Are you facing a stunt driving charge in Ontario and questioning the accuracy of the police radar reading that led to your charge? Many drivers in this situation believe their car’s GPS, Waze, speedometer, or other speed tracking devices show a different speed than what’s indicated on the police radar. Let’s demystify this complex issue.
Police Radar: The Primary Evidence in Speeding Cases
In Ontario, it’s commonly accepted by the law that police radar devices are reliable speed detectors. These devices are regularly calibrated, tested, and have been utilized for decades to measure vehicle speeds.
Whether it’s a radar, a laser, or any other speed capture device, the technology has been established as an accurate means to determine a driver’s speed in Ontario Provincial Offences court.
An active and trained officer is recognized as an authority figure, tasked with implementing the law and issuing stunt driving charges where necessary. Despite personal feelings or perceptions about this, it’s important to understand that the court views the officer’s evidence as credible in stunt driving cases.
Navigation Apps and Speedometers: Can They Help Your Case?
Navigation apps like Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps often include a speedometer feature. This tool provides you with your current speed as well as the speed limit of the area you’re traversing.
However, contrary to what some might believe, these app-based speed readings or your car’s internal speedometer cannot be used as evidence in court. Often, drivers receive a stunt driving charge without being directly recorded by the radar at the exact moment or location they believe they were speeding.
The court usually doesn’t consider navigation systems or other speed tracking devices as credible evidence against the radar reading. Remember, these tools are primarily for personal use and generally can’t counter the police radar evidence in a stunt driving case.
How to Challenge a Stunt Driving Charge?
It can be quite challenging to dispute the accuracy of a police radar reading. It’s an objective tool, with its readings often accepted by courts as sufficient evidence to convict someone of stunt driving.
Convictions could lead to serious consequences, including a 1-3 year license suspension and fines ranging from $2000 to $10000. However, hope is not lost. There are ways to fight a stunt driving charge.
Engage a legal firm that specializes in stunt driving cases. They can guide you through the process, ensuring you don’t inadvertently harm your case by relying on unaccepted forms of evidence like navigation apps or personal speedometers.
Remember, understanding how “stunt driving radar GPS” is interpreted in the court system can be crucial to fighting your charge effectively. Be sure to get the right legal help to navigate these complex waters.
Can I use my navigation app to dispute the speed on my Stunt Driving Summons?
Most navigation apps, such as Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps, have a speedometer feature that can tell you the speed limit and the speed you are traveling. However, the court does not recognize these navigation systems as a form of evidence. The court generally sees the officer's radar device as the trustworthy source of evidence against you in a Stunt Driving case. Therefore, it is not likely that using a navigation app to dispute the speed on your summons will be successful.
How can I fight a Stunt Driving charge if I believe the officers radar is incorrect?
It can be difficult to fight a Stunt Driving charge based on the accuracy of the officer's radar device. The technology has been deemed an accurate measure of speed for drivers in Ontario and is calibrated, tested, and has been used for decades. The court generally recognizes the officer and the radar device as a trustworthy source of evidence against you. However, there may be other ways to fight the charge such as hiring a law firm that specializes in Stunt charges. They will be able to review your case, give you legal advice and help you to defend yourself in court.