Hey everyone. I've been trolling the forums for a while and finally decided to join up tonight. I have a few random questions, and I'm hoping this knowledgeable community can help me out! First off, I am a student, and one day would like to pursue a career in law to some degree. I am curious about a recent case, where person I know was charged with stunt driving for his alleged speed. He was issued two part 3 summons, one for speeding, and one for the stunt driving offense under HTA s.172. A few questions: 1) Why two charges for the same thing? (50 over the posted limit) 2) If the officer wrote "Racing" as the charge, and simply the section (172) on the summons notice, does this constitute a fatal error? If so or if not, what are the associated stipulations with this? We're under the impression that the summons should have been worded "perform stunt, to wit: 50 over, contrary to s. 172, subs. 1". Instead the word Racing appears, and in the section field it just says 172. No subs. 3) The constable claims to have observed a speed just above 50 over, verified with radar, and then paced the vehicle at the higher speed (for which the summons were issued). The problem is that he claims to have paced at a great distance (a few hundred metres, which seems very far away) for one mile. One version of his notes says paced for 1 mile and the other says 2 miles. Not only does this seem improbable, AND unreliable (2 versions of conflicting notes), but based on the assumptions of total distance traveled, and the police vehicle's ability to accelerate, the version in his notes seems mathematically impossible. Is this enough to cast reasonable doubt on the evidence or is an expert witness required to verify the impossibility of these actions? 4) Once the accused observed the (unmarked) police vehicle approaching with its lights on, the accused pulled over. The officer immediately jumped out of the police vehicle and drew his weapon, pointing it at the accused through his open window. This happened in the light of day, and the accused became fearful for his life. Is there any reasonable grounds for the officer to have drawn his firearm during a traffic stop? Is there any recourse for the accused, or any way in which the accused can lodge a formal complaint against the officer for these actions, or would this be a useless exercise? This case seemed so strange to me, and when the facts were presented to me I was shocked, and it prompted me to learn more about the laws at play here and the options available to the accused. Thanks! SLYK

Topic

HTA172 and police conduct

by: Slyk on

25 Replies

User avatar
Radar Identified
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 2881
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:26 pm
Location: Toronto

Re: HTA172 and police conduct

So, realistically, Constable Donnelley's testimony was probably pretty darn close to accurate. Let's replace Constable Tapp with a civilian in a similar situation. OPP officer in unmarked vehicle follows speeder and does not have radar, verifies speed by following said vehicle and using speedometer only. Is the observation by following and checking the speedometer sufficient to lay a charge?

Reflections wrote:

Don't forget to find parking, lets drop 20 minutes off the travel time for the 401-DVP-Queens park route and 48 minute to travel 118KM. Lets see 6 goes into 48 8 times........divide 118 by 8 and multiple by 10 and survey says 147.5 KM/H "average". Nope he never even came close to 150..........

So, realistically, Constable Donnelley's testimony was probably pretty darn close to accurate.

hwybear wrote:

The cruiser was not "run through radar" to confirm that the speedometer was in fact working properly.

Let's replace Constable Tapp with a civilian in a similar situation. OPP officer in unmarked vehicle follows speeder and does not have radar, verifies speed by following said vehicle and using speedometer only. Is the observation by following and checking the speedometer sufficient to lay a charge?

User avatar
Slyk
Jr. Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:59 pm
Location: South Western Ontario

Re: HTA172 and police conduct

So, realistically, Constable Donnelley's testimony was probably pretty darn close to accurate. Let's replace Constable Tapp with a civilian in a similar situation. OPP officer in unmarked vehicle follows speeder and does not have radar, verifies speed by following said vehicle and using speedometer only. Is the observation by following and checking the speedometer sufficient to lay a charge? yeah, calibrated speedometer :roll: Usually stands up in court

Radar Identified wrote:

Reflections wrote:

Don't forget to find parking, lets drop 20 minutes off the travel time for the 401-DVP-Queens park route and 48 minute to travel 118KM. Lets see 6 goes into 48 8 times........divide 118 by 8 and multiple by 10 and survey says 147.5 KM/H "average". Nope he never even came close to 150..........

So, realistically, Constable Donnelley's testimony was probably pretty darn close to accurate.

hwybear wrote:

The cruiser was not "run through radar" to confirm that the speedometer was in fact working properly.

Let's replace Constable Tapp with a civilian in a similar situation. OPP officer in unmarked vehicle follows speeder and does not have radar, verifies speed by following said vehicle and using speedometer only. Is the observation by following and checking the speedometer sufficient to lay a charge?

yeah, calibrated speedometer :roll: Usually stands up in court

SLYK
-------------
"Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny." - Edmund Burke"

"Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal" - MLK Jr.
User avatar
hwybear
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 2934
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:21 am
Location: In YOUR rearview mirror!

Posting Awards

Re: HTA172 and police conduct

Let's replace Constable Tapp with a civilian in a similar situation. OPP officer in unmarked vehicle follows speeder and does not have radar, verifies speed by following said vehicle and using speedometer only. Is the observation by following and checking the speedometer sufficient to lay a charge? For all paces we (at least my court area....and the 3 surrounding ones) require that the patrol vehicle speedometer has been checked by radar or lidar comparison to obtain a conviction from a pace on a speedometer.

Radar Identified wrote:

hwybear wrote:

The cruiser was not "run through radar" to confirm that the speedometer was in fact working properly.

Let's replace Constable Tapp with a civilian in a similar situation. OPP officer in unmarked vehicle follows speeder and does not have radar, verifies speed by following said vehicle and using speedometer only. Is the observation by following and checking the speedometer sufficient to lay a charge?

For all paces we (at least my court area....and the 3 surrounding ones) require that the patrol vehicle speedometer has been checked by radar or lidar comparison to obtain a conviction from a pace on a speedometer.

Above is merely a suggestion/thought and in no way constitutes legal advice or views of my employer. www.OHTA.ca
User avatar
Slyk
Jr. Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:59 pm
Location: South Western Ontario

Re: HTA172 and police conduct

Let's replace Constable Tapp with a civilian in a similar situation. OPP officer in unmarked vehicle follows speeder and does not have radar, verifies speed by following said vehicle and using speedometer only. Is the observation by following and checking the speedometer sufficient to lay a charge? For all paces we (at least my court area....and the 3 surrounding ones) require that the patrol vehicle speedometer has been checked by radar or lidar comparison to obtain a conviction from a pace on a speedometer. From what I understand, those CVPI speedometers are calibrated and recalibrated every so often... if the Crown can provide sufficient evidence that the speedo had been calibrated adequately, it will stand up in court. The evidence can either be testimony from an expert witness who calibrated the unit, or a certificate or certificates of calibration that are signed.

hwybear wrote:

Radar Identified wrote:

hwybear wrote:

The cruiser was not "run through radar" to confirm that the speedometer was in fact working properly.

Let's replace Constable Tapp with a civilian in a similar situation. OPP officer in unmarked vehicle follows speeder and does not have radar, verifies speed by following said vehicle and using speedometer only. Is the observation by following and checking the speedometer sufficient to lay a charge?

For all paces we (at least my court area....and the 3 surrounding ones) require that the patrol vehicle speedometer has been checked by radar or lidar comparison to obtain a conviction from a pace on a speedometer.

From what I understand, those CVPI speedometers are calibrated and recalibrated every so often... if the Crown can provide sufficient evidence that the speedo had been calibrated adequately, it will stand up in court.

The evidence can either be testimony from an expert witness who calibrated the unit, or a certificate or certificates of calibration that are signed.

SLYK
-------------
"Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny." - Edmund Burke"

"Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal" - MLK Jr.
User avatar
Radar Identified
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 2881
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:26 pm
Location: Toronto

Re: HTA172 and police conduct

Highway Safety Division around here was running a couple of pace cars without radar/lidar... and issuing PON from them. I have no idea about conviction rates. Strange that there's apparently no provincial court standard for requiring radar/lidar backup... oh wait, it isn't strange because it would make sense.

hwybear wrote:

For all paces we (at least my court area....and the 3 surrounding ones) require that the patrol vehicle speedometer has been checked by radar or lidar comparison to obtain a conviction from a pace on a speedometer.

Highway Safety Division around here was running a couple of pace cars without radar/lidar... and issuing PON from them. I have no idea about conviction rates.

Strange that there's apparently no provincial court standard for requiring radar/lidar backup... oh wait, it isn't strange because it would make sense.

User avatar
ticketcombat
Sr. Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 486
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:59 pm
Location: Toronto

Re: HTA172 and police conduct

What I don't get is these trained OPP officers can't tell the difference between 180 km/h and 100km/h as they're driving? If you drive through a school zone, can you tell if you're going 40km/h or 120km/h without looking at the speedometer? Reflections: OPP get free parking under the building. Primo spots too! No need to deduct time. Also, how much traffic is there at 4 in the morning? Seriously.

hwybear wrote:

So without any evidence to confirm the visual observation...what do we have? no evidence!

What I don't get is these trained OPP officers can't tell the difference between 180 km/h and 100km/h as they're driving? If you drive through a school zone, can you tell if you're going 40km/h or 120km/h without looking at the speedometer?

Reflections: OPP get free parking under the building. Primo spots too! No need to deduct time. Also, how much traffic is there at 4 in the morning? Seriously.

Fight Your Ticket!
User avatar
Reflections
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 1489
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:49 pm
Location: somewhere in traffic

Re: HTA172 and police conduct

Lets say they stopped for a couple of red lights....The numbers still say they were speeding.......by a large number

Lets say they stopped for a couple of red lights....The numbers still say they were speeding.......by a large number

http://www.OHTA.ca OR http://www.OntarioTrafficAct.com
User avatar
BelSlySTi
Member
Member
Posts: 222
Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:35 am

Re: HTA172 and police conduct

NO, Remember it,s against Tapps ethics, that whole case was a waste of time and money! Can he take legal action against the OPP or that other Constable?

Reflections wrote:

Lets say they stopped for a couple of red lights....The numbers still say they were speeding.......by a large number

NO, Remember it,s against Tapps ethics, that whole case was a waste of time and money!

Can he take legal action against the OPP or that other Constable?

[img]http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l352/toastedwhitebread/Untitled-TrueColor-03.jpg[/img]
User avatar
Radar Identified
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 2881
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:26 pm
Location: Toronto

Re: HTA172 and police conduct

If you're from Toronto: No. :shock: I think so. He's already filed four complaints with the Human Rights Commission against the OPP so I can't see why he wouldn't sue them now. Apparently frivolous charge laid (at least if you look at the trial outcome only as opposed to the math), dragged his name publicly through the mud, he's found innocent... could be grounds for a lawsuit.

ticketcombat wrote:

If you drive through a school zone, can you tell if you're going 40km/h or 120km/h without looking at the speedometer?

If you're from Toronto: No. :shock:

BelSlySTi wrote:

Can he take legal action against the OPP or that other Constable?

I think so. He's already filed four complaints with the Human Rights Commission against the OPP so I can't see why he wouldn't sue them now. Apparently frivolous charge laid (at least if you look at the trial outcome only as opposed to the math), dragged his name publicly through the mud, he's found innocent... could be grounds for a lawsuit.

johnnycrash
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 7:24 pm

Re: HTA172 and police conduct

I know this is an old thread, but I am curious hwybear about that statement. That since no calibration was done on the speedometer, and there was no other speed measuring device that this would not prove to be sufficient evidence to support a charge of speeding, and that since the defendant did not know his speed at the time, that this would be accepted as evidence to the contrary? I thought when you testified that you were unaware of your speed at the time that it would make you seem unreliable in court. What exactly does the crown need to have Prima facie to a charge of speeding either under s.172 or under s.128? And to obtain a conviction? Sorry, I am just curious.

hwybear wrote:

Not to mention that case does not have radar/lidar involved. The cruiser was not "run through radar" to confirm that the speedometer was in fact working properly. There was no "black box" download from the cruiser to obtain a speed either. So without any evidence to confirm the visual observation...what do we have? no evidence!

Nothing to do with "going with the flow of traffic".

I know this is an old thread, but I am curious hwybear about that statement.

That since no calibration was done on the speedometer, and there was no other speed measuring device that this would not prove to be sufficient evidence to support a charge of speeding, and that since the defendant did not know his speed at the time, that this would be accepted as evidence to the contrary? I thought when you testified that you were unaware of your speed at the time that it would make you seem unreliable in court.

What exactly does the crown need to have Prima facie to a charge of speeding either under s.172 or under s.128? And to obtain a conviction?

Sorry, I am just curious.

User avatar
hwybear
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 2934
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:21 am
Location: In YOUR rearview mirror!

Posting Awards

Re: HTA172 and police conduct

Sheesh, had to read the whole post to find out what the thread was about. I don't think saying you were unaware of the speed, would make a person unreliable. When I drove to work today, I can not tell you what speed I was driving....I'll guess from 40-60km/hr in a 50 & 60 zone as I always travel in that variable. Unless stopped at the time or told, how would a specific speed trigger a spot in my mind to remember. There are many pieces of evidence required for a speeding/stunt offence. It also is different for each method radar/lidar/pacing or aircraft.

Sheesh, had to read the whole post to find out what the thread was about.

I don't think saying you were unaware of the speed, would make a person unreliable. When I drove to work today, I can not tell you what speed I was driving....I'll guess from 40-60km/hr in a 50 & 60 zone as I always travel in that variable. Unless stopped at the time or told, how would a specific speed trigger a spot in my mind to remember.

There are many pieces of evidence required for a speeding/stunt offence. It also is different for each method radar/lidar/pacing or aircraft.

Above is merely a suggestion/thought and in no way constitutes legal advice or views of my employer. www.OHTA.ca

Similar Topics