Anyone know the speedometer calibration error?
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From: Houston, TX
2019 E450 Sedan 4Matic
Anyone know the speedometer calibration error?
Ok I got my first speeding ticket earlier today and I've made up my mind to contest it. The officer used a radar (not laser) gun to find my speed and there was considerable traffic all around me. His gun indicated a speed of 70 mph, all the while I was going 70mph in the digital display. I know most all common manufacturers have around a 5 to 10% error (put on purpose) on their speedometers. I know that BMWs use a tolerance of 10% + 2.4 mph calculation and tests do show around the 10% mark.
I couldn't get any information on the calibration error of Mercedes vehicles but I'm assuming its at the very least 5% . Also when he put up his lights (coming from the opposite lane) I just got view of him, there was a van infront of me, which leads me to believe I wasn't the car he really targetted because he couldn't have possibly pointed the gun at my car, read the number and put up his lights milliseconds after coming into view of my car.
Any thoughts on what my chances are with the judge? Anyone have experiences with contesting tickets? I'd hate to see my rates go up and have to pay $200 when I have doubts I was actually going that fast and that I was the target.
I couldn't get any information on the calibration error of Mercedes vehicles but I'm assuming its at the very least 5% . Also when he put up his lights (coming from the opposite lane) I just got view of him, there was a van infront of me, which leads me to believe I wasn't the car he really targetted because he couldn't have possibly pointed the gun at my car, read the number and put up his lights milliseconds after coming into view of my car.
Any thoughts on what my chances are with the judge? Anyone have experiences with contesting tickets? I'd hate to see my rates go up and have to pay $200 when I have doubts I was actually going that fast and that I was the target.
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From: Tucson, Az
10 GLK350/ 15 Accord/ 94 Supra Turbo
Ok I got my first speeding ticket earlier today and I've made up my mind to contest it. The officer used a radar (not laser) gun to find my speed and there was considerable traffic all around me. His gun indicated a speed of 70 mph, all the while I was going 70mph in the digital display. I know most all common manufacturers have around a 5 to 10% error (put on purpose) on their speedometers. I know that BMWs use a tolerance of 10% + 2.4 mph calculation and tests do show around the 10% mark.
I couldn't get any information on the calibration error of Mercedes vehicles but I'm assuming its at the very least 5% . Also when he put up his lights (coming from the opposite lane) I just got view of him, there was a van infront of me, which leads me to believe I wasn't the car he really targetted because he couldn't have possibly pointed the gun at my car, read the number and put up his lights milliseconds after coming into view of my car.
Any thoughts on what my chances are with the judge? Anyone have experiences with contesting tickets? I'd hate to see my rates go up and have to pay $200 when I have doubts I was actually going that fast and that I was the target.
I couldn't get any information on the calibration error of Mercedes vehicles but I'm assuming its at the very least 5% . Also when he put up his lights (coming from the opposite lane) I just got view of him, there was a van infront of me, which leads me to believe I wasn't the car he really targetted because he couldn't have possibly pointed the gun at my car, read the number and put up his lights milliseconds after coming into view of my car.
Any thoughts on what my chances are with the judge? Anyone have experiences with contesting tickets? I'd hate to see my rates go up and have to pay $200 when I have doubts I was actually going that fast and that I was the target.
haha, nice try, been there done that.. your going to get screwed. if you can prove that your speedo was off (not just the maufacture tolorence), like a friend who works at a calibration place and writes you and invoice for some work done the day after then you might be off. other then that go to court, hope the officer does not show, if he does then beg the mercy of the court, ask to pay the fine but not have the points added. tell him your in school or whatever good excuse you come with, and that you cant really afford the insurance hike.
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From: Tucson, Az
10 GLK350/ 15 Accord/ 94 Supra Turbo
oh here are some things you will lose on if you try to fight.
I was following the flow of traffic exuse.. Dont use it, its not valid unless you were going BELOW the speedlimit in bad weather
It was the car next to me...or in your case you saw him and he was on you. You obviously dont know how radar/laser works, he clocked you way back, he was already putting his gun away to go after you by the time you saw him.
Most cops are required to calibrate their gun/ each day or at least once a week depending on policy, and their tuning fork is tested each month. if you get lucky and ask for that documentation and he can prove it the judge might throw it out but most of the time the cop expects this and has it ready.
I was following the flow of traffic exuse.. Dont use it, its not valid unless you were going BELOW the speedlimit in bad weather
It was the car next to me...or in your case you saw him and he was on you. You obviously dont know how radar/laser works, he clocked you way back, he was already putting his gun away to go after you by the time you saw him.
Most cops are required to calibrate their gun/ each day or at least once a week depending on policy, and their tuning fork is tested each month. if you get lucky and ask for that documentation and he can prove it the judge might throw it out but most of the time the cop expects this and has it ready.
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Seems that your speedometer was spot on. Where are you going with the margin of error on the speedometer? "My speedometer was not accurate" is not a valid defense nor would the calibration variance be any type of reason since it is + or -. Sucks to get tickets but get over it and be more careful.
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Azcamel, he was coming from the opposite direction from his left lane targetting me in my left lane. I just dont see how he could possibly see me behind a van and get a speed that fast. For the speedo thing I was just saying that manufacturers have it 5%+ not +/- a percentage. I can't use that as an argument but I will ask for documentation of the calibration. Any other tips? I'm so scared at what will happen to my insurance rates.
Edit: I don't know much about the "driving class" written on the ticket but from a bit of searching, it seems like a person's record stays clean? For only $25? Why doesn't everyone do this and is there a catch? Online class??
Edit: I don't know much about the "driving class" written on the ticket but from a bit of searching, it seems like a person's record stays clean? For only $25? Why doesn't everyone do this and is there a catch? Online class??
Last edited by rinosaur; Mar 24, 2009 at 07:52 PM. Reason: addtl info
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The catch is only that it can only be taken once every year, and only 5 times in a 10 year period. It used to be 5 times in a lifetime, but they recently changed that. The organization that I took the class with (online) sent me the law update lol!
If you're interested, the class I took online was from a group called IMPROV (http://www.myimprov.com), which didn't have a time limit on the course like other classes out there. I believe that this class is valid for almost every state.
If you're interested, the class I took online was from a group called IMPROV (http://www.myimprov.com), which didn't have a time limit on the course like other classes out there. I believe that this class is valid for almost every state.
Last edited by bdgdl08; Mar 24, 2009 at 07:57 PM.
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Checking my speedo against my GPS, speedo reading 70mph = 68 mph on GPS. (Speedo reads HIGHER than actual . . . no chance getting out of the ticket on that account)
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thanks for the info. texas actually has some online defensive driving courses (LOL) that costs $25 for the course and $25 for the driving record. default court fees $107 so that $157 total. much better than $200 + insurance hike on a 20 y.o.
But wow, I definately learned my lesson. I was in Sugarland TX which is part of the Houston greater area and the cop car was totally in disguise, nothing like the blatant siren showing red/white/blue crown victorias/impalas the HPD has. It was a gold dodge magnum with the lights on the inside of the car. the "police" was written in a slightly different shade of gold, tricky *******s. buying a radar detector as soon as I get the money
edit: and dmatre, that shows that the speedo in the car is higher than what you are actually going. I got caught at 70 exact and thats what the gun said too so I was skeptical
But wow, I definately learned my lesson. I was in Sugarland TX which is part of the Houston greater area and the cop car was totally in disguise, nothing like the blatant siren showing red/white/blue crown victorias/impalas the HPD has. It was a gold dodge magnum with the lights on the inside of the car. the "police" was written in a slightly different shade of gold, tricky *******s. buying a radar detector as soon as I get the money
edit: and dmatre, that shows that the speedo in the car is higher than what you are actually going. I got caught at 70 exact and thats what the gun said too so I was skeptical
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No problem, it just sucks having to go through all this. When I got my ticket, I was following a guy going almost 80 in a 55 on back roads. He passed the cop driving the other direction in a curve and I was a bit behind, so the cop didn't get a read on him but got me. The cop was nice though, only gave me a ticket for 74 so it would only be three points, not four! The funny thing is, I have never gotten a ticket (or even pulled over) in either of my Mercedes (despite passing a speed trap while speeding, and accidentally passing a cop on the highway), but the one time I'm driving my mom's Honda Accord I get a pulled and a ticket.
Last edited by bdgdl08; Mar 24, 2009 at 10:34 PM. Reason: more info
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Wait wait wait... You said your digital display said 70. He clocked you at 70. So your speedo is right. What was the speed limit? If you were watching the digital display readout that said 70mph and you KNEW that 70 was speeding, I'm not following the logic in the rest of the story.
I got a ticket in January, 74 in a 55. It was $65. It's my first ticket in 4 years, but my 4th in 8 years. I've never had insurance go up for a ticket. As a matter of fact, CNN did a story recently about insurance companies and premiums and a spokesperson for Allstate said they typically don't increase premiums for tickets unless you were ticketed after an accident (i.e. failure to yeild, following too closely).
You were speeding and you were aware you were speeding and you got caught. Take the class, pay the fee - but you won't get anywhere trying to fight it.
I got a ticket in January, 74 in a 55. It was $65. It's my first ticket in 4 years, but my 4th in 8 years. I've never had insurance go up for a ticket. As a matter of fact, CNN did a story recently about insurance companies and premiums and a spokesperson for Allstate said they typically don't increase premiums for tickets unless you were ticketed after an accident (i.e. failure to yeild, following too closely).
You were speeding and you were aware you were speeding and you got caught. Take the class, pay the fee - but you won't get anywhere trying to fight it.
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
Wait wait wait... You said your digital display said 70. He clocked you at 70. So your speedo is right. What was the speed limit? If you were watching the digital display readout that said 70mph and you KNEW that 70 was speeding, I'm not following the logic in the rest of the story.
I got a ticket in January, 74 in a 55. It was $65. It's my first ticket in 4 years, but my 4th in 8 years. I've never had insurance go up for a ticket. As a matter of fact, CNN did a story recently about insurance companies and premiums and a spokesperson for Allstate said they typically don't increase premiums for tickets unless you were ticketed after an accident (i.e. failure to yeild, following too closely).
You were speeding and you were aware you were speeding and you got caught. Take the class, pay the fee - but you won't get anywhere trying to fight it.
I got a ticket in January, 74 in a 55. It was $65. It's my first ticket in 4 years, but my 4th in 8 years. I've never had insurance go up for a ticket. As a matter of fact, CNN did a story recently about insurance companies and premiums and a spokesperson for Allstate said they typically don't increase premiums for tickets unless you were ticketed after an accident (i.e. failure to yeild, following too closely).
You were speeding and you were aware you were speeding and you got caught. Take the class, pay the fee - but you won't get anywhere trying to fight it.
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Wait wait wait... You said your digital display said 70. He clocked you at 70. So your speedo is right. What was the speed limit? If you were watching the digital display readout that said 70mph and you KNEW that 70 was speeding, I'm not following the logic in the rest of the story.
edit: why was I going so fast? this was a normally busy road with lots of shops/intersections. however this part of the road was next to an airstrip with nothing else for 1 mile and the road is newly paved too. I was going the same speed as everyone in the left lane
Last edited by rinosaur; Mar 26, 2009 at 03:57 PM.
