Want an app to document speed

[Suanne]

I'm wondering if anyone uses an app for their smart phone that documents driving speed using their phone's GPS.  My Dolorme mapping program on my laptop will show speed, but it doesn't save it over time.

I was stopped today for speeding 20MPH over the limit on the interstate.  I was only going 4MPH over and on cruise control.  (In California, that's slow.)  To say the least I was frustrated and angry at the citation.  In fact, I went to the nearest highway patrol office and lodged a complaint against the officer for such an erroneous stop.  (Note: Both the cop and I were courteous and respectful doing the stop.)

I expect to fight it in court and would find such an app good evidence should I ever be in a similar situation again. I've never contested a ticket before; so, I hope my presumption here is correct.  

As for this current citation, it's a he-said-she-said situation.  I don't expect to win the case.  But, as least I won't be in the victim role either.

Suanne ... WA to SoCal in 3 days

 

[highdesertranger]

I don't believe that would be admissible. GPS is not 100% accurate and the ones on smart phones are even less than that, by far sometimes. do you have factory size tires? if not then your speedometer and cruise control are off. but if you want to fight it go ahead the officer might not show up or you could get the fine reduced. highdesertranger

 

[B and C]

I have an old android phone that doesn't have any service on it to use as a dash cam.  The app I use is called "Daily Road Voyager".  I downloaded the app over WiFi as a free app.  I put a memory card in it to record on in a loop.  It is a battery hog in this mode and I leave it plugged in while driving.  It automatically starts recording when I plug it back in and stops recording when I unplug power.  The GPS is turned on and in the upper left hand corner, your current speed is displayed.  Without service the map part does not function but the video is recorded with a time stamp and shows the speed in the recording when played back.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Suanne... Where are you in SoCal?
We are in Carlsbad and will be passing thru San Diego tomorrow. Taking I-8 to Yuma and 95 up to Q.

Sorry to hear you got nailed

B&C...Gonna get that app on the old cell. Wanted a dash cam but this sounds like a fair option. Thanks

 

[Suanne]

Brain -- That app sounds like it may just fit the bill. Thanks!

Jay -- I'm in the Tustin (Orange Co) area right now. After a wedding this weekend, I plan to head east towards Q. Look forward to seeing you guys there!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Suanne... Thought of going I-40 but wanted to show Margie the SoCal coast. Been a hoot.
Take care and we'll see ya there

 

[highdesertranger]

wow, I worked in Orange today then hung out at Rusty's metal detecting and prospecting store on Tustin Ave. for a couple hours. highdesertranger

 

[Suanne]

Small world HDR!

Let me know if you are still in the area next week. It'd be fun to meet for coffee. Or, are you also heading over toward Q?

 

[SoulRaven]

[font=Roboto, UILanguageFont, Arial, sans-serif]ULYSSE SPEEDOMETER—the ultimate advanced GPS* tool that is not only a high-precision GPS* Speedometer, displaying not only the current speed (analog or digital) but also packing in many other exciting features.[/font]

[font=Roboto, UILanguageFont, Arial, sans-serif]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.binarytoys.speedometer&hl=en[/font]

[font=Roboto, UILanguageFont, Arial, sans-serif]

[/font]

 

[Suanne]

Thanks Mr. Read. That app looks promising. Do you use it?

 

[B and C]

This looks interesting.  To get the features needed for playback, it looks like the pro version is required.  Is that so?  
How much is the pro version?  I don't see any price except for free in the app store.

 

[MikeRuth]

I'm wondering if anyone uses an app for their smart phone that documents driving speed using their phone's GPS.  My Dolorme mapping program on my laptop will show speed, but it doesn't save it over time.

I was stopped today for speeding 20MPH over the limit on the interstate.  I was only going 4MPH over and on cruise control.  (In California, that's slow.)  To say the least I was frustrated and angry at the citation.  In fact, I went to the nearest highway patrol office and lodged a complaint against the officer for such an erroneous stop.  (Note: Both the cop and I were courteous and respectful doing the stop.)

I expect to fight it in court and would find such an app good evidence should I ever be in a similar situation again. I've never contested a ticket before; so, I hope my presumption here is correct.  

As for this current citation, it's a he-said-she-said situation.  I don't expect to win the case.  But, as least I won't be in the victim role either.

Suanne ... WA to SoCal in 3 days

I live in the San Fernando Valley just north of Los Angeles. I'd like to ask Suanne where were you when this happen? What was traffic like at the time. I ask and if you don't want to lay it out that's fine, because I have been driving out here all my life and never got a ticket from the CHP I didn't deserve. 

My curiosity is up because you say you were only 4 mph over, and he hit you with 20, that's a big discrepancy. Many of the LEO out here that I have talked to or know say that 8 mph and under is for the most part ignored. 
Thanks Mike R

 

[RVTravel]

I'd call Toyota and ask if the prius has a "black box" that records anything.

 

[Suanne]

... I'd like to ask Suanne where were you when this happen? What was traffic like at the time.

I was just south of Buttonwillow (north of the Grapevine). It was late morning, so traffic was medium to light.

 

[Suanne]

I'd call Toyota and ask if the prius has a "black box" that records anything.

Good idea.  It won't hurt to research.

 

[Suanne]

The app I use is called "Daily Road Voyager".  I downloaded the app over WiFi as a free app.  I put a memory card in it to record on in a loop.  It is a battery hog in this mode and I leave it plugged in while driving.

I tried this app out today and it does exactly what I need.  But, I don't have an extra smart phone and it ate through my battery power even while being plugged in because I was also using Google Maps (another battery hog) at the same time.

So, it's time for me to upgrade my phone anyway.  This just provides another push in that direction.  That way I can use my current phone for the Daily Road Voyager app exclusively.

Thanks again.

 

[B and C]

You probably already have a windshield mount.  It is needed for the phone to picture the road.  Here is the one I use and like.

The 4 fingers allows it to be positioned best for you and the charging cord.  I offset mine a lot so the camera has an unobstructed view of the road.

 

[MikeRuth]

I was just south of Buttonwillow (north of the Grapevine).   It was late morning, so traffic was medium to light.

That's surprising to me./ Sorry you did get the ticket. I have run that route so many times way over the limit. If I'm not wrong that area is a 70 mph zone. 
To say you were at 90ish wow, I think you came across a chipie that had a bad morning. Examine every last item on that ticket for a possible error. 

Again sorry to here, have a great weekend. 

Mike R

 

[johnny b]

First step is to see if your speedometer is reading correctly.
Get a friend to ride shotgun with a stopwatch (most phones have this function).
Go out to the interstate, set your cruise control at 60 and then measure the exact time to travel 1 mile using the mile markers on the side of the road.
55 seconds equals 65.45 mph…..60 sec = 60 mph…..65 seconds equals 55.38 mph. Within this 10 seconds, each second is approximately 1 mph.
IF your speedo is significantly off, go to a dealer and ask for a Speedometer Calibration test…..this will give you a written certification of how much it is really off kilter.
I doubt it’s going to show the 20 mph the cop hit you with but it shows the judge you are truly mystified by such a large discrepancy.
Also, be sure during the hearing you ask for the most recent certification of calibration for the Radar or Laser unit the cop was using, or the same for his car’s speedometer if he got you by physical ‘pacing’. Cop cars have special speedometers that have to be certified regularly.
Sometimes they’ll forget to bring this stuff and the case gets thrown out.
If you have a lawyer friend you should try and get some legal advice.
Many many moons ago I had a garage where I did the above test with the mile markers to test speedo accuracy. Back then the speedo’s used a mechanical cable with gears and my receipt would say that I found the cable partially dislodged causing a drag and an inaccuracy. The lawyer would then create an affidavit stating such and was able to get tickets thrown out for two of my friends.  Ahhh, the good ol days!
Good luck with your ticket.