Key Takeaways from NHTSA RADAR Manual: How are speeding tickets written?

Operators of radar devices are taught a specific process when handling them. When there is proper handling of a radar device, law enforcement officials will then issue speeding tickets. The first step in understanding this process is the initial visual element.

There would be no speed enforcement action without an officer’s visual observation. The officer’s attention has to be drawn in some way to the passing, weaving, etc. of the vehicle. This is done with the naked eye and usually at key points in roadways. If target identification of a specific vehicle is made, the process continues.

When the vehicle is identified, the officer will make a visual estimate of the vehicle’s speed. Law enforcement officers go to specific training courses in order to be able to do this. Factors such as the vehicle’s movement compared to other vehicles, or stationary objects allow for this estimation. Since there is a time delay between the first observation and the secondary estimation, there is also room for error.

As the speed estimation is being determined, the officer should note the distance the target vehicle is from his or her location. The officer is also taught to be aware of the environment in which the target vehicle is traveling. Seemingly innocuous details like the weather, pedestrian traffic, business or school districts, power lines, medical equipment and construction areas may actually be a much bigger factor in an inaccurate speed reading.

Once this is done, the officer checks their visual estimate with the reading on their radar device. As previously discussed, radar devices can be prone to error. There are a myriad of reasons why a reading might not be reflective of a target vehicle’s actual speed.

To counter the risk of inaccurate readings, operators are trained to keep a tracking history. This tracking history can help verify any inaccuracies caused by the machinery. There are certain device features, such as an automatic lock, that may be present in a specific device and will significantly interfere with both readings and a tracking history.

If you believe that you received a ticket that alleged an incorrect speed, contact a trained traffic ticket attorney today. Attorneys study the technology used in radar devices, and know how to ask for relevant documents to ensure they are working properly.