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From: jla@inuxd.UUCP (Joyce Andrews)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: speedometer calibration and radar
Message-ID: <714@inuxd.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 24-Feb-85 20:05:28 EST
Article-I.D.: inuxd.714
Posted: Sun Feb 24 20:05:28 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 27-Feb-85 06:25:48 EST
Organization: AT&T Consumer Products Div., Indianapolis
Lines: 32

Yesterday was my first day on the "open road" with my brand new 
Daytona.  It ran beautifully, cornered nicely, accelerated
smoothly.  I set cruise control at exactly 55.  I was pleased 
that the cruise control operated smoothly--not varying by ten mph
like the cruise control in the Chevy Caprice company car I used 
to drive.  I gave the speedometer careful attention--I KNOW it 
said 55 mph for a long time, with very little variation.  I got 
a $35 speeding ticket (T55 radar in moving mode) for going 71 
miles an hour!  

I was behind a pick-up truck for sometime, with about the same 
distance between us all that time.  The truck did not get picked 
up.  I didn't think to ask at what speed he clocked the truck.  I
tried my own little experiment, using mileposts and my digital
watch, and took more than a minute at 55 to reach the next
milepost, but I can't swear to the accuracy of the mileposts.  In
all honesty, however, the other traffic on the interstates seemed 
to be going more slowly than usual the whole day.

My questions:  What are the chances that my speedometer is 15 mph
off calibration?  How can I find out?  What are the chances that 
the radar (operated by an Ohio State Patrolman, not some local
Wyatt Earp) screwed up?  Should I try to fight it, even though it
is out-of-state 150 miles from home?  Am I more likely to get
this treatment now that I have a sporty looking car than I would
in a sedate sedan?

                           Joyce Andrews
                           AT&T Consumer Products
                           Indianapolis, Indiana
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