Driver exposes speed camera error

Kris Haskins checked his speed using an internet programme

The accuracy of speed cameras has been called into question after a man clocked at over 50mph proved he was actually travelling well under the limit.

Kris Haskins said he was amazed to receive a penalty notice from the Dorset Road Safety Camera partnership, accusing him of driving at 51mph in a 30mph zone in Sandford, near Wareham.

Mr Haskins obtained the photographs used as evidence and was able to work out with the aid of the internet that his actual speed was just 13.2mph.

The partnership says the error was due to the camera's radar being triggered by a reflected image.

Mr Haskins, who is deputy mayor of Portland Town Council, told the BBC: "The first thing was to obtain the photographs from the police, and when I'd got those the only way was to go onto the internet and work the distances out."

The camera partnership has apologised for the error, saying it was "an extremely rare occurrence and a known radar phenomenon".

Mr Haskins said he thought it was likely other drivers had been wrongly penalised.

He said many people would not know they could check it themselves, as the fixed penalty notices did not make it clear that it was possible to obtain the film from the camera.