Scan Gauge to get out of a ticket?

[etlsport]

hey all.. i got pulled over last night.. the officer claims he clocked me at 94 (no way i was going that fast!!) after he drove off i looked down and noticed my scan gauge and thought hmmm so i checked the trip computer on it and my max speed listed there was only 86! is there any way i can use this to show that the radar detector he used was wrong, or that he just plain made it up.. its only going to hold the data for another day unless theres some way to store it?

[etlsport]

.. and please nobody tell me i was going too fast either way.. i know i was, it was the end of an 8 hour drive.. i was getting antsy and lacked some judgement

[WormGod]

Going too fast? Gods man, you call THAT fast?

It's very doubtful that will be of any help in court. Go to court, plea guilty with explanation, and try to at least get the fine and points lowered a bit.

Just feel lucky, cause if you were to get pulled over for that speed in MD on a state highway.... you are going for a ride with bracelets on. They are REALLY cracking down hard on that here now. I found that out 2 years ago. I since learned to drive like an old man.

Good luck.

[etlsport]

yikes, i didnt know maryland was getting that serious about their speeding tickets, after this i doubt that ill be speeding much.. for some reason this has gotten me really shaken up... but its good to know to use extra caution in MD as i drive to frederick all the time to see friends/fam... on a similar note a friend of mine was pulled over in DE doing 20 over, judge told him that if he got caught doing ANYTHING wrong in deleware again (including jaywalking) he would have to serve mandatory jail time... you would think they would be cracking down on people running red lights, driving drunk.. cars without brake lights (i see 2-3 a week with NO brake lights).. not speeders

[kpaske]

There is a thread on one of the VW forums where a very similar question was asked. In this case, the scan device didn't record the actual speed, but it can be calculated based on RPMs. Depending on the state, sometimes defending yourself and presenting evidence, if done correctly, will get you out of a ticket. I know because I've done it in Maryland. However, from my experience, the best thing to do is go to court and hope the cop doesn't show. If he does, like WormGod said, plead guilty with an explanation. Tell them about how you have a bladder control problem and really had to do #1 so you were rushing to make it home. Or whatever. It really doesn't matter what the excuse is because as long as you are courteous and respectful, dress appropriately, and present yourself in a positive manner (and don't have warrants or a record a mile long, of course) you will almost always get your fine and points reduced.

If you are positive that you weren't going 94 or darn close to it, and that the cop's estimate was way off, you might have a chance at going to trial. But if your scan device doesn't save the trip log with time stamps and everything, I think you'll have a tough time getting your evidence accepted and at that point if you're found guilty you'll pay the full fine and get all the points. I've heard of people asking for laser calibration records and such, but I don't personally know of anyone who has actually used that tactic.

Regardless of the outcome in court, unless the charges are dropped, your insurance record will reflect the new ticket and your rates could go up (it all depends on the insurance company).

There is a lot of interesting advice in that thread. I'm not sure if you'll need to register to read it: VW thread

[kpaske]

Oh yeah, and Maryland has changed quite a bit since I left there about 4 years ago. 86 used to be just barely keeping up with traffic!