Speeding Ticket, Reckless Driving... Speed Calibration?

Question

I got a driving ticket back on a holiday last year. The cop said I was doing 92 in a 65 which makes it reckless driving in Virginia. I WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST! The cop was already on a traffic stop or either just got done with one because he was on the side of the road with his lights activated with a car pulled over when I passed through. I saw the cop from a big distance because it was a pretty flat straight road I was on I-81 to be exact. Looked down on my speed when I saw the cop lights and seen it was doing approximately 73 - 75 and didn't even think twice about breaking my speed because I wasn't speeding excessively. Well low and behold the cop pulls up behind me and pulls me over saying I was doing 92. Me and my friend both frowned our faces and was like WHAT, NO WAY! Oh well it is what it is... I know the cop is probably trying to make that little city some money or something. Easy target for cops because it's interstate driving and a lot Virginians drive through there because it's right near the Tennessee state line. I though he could have been pulling me over because I had a temp tag on my car because I just registered my car in Virginia and they haven't gave me my perm tag yet and he was just checking it out. Now my question is should I get speed calibration because my truck does have 22 inch rims...could that throw off my speedometer? Even though I dont think it would throw it off that much. Or maybe something could have thrown off his reading. I planning on going back there to fight the ticket. Is there something that I should ask them that could help my case? Something like radar calibration records, cops certification on using the radar, etc... Any help would be appreciated on how I can fight this ticket.

Update:

I know I was going to get at least one idiotic pig/cop comment on this claiming cops are never wrong. Please have some courtesy and not post unless you will post something helpful. If you are going to say something along the lines of "you're lucky he didn't take you to jail" or "Just fess up, you know you were speeding." Just for the guy that did make that comment of whizzing by cars 20 to 30 faster... All I can say is I smell bacon... you wasn't there idiot. In fact, just a few 100 yards back 2 or 3 cars passed right by me but I'm going faster than all other cars, right? Freaking cops always believe the cop is right. Explain to me if radars are so accurate how did these things clock a tree going 78 MPH. I know they claim these thing have progressed a lot more since then and are pretty much dead accurate but they said that back then also. Just let you guys know getting a calibration will help your case. Maybe not in your state it doesn't but in Virginia it does. The judge wil

q S · Accepted Answer

When you are going almost 100mph the police officer isn't able to see your temporary license plate. He pulled you over because you were probably the fastest car he was going to see that day. It boggles my mind that you had no clue your speed was so high as you zipped by the other cars at 20 or 30mph faster than they were going !!!!

Unfortunately the 22 inch rims grossly affected the speedometer reading in your vehicle. When you purchased the wheels they probably showed you a little card so that you could estimate your speed until you were able to get the speedometer re calibrated. I'm willing to bet your car was designed to meet safety standards with no larger than 18 inch wheels.

Unfortunately failing to re calibrate the speedometer will not help you in court. In fact when you bring it up - it will be the same as confessing to the judge.

The police radar unit is only "calibrated" one time in it's approximately 10 year life span. The unit was calibrated by the manufacturer in a special lab that meets FCC specifications. There is no provision or method for the calibration to be altered in the field. The police officer is allowed to "verify" it's calibration. This could be done with tuning forks. Some units have an internal test feature that is activated by pressing a button. When the police officer is driving he can look at the patrol car speed window on the radar unit and compare it with his certified and calibrated speedometer. The radar units are designed to military specifications I have never seen a radar that wasn't perfectly calibrated. The radars are set up to lock in on the fastest moving target in the beam or absent a large variable in speed the largest target in the beam. This gives them the ability to lock in on a motorcycle going 100mph passing a semi truck. 

You can bet that radar unit lit up like a Christmas tree when you blasted by at almost 100mph.

marne · Answer

Speedometer Calibration Speeding Ticket

ornery and mean · Answer

Actually, if your speedometer is calibrated for 15 inch tires (common truck tire size) and you are running 22 inch tires ... you might have been going that fast, even though your speedometer registered 75.

You should get your speedometer calibrated to your new tire size, or change back to the tires your vehicle normally takes.  Either way, modifications that affect the accuracy of your speedometer are not a valid excuse for speeding.  

You might be stuck paying for this ticket, but getting your speedometer calibrated might keep you from getting more.

WRG · Answer

If the overall size of your wheels and tires has increased from what your speedometer was set for then your speedometer will indicate a lower speed than you are actually going.

This is not a defense to a traffic ticket.

Patricia · Answer

You need to have your speedometer checked.  Yes, your wheel size and even new tires can affect your speed.  That will not be a defense of the ticket, but it may keep you from getting another one.

Bice Lake · Answer

yes wheel size other than stock with affect your speedometer, other than that get a lawyer.

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Speeding Ticket, Reckless Driving... Speed Calibration?

6 Answers