COURTLAND—A Franklin man has opened Courtland Speedometer Calibration at 27444 Southampton Parkway, Courtland.

Roger Morneault checks speedometers on vehicles and documents the results, which can be used in court for motorists fighting tickets.

“Most people don’t want points against their license because insurance rates will go through the roof,” Morneault said. “This way when you go to court with documented calibration, hopefully a judge will take that into consideration and reduce the charge.”

He can also check speedometers on police cars, which are required to be documented for accuracy twice a year.

Morneault claims that most speedometers are out of calibration, except for a few cars with built-in GPS systems that recalibrates them.

“Most can average 1 to 2 miles (off),” he said. “I’ve seen trucks, like the young guys (drive) with big tires that can be from 8 to 10 to 12 miles off.”

Checking a speedometer takes 10 to 15 minutes.

He also checks speedometers on tractor-trailers, four-wheel and all-wheel drives, and hopes to do motorcycles in the future.

Located in the paint booth for the former Blake Auto Sales building next to Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Courtland Speedometer Calibration is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The business can be reached at 653-2128.