REGINA – The warning period for speeding in photo enforced zones is quickly coming to an end in Saskatchewan.
Starting Sunday, drivers will be ticketed for speeding past photo radar boxes.
Trying to avoid the fine, some will inevitably argue their speedometer was not working properly.
While it’s uncommon error, local mechanic Jason McCallum said it is possible.
“People putting on oversized or undersized tires will definitely change what the vehicle is moving at compared to what the vehicle is showing you it’s moving at,” he said.
Speed is calculated through an equation using tire circumference. If you alter that variable with after-market tires in a different size, it throws off the speedometer.
Bigger tires will mean your car is moving faster than the speedometer reads, while smaller tires will mean you’re moving slower than it appears on your dashboard.
Another way to put off your speedometer is to make program changes to your engine’s performance.
There’s a number of ways to test the accuracy of your speedometer. You can use a scanner at an auto body shop, but that’s not all.
“With all the great technology we have, GPS is a really good idea. And seeing as how everyone has smartphones now, there’s actually a really good app, it’s called Speedometer,” McCallum said.
To avoid the headache in the first place, make sure tires are the appropriate size by looking at a placard inside the driver side door.
At the end of the day, a faulty speedometer won’t negate a ticket, according to sergeant Colin Glas with the Regina Police Service.
“Ultimately it’s the registered owner’s responsibility for the mechanical fitness of their vehicle,” he said. “There is no reason for speeding. The posted speed limit is the posted speed limit.”
Lawyer Tony Merchant said people often fight traffic tickets because of the demerit points. As no points are involved in photo radar, he doesn’t expect the same number of cases.
“The cost of the lawyer is probably more than the fine,” he said. “With speeding, the law is, if you’re doing it you’re guilty. The only defense is necessity.”
Merchant said necessity includes things like a house fire, or an emergency hospital trip.
If that is your defense, you have options, according to Kelley Brinkworth with SGI.
“If they have some doubt about the ticket, then right on the ticket it has information about how to contest the ticket.”
Speed was a factor in 20 per cent of fatal collisions in Saskatchewan in 2013.
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