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GPS Used As Defence In Radar Speeding Case

Posted by kdawson on from the could-be-onto-something dept.

James Thigpen writes "There is an article over at Ars Technica about an accused speeder contesting his speeding ticket based on his car's built-in GPS system's records. According to the article his car says he was going slower than the radar gun clocked him at. Contesting a ticket based on GPS data has never before been tested in court."

8 of 464 comments (clear)

  1. Re:First Post? by lee1026 · · Score: 3, Funny

    This time, it is the lack of privacy that helps the little guy. Oh, the irony.

  2. Re:I have used this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    >In San Antonio, TX I was pulled over for doing 76 in a 75 zone.

    For what, Driving While Black?

  3. Re:Speed = Distance / Time by vtcodger · · Score: 2, Funny
    ***At least one state (MA) and perhaps others have laws that require your AVERAGE speed over some distance (I believe MA is 1/4 mi) to be over the limit for a speeding ticket.***

    They have traffic laws in Massachusetts? When did that happen?

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    You can't see ANYTHING from a car, You've got to get out of the goddamned contraption and walk...Edward Abbey
  4. Re:GPS more accurate than radar? by sentientbeing · · Score: 2, Funny

    Obviously a mistake, though it could have been an Ent.

    Ive seen them run that fast when their hair is on fire.

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    beware he who would deny you access to information, for in his mind he dreams himself your master
  5. Re:This could only be the first step by Paradise+Pete · · Score: 5, Funny
    the next step I see will be people speeding like hell, and then hacking their car's GPS records to show they were going at the speed limit.

    Yup. On most people's home projects list that's the one right after "Get microwave to stop blinking 12:00."

  6. Re:Video Evidence by jcjewell · · Score: 2, Funny

    is not even funny how slow all of those Honda ricers are. Though for me, I stop at the speed limit. You must pull some serious g's when you hit the speed limit on the highway.
  7. Bah. by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 3, Funny
    A consumer GPS speed indicator is typically accurate to within .75 mph.

    So should I get some sort of prize for my Highlander that can go 352 MPH, based on my Garmin 350 "trip max" history?

    I personally don't remember driving 352 MPH, even when driving up I15 to Vegas, but then again, maybe my wife did it when I wasn't in the car with her... yeah that must be it.

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    This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
  8. Re:Video Evidence by dangitman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Speed limits are arbitrary, and (specifically on the highways between Brisbane and Melbourne) designed to make money, not save lives.

    There's a simple solution to that - if you don't exceed the speed limit, they won't make any money from the cameras. So, if they are about making money, then they would be removed once they stopped being profitable. Unfortunately, it seems highly unlikely to get the majority of people to obey the road rules for even one day or one week - so it looks like the cameras are here to stay. I still think it would be a hilarous protest, though - everybody obey the law today, and screw the police and government. It would be an act of civil obedience.

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    ... and then they built the supercollider.