Do Police Officers Have to Show You the Radar Gun?
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When you are pulled over for a speeding citation, you may believe wholeheartedly that you were not speeding. And the police officer clocked the car next to you. In this case you may have asked the police officer to show you the radar gun they used to determine the speeding offense. However, the cop refused and instead handed you a speeding ticket. So you may be wondering, do police officers have to show you the radar gun after pulling you over for speeding?
Are Cops Required to Show Their Radar Gun?
Police officers are NOT required to show you the radar gun. In the state of California, it’s rather a privilege than a legal requirement for a police officer to show you the radar gun utilized to decipher the driving speed of your vehicle. It is common for drivers to believe that it is an obligation thus requesting to view the radar unit immediately after they are pulled over. However, it is up to the officer if they allow you to view the radar gun.
Why Is It Not a Requirement?
The reason showing the radar gun is not required is because of safety concerns for police officers and drivers. Radar guns are often located on the front seat of the police car. Therefore, in order for the driver to see the radar gun, they would have to approach the officer’s vehicle. For this reason, a majority of police officers don’t show the radar gun because they fear a driver may take or touch something they shouldn’t.
Types of Radar Guns
There are three major radar guns: stationary, moving and lidar. Many of the traffic stops by police officers are done using the lidar. Let’s take a look at the difference between these three radar guns.
Stationary Radar
This radar gun utilizes a wide beam to gather information. The stationary radar gun displays the speed of the strongest signal monitored using this device and not the fastest object. The “Doppler Tone” procedure is used by the police officer in determining the signal’s strength. The signal and strength is higher depending on the pitch of the Doppler tone.
Moving Radar
The moving radar gun has the benefit of the stationary radar gun features but is more advanced as a result of two radar antennas operating to show different frequencies. This device needs to be monitored and checked periodically to ensure it works accordingly. When the device is used in a moving manner the speed should be matched against a cruiser speedometer. This proves to provide increased accuracy.
Lidar Radar
The light for this radar gun is quite narrow. The trigger is pulled upon aiming the red dot at the license plate on the front of the vehicle. This is because the laser beam is extremely narrow. It operates using a three light system which is aimed at the front of the vehicle and then back to the radar gun. Lidar devices are “supposed” to be accurate within 1 mph. Still there is the possibility of inaccuracy and erroneous speed measurements.
How To Fight These Traffic Tickets
The truth is there are various issues relating to the accuracy of radar guns. That being the case, a driver can challenge traffic tickets based on readings from a radar device. So here are common errors that can occur with radar guns:
- Lack of Maintenance – Radar devices need to be calibrated and cleaned in order to produce accurate results.
- Lack of Training – In order for accurate readings, an officer needs to be trained in how to properly use radar devices.
- Wrong Vehicle – This is the most common error with radar guns especially when there a lot of vehicles on the road. A radar cannot identify the specific vehicle responsible for speeding. As a result, an officer may accidentally clock the speed of the vehicle next to the target vehicle.
- Inaccurate Aim – Lidar, which is the most common device used in traffic stops, requires infrared light to reflect back to the device. So the laser needs to be pointed at flat and reflective surfaces – headlights or license plates. In addition to the officer staying still. If lidar radar is pointed at the wrong surface or officer moves, it can cause inaccurate readings.
- Interference – Weather conditions and reflective surfaces such as road signs and large can cause false readings.
- Poor Visibility – False readings can happen if the officer is at a bad vantage point, too far away or has an obscured view of the vehicle.
In understanding these limitations proves important to fighting and winning a speeding ticket battle in a California court through Trial by Written Declaration. Trial by Written Declaration is fighting your traffic ticket in writing instead of going to court. If your ticket is dismissed, it means no points, no fines and no penalties.
How Can GetDismissed Help You?
GetDismissed has helped tens of thousands of drivers dismiss their traffic tickets through trial by written declaration. Our system will process and build a defense package for you. All you have to do is photograph your ticket and driver’s license, discuss your circumstances and download your defense document and send the documents to court. Get started today!
Steve has been leading the fight against traffic tickets for over 22 years and is the CEO/President of GetDismissed, a service that empowers California drivers with traffic tickets to fight back without going to court. As a thought leader and business entrepreneur, Steve has also been featured on TV, Radio, Print, and Online as a traffic ticket expert talking about such subjects as distracted driving, contesting traffic tickets, traffic ticket myths, traffic ticket tips, traffic law, and more. Steve is a published author, releasing his first book in 2011, and now has four books regarding fighting traffic tickets which can be found on Amazon. Read More…
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What Types of Tickets Do We Help With?
GetDismissed produces results in fighting all kinds of tickets. Unfortunately, this list does not include exhibition of speed citations. Your best bet in fighting one of these infractions, is to contact an attorney. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf to try and reduce fines, or even to reduce the charges to a lesser infraction which could possibly qualify for traffic school.
We do however, contest infractions revolving around speeding, red lights, red light cameras, cell phones, signs (primarily stop signs), carpool violations, U-turns, out of lane violations, and commercial violations. If you receive a citation and have questions, contact us today.
