The Truth Behind Falsely Accusing Drivers of Speeding

Drivers often wonder if it's possible for police officers to falsely accuse them of speeding and issue traffic tickets unjustly. It's a legitimate concern, but the reality is that such practices are extremely rare and difficult to sustain.

Officers' Motivations and Realities

Many people believe that police officers might falsely accuse drivers of speeding with the motive to harass law-abiding citizens. However, for most officers, the primary goal is to prevent accidents and protect the public, rather than to issue tickets for sport. Furthermore, the majority of traffic officers do not enjoy writing tickets; their main duties are to ensure road safety and catch actual lawbreakers like drug-impaired drivers or those involved in fatal accidents.

According to a former traffic officer, the process of writing speeding tickets can be tedious and time-consuming. They can write a speeding ticket every six minutes, which includes stopping the vehicle, writing the citation, taking notes, and setting up for another citation. This process is so efficient that it can be completed in 20 seconds or less, even when issuing a relatively minor citation like 10 mph over the limit. This highlights the futility of attempting to falsely accuse a driver. Officers have a clear, straightforward method to catch speeders, and fabricating evidence would be counterproductive.

Why Falsely Accusing is Ineffective

Falsely accusing a driver in court is almost impossible to get away with. It is his word against yours, and if there are no cameras to support your claim, your career might be jeopardized. This is a significant deterrent and ensures that honest officers do not risk their careers over false accusations.

Despite the stringent measures in place, false accusations still occur. Many police officers still rely on manually pacing vehicles to estimate speed, leading to inaccuracies and unfair ticketing. For instance, a driver cited for speeding over 25 km/h might be surprised to learn that their vehicle was less capable of reaching such speeds on a flat road, let alone on a steep incline as was the case with the author's experience. Even modern technology like GPS cameras cannot fully prevent these occurrences as other officers might still claim offenses based on inconclusive evidence.

The Role of Modern Technology

While police can use outdated methods to determine speed, modern technology like GPS cameras can help mitigate the issue. GPS cameras not only capture the speed reading accurately but also provide objective evidence. Timing visible objects or markings on the road is a more reliable method than relying on an officer's estimation of speed, especially in cases where manual pacing is involved.

Our state has made significant progress in reducing such practices, but it is crucial to remain vigilant. The issue was addressed after a Royal Commission that cost tens of millions of dollars, and it led to increased scrutiny from the courts and media. Even still, the possibility of officers lying in court and claiming offenses that cameras clearly show did not happen remains a concern.

Conclusion

The practice of falsely accusing drivers of speeding is incredibly rare and highly unlikely to benefit an officer in the long run. Modern technology and enhanced oversight have significantly reduced such occurrences. However, vigilance is still necessary to ensure that law enforcement remains fair and transparent.