Are Radar Guns Accurate?
If you have ever experienced being pulled over due to speeding based on a radar gun result, you can challenge radar guns in court. Despite the hardships faced when challenging radar gun accuracy, mainly due to technological developments, many factors can still make gun radar results inaccurate. However, to increase the chances of winning the suit, you may need help from a Lexington NC traffic lawyer if these charges occurred within Davidson County.
The accuracy of radar guns
Radar guns are devices that direct and receive signals. The devices function by sending a signal towards a car and then receiving the same signal as it bounces back. Through the application of the Doppler Effect, a radar gun can measure the speed of the car based on variations in the returning signal value.
Authorities have also begun embracing the LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) tech. Although this technology operates like radar guns, it uses a laser rather than radio waves.
Regardless of the technology used, these devices require sensitive measurement tools which need frequent adjustments and calibrations. Radar guns need the application of a tuning fork to ensure that they produce accurate readings. Although radar gun manufacturers recommend calibration before usage, states may enforce their calibration and test much less frequently.
The following are some factors that may also cause radar guns’ inaccuracy.
- The maximum range at which the device can see a specified size target
- The device’s ability to differentiate one target from another
- It’s measurement accuracy of the target location in angle and range
- The device’s ability to identify the desired echo when subjected to significant clutter echoes
- Its capability to recognize the target type
How to Challenge Radar Gun Evidence
You can challenge radar gun evidence by arguing the following facts:
Improper calibration of the device
Since radar guns are scientific devices, their accuracy depends on the frequency of their calibration. If the device is improperly calibrated, it is likely to produce inaccurate readings. The officer using the device must have sufficient training on calibrating the instrument. Therefore, a Davidson County NC traffic lawyer can help you in challenging the device’s evidence in court based on calibration and the officer’s training.
Improper Use of the Radar Gun
A police officer must have sufficient training on calibrating a radar gun and using it properly. For example, when an officer attempts clocking cars entering or coming from a curve, the device receives inaccurate reading. This can also be experienced when an officer tries to clock cars in a highly trafficked location.
Interferences
Radar guns are susceptible to any form of instrument that emits vibrations and frequencies. Since officers are always near a police car when clocking someone, various components in their vehicle like the alternator, radio, or mechanical noises nearby may cause some interference.
Wrong Targeting
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration dictates that the automatic lock spec on radar guns should be deactivated. The auto-lock spec automatically locks onto a specified car and follows it until the device reads the car’s speed. Besides, the auto-lock can lock the wrong target when more than one vehicle is moving in the radar gun sight.
Why Consult A Traffic Ticket Attorney Davidson County?
When you seek services from traffic violations law firms, a Guilford county traffic lawyer can conduct a detailed examination of all the facts linked with the speeding charge. A traffic lawyer Lexington county NC can uncover at least one fact that can challenge the accuracy of the radar gun evidence.
Have you been pulled over due to speeding based on radar gun evidence? Reach out to us at the Law Office of Tony Huynh, Traffic Lawyer for legal help.