I drive a 4237 # (1922KG) SUV. I was ticketed a couple of months ago for speeding. I have checked and the winds were gusting at 40.3 mph (or 64.8km/h) in the direction of my travel, at my location, at the time of my ticket. I was ticketed for 76mph in a 50 mph zone. What portion of this may be attributed to the "tailwind" and what formula would you use to support that on a scientific and plausible basis?
2007-01-03 07:55:37 · 9 answers · asked by Colleen Ann 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Please note the following: I have been driving over 20 years, I have never gotten any other tickets (ever, period), I really don't think I was going 76 but am looking for a better and more logical thing to say than simply that, AND finally; this is almost a $300 ticket that I can't afford!
2007-01-03 08:45:58 · update #1
There is no one formula because it depends on a huge number of factors, not the least of which would be the coefficient of drag on your vehicle from back to front (since it was a tailwind).
I'm confused though as to why you think this is a defense. Most States term their speeding laws under the "Basic Speed Rule" which states that a driver may not drive faster than it is safe to drive, regardless of the posted speed limits. A tail wind is a an example of a transient condition that you as a driver should be aware of when driving and should adjust your speed for accordingly. I've never heard of a successful defense in 30+ years of law enforcement where a defendent successfully had a case dismissed due to tailwind.
But good luck.
2007-01-03 07:57:30 · answer #1 · answered by JSpielfogel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say from a legal stand point a tail wind would not make much of a diffrence if any, it would only make it easier to go 76 mph. But none the less, you were traveling 76 MPH and that is what the speedometer in the car would have read, so i think that the fault would be roughly 100% yours, i know this is not the answer you want, but it is what it is. It sounds like you don't want to take responsibility for what you have done.
good luck with it.
P.S.I think a good lawyer is more effective than trying to argue physics. government laws are easier to work around than phisical ones.
2007-01-03 16:01:31 · answer #2 · answered by Latex 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Now U can't blame all of it on a tail wind just because the lady has a heavy foot. It will push U a bit, 40 mph wind, think about as a head wind and how that effects U. Or a cross wind can blow U off the road if your going fast enough. I don't know any formula I think it's unheard of to think if your watching your speed to think a tail wind would push you 25mph. I hope U take this as helpful.
2007-01-03 16:09:38 · answer #3 · answered by Blues Man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being that you're driving an SUV (substantially heavy vehicle), there really wouldn't be any affect of tailwind that would propel you from within the speed limit of 50 up to 76. That's what odometers are for....so you can monitor your speed (tailwind or not).
2007-01-03 15:58:23 · answer #4 · answered by samthecatrocks 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just to clarify some of the above (e.g. "ground speed"):
Your spedometer still would be reading 76mph or so, as long as the patrol radar is about accurate (and your spedometer!).
Tailwind does not make any difference in knowing how fast you're going; it only affects how much gas you need to give the car to go that speed.
2007-01-03 17:22:49 · answer #5 · answered by emptydoubleyou 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your foot on the accelerator is the only thing that affected your speed.
If the wind was pushing you, all you had to do was ease off the gas. That's not going to fly in court.
To calculate the effect, you would need to know the weight of your car, it's aerodynamic cross-section, angle of wind direction to your direction of travel, and the velocity and duration of each gust.
2007-01-03 16:04:10 · answer #6 · answered by The answer guy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here is an article that describes tailwind in aircraft:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tailwind
The numbers will change, but the theory is similar.
Just apply your speed and the windspeed to the formula, and you will have enough information to make a case. Usually, just making a case is enough to get your charges thrown out of court.
2007-01-03 15:58:14 · answer #7 · answered by Brent G 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
there are alot of things that would have to be factored in to determine how much of a role the wind played in your speed. but for the most part i can say that it increased your speed less than 5 miles per hour
2007-01-03 15:58:20 · answer #8 · answered by links305 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't think it's supportable.
Ground speed and air speed are two different things.
CHP measures ground speed.
You're talking about air speed.
If you raise enough questions, though, you might be able to get it dropped.
PM me for math and explanations..
2007-01-03 15:59:47 · answer #9 · answered by _LEV_ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋