News

A driver of a Ford Transit Connect has successfully challenged a speeding ticket by using vehicle tracking technology installed in the vehicle.

Gareth Powell was clocked doing 61mph in a 50mph zone by a speed gun on the A4174 near Bristol on 28 November 2008. He was working as an employee at MD Building Services Ltd.

Powell contacted Navman Wireless , whose vehicle tracking records proved that the van had been travelling at 48mph.

He said: "I'm an extremely careful driver and I was certain I hadn't broken the law."

The case was dismissed by the District Judge at Bath & Wansdyke Magistrates Court on 30 October.

Navman Wireless IT director Barry Neill, who attended the court hearing as an expert witness, says: "The GPS fix on Gareth's vehicle from the tracking system was excellent when he was clocked by the speed gun. He adds: "The eight satellites locating his vehicle were advantageously positioned. Under good conditions, GPS tracking technology is accurate to within three metres."