Driver Given Speeding Fine Despite His Car Being PARKED At The Time

A driver was stunned when he received a £100 speeding fine - despite his car being parked at the side of the road at the time.

David Copeland had stopped off for a Chinese takeaway at the time a speed camera flashed his stationary vehicle.

One week later he received a penalty notice and three points added to his license.

The dad-of-two was told the fine had been issued on behalf of West Mercia Police who, after investigating the case, realised a passing motorbike had actually triggered the camera on Station Road in Ketley, Shropshire.

But instead of fining the bike rider, the camera instead picked up the plate of Dave’s Vauxhall Zafira.

He explained: “I had only popped in for a Chinese takeaway.

"The next thing I know I’d committed a motoring offence while I was inside picking up Special Chow Mein and rice for me and the missus.

"I’m not sure there are many people that can say they have been done for speeding while their car was stationary and empty.

"I was pretty shocked to say the least. I could not believe it. I was left scratching my head thinking I’d gone mad.”

Dave Perridge, operations manager for the Safer Roads Partnership, said the fine has since been cancelled and blamed “human error” for the mix up.

He added: "Our film checker was distraught that she got it wrong but we do thousands of these notices and invariably mistakes can happen.

"Most of the time we are right but we weren’t on this occasion and we apologised to the motorist involved and withdrew the notice.

The AA said that the number of speed camera mistakes has soared because in many cases they are reliant on automated systems.

A spokesman added: "There is a danger that faulty notices bring the entire system into serious disrepute.”