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RADAR Archives

February 3, 2012

NMA Pennsylvania Alert: Stop Expansion of Radar and Laser Use

Pennsylvania is the only state (or commonwealth) in the country that prohibits municipal police from enforcing speed limits with radar. Since 1961, only state troopers have been allowed to use radar and laser for speed enforcement.

Now three related bills seek to change that distinction. Senate Bill 526 and House Bill 1475 would permit local police agencies to use both radar and laser for speed enforcement. House Bill 1041 would authorize the use of radar only.

The NMA opposes the use of radar and laser devices. Both technologies have inherent flaws making them unrelilable for speed enforcement, and their use encourages the proliferation of speed traps, which are fundamentally unfair to motorists.

All three bills have been referred to their respective Transportation Committees. We encourage you to contact the committee members along with your local Senate and House members to let them know what you think.

Posted by National Motorists Association 
January 27, 2011

NMA Georgia Alert: Loss of Radar and Laser Authorization May Invalidate Some Tickets

Due to the failure of Gwinnett County and city governments to compromise on a strategy to provide services like policing, public health and road maintenance, the county has temporarily lost the ability to get state grants or permits -- including permits for radar and laser enforcement. (This according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution online article from January 4th.)

Auburn, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Snellville and Suwanee have also lost their permits.

Consequently, speeding tickets issued in those locations after January 1st, which rely on either of those technologies, may be invalid; certainly the tickets are much more vulnerable to courtroom challenges.

What needs to be borne in mind is that officers can probably still generate valid speeding tickets by personally "pacing" vehicles, or by claiming to have done so.

Still, if you have a radar or laser-based ticket from these places and this time period, you might want to consult with an attorney as to the validity of your ticket, or you might even want to go ahead and take it to trial on your own.

There are no guarantees, but the loss of radar and laser authority could be the key to a successful defense.

Posted by National Motorists Association 
September 23, 2010

NMA State Alert for Pennsylvania: Bill Would Allow Local Radar

Pennsylvania is the only state in the country that prohibits municipal police from enforcing speed limits with radar. Since 1961, only state troopers have been allowed to use radar. 

Now, Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, is sponsoring a a bill that would change the state’s distinction. According to an August 19th Land Line Magazine article, the bill, HB2513, now in the House, would permit local, full-time police officers who work for “full-service accredited police departments” to use radar. 

Efforts to expand radar use in the state have long been opposed by motorists who believe radar use will simply increase speed trap enforcement to generate more ticket revenue. Despite the absence of any evidence that radar use improves traffic safety, supporters argue that expanding the use of radar beyond major highways would increase safety and reduce fatalities.

You can express your opinion to your Pennsylvania state representatives found here.
Posted by National Motorists Association 


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