VA - Speeders can no longer view police radar reading

Speeders can no longer view police radar reading
Annie McCallum, Capital News Service
03/15/2006

It's a little-known fact that, if you get pulled over for speeding in Virginia, you can ask police officers to show you how fast you were clocked on their radar.

If you have not taken advantage of that yet, do not bother. The legislature just approved a change that would prohibit speeders from knowing just how fast they are going.


Supporters of the bill cite the potential for a confrontation when a police officer brings people back to the cruiser to show them the radar reading.

"The only information of relevance is on that detector, so it doesn't seem unreasonable for individuals in that circumstance to be able to request to see their own speed and that which will be recorded. It's a simple double check," said Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-Centreville), who opposed the change

I believe my state does not allow a driver to see a radar reading, but on lidar a driver has the right to see the display.

Virginia never had a law that would allow you to see the RADAR reading upon request. However, Virginia does have a law that states the LEO has to show you a LASER reading if you request.

Here is the current law:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...0+cod+46.2-882

There is nothing in this law that requires the LEO to show you a radar reading. Only Laser and Ground Vascar they have to show you a reading if you ask.

Quote:

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Law-enforcement officers using motor vehicle-based microcomputer devices or laser speed determination devices as provided for in this section shall, on request of any affected motorist, permit such motorist to observe the reading on the device. Nothing in this section, however, shall require any law-enforcement officer to allow affected motorists to observe any reading on any microcomputer device on any airplane or helicopter.

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StlouisX50, Please provide the link to this story. Thanks.

The reporter screwed up, it has nothing to do with radar. I found the approved new bill it is for Laser. Stupid a$$ reporter.

Here is the link to the new law which I assume will probably take effect July 1st.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...1+ful+HB1312ER

They changed "shall" to "may". So now the LEO doesn't have to show you the laser reading unless the LEO wants to.

Another thing, Supports of the bill said that motorist could get angry when they are taken back to the police car to show them. That is stupid, laser is handheld. The leo would bring the device to your car not bring you to the cruiser to show you! Some people are so stupid and uninformed, they support a bill they don't know $hit about.

Reporters should be smart and get their facts straight before they report something.

Annie McCallum, Capital News Service = StupidA$$!!!!

Here is the actual link to the story.

http://www.zwire.com/site/tab5.cfm?n...d=506096&rfi=6

Well it does say Micro Processor. This could be Radar I presume.

The Division of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to � 2.2-1112, shall determine the proper equipment used to determine the speed of motor vehicles and shall advise the respective law-enforcement officials of the same. Police chiefs and sheriffs shall ensure that all such equipment and devices purchased on or after July 1, 1986, meet or exceed the standards established by the Division.

Law-enforcement officers using motor vehicle-based microcomputer devices or laser speed determination devices as provided for in this section shall may, on request of any affected motorist, permit such motorist to observe the reading on the device. Nothing in this section, however, shall require any law-enforcement officer to allow affected motorists to observe any reading on any microcomputer device on any airplane or helicopter.

microcomputer devices is VASCAR.

If it's a portable device then the LEO should be required to show it, since that basically removes any of the "officer in danger" issue, which for the most part is bull**** in itself anyway. Usually though an officer will let you see it anyway...