Speeding Ticket Help

[Gebo]

I have 265/70/16 on my 4 Runner. I need to get my speedometer calibrated for an upcoming court date. What size tire and/or wheel combination can I increase to? This could cost me my job if I get the speeding ticket. I need to show my speedometer reading slower than the actual speed. I know I need a larger tire or is there another way to get this done?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

So you got a ticket and now need to make your speedometer look like it was reading slow?

The largest you can fit stock is 265/75/16.

 

[Gebo]

Yep. I need it to read like 55 but my speed is actually 60.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I got a ticket for going 62 in a 45 last month...

today I went past a bunch of those signs that tell you how fast you're going, I seriously saw almost a 5 mph difference each time!

 

[bgmac]

I have 265/70/16 on my 4 Runner. I need to get my speedometer calibrated for an upcoming court date. What size tire and/or wheel combination can I increase to? This could cost me my job if I get the speeding ticket. I need to show my speedometer reading slower than the actual speed. I know I need a larger tire or is there another way to get this done?

Your best bet is to just plead your case to the judge (dont curse in court, they dont like that). Be willing to pay in full to show your serious and let them know your job depends on it. You should be able to just pay for the ticket and not incure any points if they help you out.

 

[zcruiser]

If you take the revolutions per mile of a standard size and divide by revolutions per mile on an oversize tire, you will get the ratio that should be applied to your speedometer.

Example Only (NOT T4R numbers!):

stock - 667 RPM
oversize - 631 RPM

Ratio = 667/631 = 1.06

So if your speedo says 55 mph, your ground speed is actually 58 mph.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

zcruiser is actually pretty close since if you did have the 1" taller 265/75s they are only 3% bigger than stock so even at 55 indicated it's only going to be off by 1-3mph at most.

 

[LINY4Runner]

yeah seriously don't waste money on tires you don't need

plus i've tried that excuse once with my 285/70/17's and nobody in the room had the mechanical knowledge to figure out what i was talking about...got slapped with the ticket anyways.

just be straight up with them, it's really all they want

 

[zcruiser]

Kinda like when this dude on Judge Judy was suing over a fireproof safe because his precious comics got singed and I kept yelling "they're only good for a certain amount of TIME, you idiots!"

 

[Gebo]

Oh, I was only going to go to by local tire dealer and have them put on a set of used tires just for the calibration.

 

[Hacker]

I can't think of a reason that a court would road-test your vehicle to verify your claim that the speedo is wrong.

Even if the tire size on your 4R caused your speedo to be inaccurate, they'd tell you that it's not the car's fault if you have altered it (with bigger tires). It's still your responsibility to obey the law. You still have to figure out a way to drive the speed limit.

So, it will be a big waste of time and money to go buy tires to make your story believable...there's really no chance that it will change the outcome of your hearing.

Sucks that it will effect your employment if you get stuck with the ticket, but this isn't the way to fight it.

 

[Gebo]

You go and have your speedometer calibrated at $49. There are garages that do this. The county I live in will automatically give you improper equipment if you are one mph off in EITHER direction. You still pay the fine but the local judge understands the effects tickets have on insurance rates. Problem is, I was in another county. Their judge doesn't do that.

 

[JohnsD90]

Plead not guilty and get away with a non-moving violation or pay a lawyer and hopefully get away scarefree

 

[broncosi]

If you take the revolutions per mile of a standard size and divide by revolutions per mile on an oversize tire, you will get the ratio that should be applied to your speedometer.

Example Only (NOT T4R numbers!):

stock - 667 RPM
oversize - 631 RPM

Ratio = 667/631 = 1.06

So if your speedo says 55 mph, your ground speed is actually 58 mph.

and im assuming your out of unc then

 

[zcruiser]

and im assuming your out of unc then

Ha, no.... IBM engineer.

 

[Duhockey]

what police officer gives you a ticket for 5 miles over??!?! Ive never even heard of that... standard is 10% of your speed before they even look at you. and from what Ive read, even a significantly larger tire wont do that...

Your best bet is taking responsibilty with the DA before you ever appear before the court. If you have no priors, you wont even see the Judge. They will offer you a plea bargain. Sorry dude, best of luck :happens:

 

[henshman]

so were you speeding?

"Yep. I need it to read like 55 but my speed is actually 60." -- huh?

So, did po-po get you on radar, laser, or was it a clocked speed?
You won't beat any of these, unless the ticketing officer or prosecutor doesn't bring the calibration info for the detection tool he/she used.
If your speedo is "off" and your state inspection requires a calibration, then it would make sense to be compliant, especially if you speedo "error' CAUSED you to exceed the speed limit. If your vehicle needs something fixed, get it done. It will show an act of good faith, you are trying to do what is required.

I bet it was more like your left foot, or a tail wind, or perhaps a steep downhill grade, that caused your speed.

I am no lawyer, but I haven't lost in court yet.

Good luck.

Duhockey
By the way...a "5mph over ticket" is sort of a gift. In my state the minimum is 10 over = $95.
If someone gets a ticket for "5mph" over the limit, it is more than likely what the officer chose to write the violator for, not their actual speed which was probably much higher. In my (not so perfect) opinion, human nature puts most operators at approx. 15mph over the limit. They try to blend in with traffic. In most 35mph zones peeps travel 45-50mph. 70mph, in a 55. So if local/state authorities REALLY wanted people to go 35, they would post 20. 55, they would post 40. Just my two cents, and yes, I accept change.