Should You Get Your Speedometer Calibrated?
If you are charged with speeding or reckless driving in Virginia, you may be thinking about a speedometer calibration. Is it worth the cost?
Transcription
In case you’d prefer to read this content, I had the video transcribed for you.
Hello, I’m Andrew Flusche. A common question I get is whether or not a person should have their speedometer calibrated. In a lot of cases, a speedometer calibration really does make sense, especially if you’re charged with something like speeding or reckless driving.
Let’s use for example, 86 mph. In Virginia, that speed is considered reckless driving, since it’s over 85 mph. If we could prove that your speedometer at 86 was actually only reading 85 mph, that can almost automatically get us a reduction out of the reckless driving range of penalties and down to just a regular speeding charge. In some jurisdictions, it could even get your charge down to something like defective equipment, which is a non-moving violation.
The way the speedometer calibration works is the mechanic would put your car on what we call a dynanometer. They then run your car at various speeds. They compare the known speed of the dynanometer, which is the speed is actually going, versus the speed the speedometer is reading. They’ll give you a report that shows the comparison of those numbers at various levels of speed. And they notarize it.
We can use that certificate in court to show if your speedometer is reading low or not. The key is that we need to make sure it’s actually helpful to us. If your speedometer is reading higher than the speed you’re charged with, that would mean that if you’re charged with going 85 mph, your speedometer is reading something more than that, like 90 mph. So you had even more reason to know that you were going to fast and should have slowed down.
I don’t know many courts where that’s a helpful speedometer calibration. In fact, none that I practice in. I suggest we keep that to ourselves. But if shows you thought you were going slower than 85, it would be a great calibration for us to bring in. Even if it’s only off by a mile or two.
Anything helps in a case of reckless driving. Anything we can use to help convince the judge to reduce your charge or to beat your charge completely.
Every little piece of evidence is very important.
Contact us today at 540-318-5824 to discuss your case and learn how we can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a speedometer calibration and how does it work?
A speedometer calibration is a test performed by a mechanic who places your vehicle on a dynamometer and runs it at various speeds, comparing the dynamometer’s known speed against what your speedometer displays. The mechanic documents the results and provides a notarized certificate showing whether your speedometer reads high, low, or accurately. That certificate can be submitted as evidence in a Virginia speeding or reckless driving case to show the court what speed you believed you were traveling.
When does a speedometer calibration help a Virginia reckless driving case?
A calibration is most useful when your recorded speed is close to the legal threshold for reckless driving, which in Virginia is either 20 mph over the limit or anything above 85 mph. If a calibration shows your speedometer was reading a mile or two per hour below the actual speed, it can support an argument that you reasonably believed you were within legal limits. In some jurisdictions, even a modest calibration result can be enough to negotiate a reduction from reckless driving down to a plain speeding charge or a non-moving violation.
Is a speedometer calibration always helpful in a Virginia traffic case?
Not always. If your calibration shows your speedometer was reading accurately or reading higher than actual speed, that result is not helpful and there is no benefit to presenting it in court. A calibration that shows your speedometer read higher than actual speed would be counterproductive, suggesting you were going even faster than the officer clocked you. Your attorney will review the calibration results before deciding whether to use them, and will advise you whether the numbers actually help your case.
How much does a speedometer calibration cost near Fredericksburg, Virginia?
Speedometer calibrations in the Fredericksburg area typically cost around $100, though prices can vary by shop. The mechanic should provide a notarized calibration certificate showing the comparison of actual speed versus speedometer reading at multiple speed intervals. That notarized document is what your attorney can submit to the court, so make sure the shop provides proper paperwork and not just a verbal assessment.
