Can one be prosecuted from a Speed Camera if your numberplate is too dirty?

Not asking for me

I was following a BMW estate today, and he was really having it down the 50 section of the A414.

He must of ripped past me at 70+ as I was going a steady 50. Camera went off (thankfully I am 100% I wasn't speeding) and when I caught him up at the roundabout, his numberplate was solid black from road dirt.

Now my reasoning is, surely if they cant read the plate, they cant identify the car.

Other part of me says that is too easy, and that people would purposely avoid washing their cars (esp at this time of year) for this reason. If they get pulled over they could probably spill a story of how it was washed only a few days ago and didnt realise it has got so dirty again.

What'dya reckon?

[MisterTommyH]

If the number is un-readable then you can be given a fixed penalty.

Originally Posted by hongman

Not asking for me

I was following a BMW estate today, and he was really having it down the 50 section of the A414.

He must of ripped past me at 70+ as I was going a steady 50. Camera went off (thankfully I am 100% I wasn't speeding) and when I caught him up at the roundabout, his numberplate was solid black from road dirt.

Now my reasoning is, surely if they cant read the plate, they cant identify the car.

Other part of me says that is too easy, and that people would purposely avoid washing their cars (esp at this time of year) for this reason. If they get pulled over they could probably spill a story of how it was washed only a few days ago and didnt realise it has got so dirty again.

What'dya reckon?

Not a valid excuse, if your driving it your required to ensure it meets the required standards for road use this includes visible number plates.
We're often out and about in our vehicles forwork, either last yr or the year before (not important) one of the geo guys got a fine for having an obscured number plate.
Bikes arnt exempt either, been given a bollocking myself for having a crudded up plate following some quarry riding.
We were pulling into a petrol station and instructed to wash our bikes at the jet wash before returning to the road.


He wont get done for the speeding, not worth the hassle of chasing it I'd imagine. But if he's seen with it in that way and plod has time, Im sure he'll be told to sort it.

Yes you can be prosecuted for a unreadable numberplate-----as to your heading I doubt if the camera would be able to identify the number through the dirt.

Yeah, I thought as much.

Altough with all this crap on the road, I've seen LOADS of cars with unreadable plates. Mine's getting close and I had it valeted a week ago.

[STRAMASHER]

Don't spray your mates bikes plates with WD40.

[andrewsmith]

as said plates should be readable.
Its like small plates and is up to the discretion of the officer stopping if a fines issued.

I just noticed your avatar, and sicked up a little in my mouth...

Depends on the camera. If it uses ANPR then how well the numberplate reflects infra-red, is more important than how well you can see it with the naked eye.

I guess so. But I'm talking caked in ****, literally the back end was just a blur of crud.

Im not supporting or endorsing the idea by the way - just a passing thought!