Speedometer Calibration

Speedometer Calibration:

Speedometer calibration test results can be key to defending a speeding or reckless driving case.  However, most drivers facing a speeding ticket or reckless driving charge have never had a speedometer calibration test performed on their vehicle.  Namely this is because speedometer testing is not routinely performed during an annual state inspection process, and because new vehicles (arguably) should have an accurate speedometer when they are purchased (but actually this is not necessarily always the case).

The reality is that speedometers frequently are off (often at least slightly, but sometimes by a lot more) and many drivers are surprised to learn that their speedometer is off after they have their vehicle tested.  When calibration test results indicate a speedometer is off (even slightly) it can make a huge difference in the outcome of a speeding or reckless driving case. Having a vehicle’s speedometer calibrated and bringing the appropriate test results to Court can be critical to defending the driver.

Please note that merely showing a receipt for repairs on a speedometer to the Court will NOT be sufficient evidence in a speeding or reckless driving case.  The Court will require a specific type of record for the test results, and if your test results are not admissible then they will not be considered by the Court.

When you hire Peters Law Firm, PLLC, to represent you in a speeding or reckless driving case, an example of speedometer calibration test results which are admissible in Court will be provided to you.

What about police officers?  Does the equipment they use to detect speed have to be accurate too?

The answer is YES, ABSOLUTELY!  Whether the officer paced a vehicle, or clocked the vehicle’s speed using LiDAR or RADAR, the equipment the officer used must be accurately calibrated to be admitted by a Court.  If the officer fails to bring calibration records to Court or has records which are not current under Virginia law (i.e., out-of-date), then the evidence of speed in a case will be thrown out by the Judge.  When you hire Peters Law Firm, PLLC, to represent you in a speeding or reckless driving case, we ALWAYS check the accuracy of the equipment the officer used to detect your speed.