do specify under regulation 306 is that:

  • detection equipment “indicate speed readings within a limit of error not greater than or less than 2 kilometres per hour or 2 per cent (whichever is greater) of the true speeds” and

  • “indicate speed readings within a limit of error not greater than or less than 3 kilometres per hour or 3 per cent (whichever is greater) of the true speeds”

Whether 2% or 3% applies varies depending on which type of device is being used. In common language terms, a radar device is 2% and a speed camera 3%. The detail is provided under regulation 302 of the Regulations.

These are not a references to Legislative tolerance with respect to compliance with Road Rule 20. They are statements regarding the accuracy of the measurement device, the speed camera or radar device.