Homepage > Pittsburgh News

Driver Uses GPS To Fight Speeding Ticket Between Lines

New Brighton Man Says Gadget In Company Vehicle Proves His Case

POSTED: 9:09 am EST November 9, 2009
UPDATED: 8:36 pm EST November 9, 2009

A New Brighton man is using a global positioning device in his company vehicle to fight a speeding ticket in Rochester, Beaver County.

David Riesmeyer told Channel 4 Action News reporter Shannon Perrine that he was ticketed on June 15 for allegedly driving 64.5 mph in a 50 mph zone near the ramp from the Beaver-Rochester Bridge that goes to Route 65.

"The vehicle that I was in has a fleet-tracking GPS that tracks both our time, our location, our direction," Riesmeyer said.

The officer who ticketed Riesmeyer used a stopwatch-like device to calculate his speed between two painted lines on a roadway. But Riesmeyer said the GPS recorded his speed every three seconds and shows he was driving only 57 mph.

  SURVEY
Do you think women have an easier time getting out of speeding tickets than men?

The difference is relevant because state law says a motorist must exceed the speed limit by at least 10 mph to get a ticket, if police aren't using radar on a road with a speed limit less than 55 mph.

"I think it's going to help a lot," Riesmeyer said. "Whether we'll actually win the case just on the GPS evidence alone, I'm hoping it does."

Only state police are allowed to use radar for tracking speeders and issuing tickets in Pennsylvania.

"I think that, certainly, letting locals use radar is the right thing. Our chiefs of police organizations have argued for years and years," said assistant Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole, whose department uses the ENRADD system for speed enforcement.

WTAE Channel 4's Shannon Perrine reported that Pennsylvania is the only state in which local police departments can't use radar.



Links We Like

Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More

It was bound to happen. There are now applications for your cell phone that can help you avoid speeding tickets as well as traffic jams. Drive carefully. More

Are you often tired or rushed in the morning? Give your morning habits a makeover, and start the day feeling positive and energetic instead. More

Caregiving

Sponsored Links