Speeding tickets can have a significant impact on your driving record, insurance premiums, and even your ability to drive.
In Virginia, law enforcement heavily relies on radar equipment and laser technology (LIDAR) to detect and measure vehicle speeds. Knowing how these work and their potential flaws are necessary when contesting a speeding ticket.
To fight a speeding ticket in VA, you must know the laws and have an experienced traffic ticket lawyer on your side. If you have been charged with speeding in Virginia, do not fight it alone. Contact Keefer Law Firm at (540) 433-6906.
What Is Radar Technology and How Is It Used in Speeding Cases?
Most law enforcement agencies use radar technology or Radio Detection to determine the speed of a moving vehicle.
Radar sends out radio waves, and when they bounce off a moving object, the time taken for the waves to return and the frequency shift are used to calculate speed limits.
Radar guns can track more than one individual vehicle at the same time, making them ideal for traffic law enforcement.
Since radar measures speed from a distance, it is one of the most preferred techniques for police officers to gauge speeding vehicles across highways and busy streets.
However, radar readings can be inaccurate.
Several errors can cause the radar reading to be wrong, such as interference from nearby objects, miscalibration, and human mishandling, plus the spread of radar signals over large areas.
As a result, radar tends to track the speed of nearby vehicles instead of the target vehicle. If, affecting the accuracy of the measurement.
Challenges to radar-triggered evidence in court usually target such faults in questioning the reliability of the data used in issuing a speeding ticket.
Laser Technology
Precision is further enhanced for speed detection range with Laser technology, also called LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).
Unlike radar, which uses radio waves, LIDAR employs infrared laser beams that measure how long it takes for light to reflect off an object.
More accurate speed readings may be taken when heavy traffic is present.
LIDAR has several benefits. It provides accurate measurements, takes measurements quickly, and experiences less interference from other sources when compared to radar.
LIDAR comes with limitations since it has to maintain a clear line of sight to the target vehicle. It is prone to human error like misalignment. If the weather conditions include a downpour or fog, those atmospheric conditions influence the accuracy of LIDAR methods in acquisition.
Moreover, regular calibration is a must for reliable readings, although these limitations do not make light detection and ranging ineffective for speed detection.
Challenging Radar and LIDAR Evidence in Court
When disputing a speeding ticket, it’s important to examine radar or laser evidence closely.
An experienced traffic attorney can identify weaknesses, such as improper calibration or maintenance of the device, which may render the readings invalid. The proper calibration of police radar detectors plays a significant role when challenging a speeding ticket. If the device wasn’t calibrated according to industry standards, the evidence could be unreliable.
Operator error and environmental factors, like nearby objects or weather, can also affect accuracy, further challenging the evidence. Common defenses include radar misidentification, where the radar picks up another speeding vehicle, or LIDAR inaccuracies due to weather conditions, and such cases could be dismissed.
However, in some situations, the evidence may be excluded if the officer did not follow the proper protocols when using the apparatus, resulting in a lesser or reduced charge for the offense.
These presented legal arguments can play a significant role in protecting the defense of a driver.
Are Personal Radar Detectors Legal in Virginia?
In Virginia, the use of personal radar detectors is illegal for both private and commercial vehicles.
According to Virginia state law, radar detectors are prohibited from being used while a vehicle is in motion, and simply possessing an operational radar detector in a vehicle is considered a violation.
This law is strictly enforced, and law enforcement officers are authorized to confiscate the device if discovered. The rationale behind this regulation is to discourage drivers from evading speed detection efforts.
Violating this law can result in fines and other penalties, making it crucial to understand and comply with Virginia’s rules regarding radar detectors.
Why Choose Keefer Law Firm to Fight Your Speeding Ticket?
At Keefer Law Firm, we focus on defending drivers against traffic violations, such as such as reckless driving, reckless by speed, and speeding tickets.
With over 40 years of experience, Attorney Bob Keefer has a deep understanding of Virginia traffic laws.
Proven Expertise
We clearly understand how radar and LIDAR technology work, and we are ready to challenge their accuracy in court.
We could put calibration issues, operator mistakes, and any other very compelling evidence to the test that might also setback the evidence given.
Personalized Strategies
We look at each case carefully and consider your specific situation.
Our individualized approach means we look into the particularities surrounding your case, giving you the best possible chance of a positive outcome.
Call Today to Protect Your Driving Record
Speeding tickets have the element of time – the earlier an action is taken, the less chance that defense can continue to be built up for the potentially reduced or dismissed charges.
Speeding tickets may lead to fines, increased insurance premiums, and points on one’s driving record, which all can be avoided by timely addressing the offense.
Call Keefer Law Firm today at (540) 433-6906 to schedule your free and confidential case consultation. Let our experienced attorney fight to protect your rights as a driver.
