Automatic activation of speed measurement in mobile device based on available motion indicia

A system and method for speed measurement of a mobile device using a speed which does not need to be continually activated. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for determining a speed of a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device including a speed sensor and an input device, comprising: determining whether the mobile electronic device is travelling at a speed in excess of a first threshold based on input from the input device other than speed determined by a speed sensor; activating the speed sensor to determine the speed of the mobile electronic device responsive to determining that the mobile electronic device is travelling at a speed in excess of the first threshold based on input from the input device; determining whether a speed of the mobile electronic device sensed by the speed sensor exceeds the first threshold in responsive to the activating; and performing an action responsive to the speed of the wireless communication device sensed by the speed sensor exceeding the first threshold.