my gps made a mistake?
my mom got a speeding ticket for going at about 60 mph where the speed limit was 45 mph. however, the police officer wrote the ticket as if she was going at 65 mph. the reason that she was going so fast was because her gps said the speed limit was 55, so she was staying at around that speed. she has to go to court some time in november. should she defend her case alone, or should she hire a lawyer? the only thing that matters is that she doesnt get points on her license. its important that her license stays clean because her job depends on it. this happened in Oconee, GA.
Update:there hadnt been a speed limit sign for some time, it was a rural area. also, this is her first ticket in georgia.(weve been here for 3 years)
Comments
The driver is responsible for knowing all the rules of the road, for knowing what the actual speed limit is, where one way roads are or a prohibited left or right turn, even if it differs from what a GPS says. The driver is responsible for knowing the laws. I'm sure "my GPS told me to" won't hold up in court if you get a ticket.
Well, even if she thought it was 55, then driving at 60 was speeding, so she still deserved a ticket.
Put this up to a lesson in using common sense. You should never trust what the GPS says the speed limit is, since it could easily be wrong, or there could be temporary slow orders on that section of highway due to conditions/construction...
Each US State and county has laws regarding what the "standard" speed limit is for various types of roads, so even if you don't see a speed sign right away, you should be able to tell what the limit would be.
If you truly believe that the speed limit should normally have been 55 mph, and the reduced 45 mph was not adequately marked, then there is a clause addressing this in the highway code. See the following link, footnote 1: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/enforce/speedla...
Your mother can't be blind and drive safely! What she reads on the traffic signs is the speed she has to abide by!
Some GPS units also have drivers going down roads that have washed out bridges too - and some idiots have crashed!
Complain to the company that made the GPS.