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Police radar is as controversial today as it was when the 55 mph national speed limit started in 1974 (a temporary law that lasted over 20 years). Around that same time solid-state police radars started showing up on the roads in large numbers. The advantage of solid-state (versus vacuum tubes) was to bring down the cost, size, and power requirements of the units. Cost reductions included NOT having a strip chart recorder for a written record of target history. In 1987 Congress raised the national speed limit to 65 mph, and finally abolished the (national) speed limit in 1995.Even through the 55 mph national speed limit is history, many communities continue to use, and abuse, police radar. Many communities have become accustomed (addicted) to revenue obtained from radar. In the 1990's laser radar (lidar) started showing up on the roads. Thus police radar, both microwave and laser, continues to be used extensively across the nation and around the world.
Many police departments and agencies have greatly improved their application of radar to traffic control, but there still exists a large number not qualified to operate this type of precision instrument. To operate a traffic radar does not require genius, but it does require proper training as well as a basic understanding of the device. Hopefully the reader will gain enough understanding of police traffic radar to help prevent or right any injustices these instruments (really the police, courts, elected or anointed bureaucrats) may impose.
Vehicle Insurance Companies also have an interest in police radar. Insurance companies base automobile insurance rates on driving record; the more speeding tickets a driver has the higher the insurance rate. In other words, the more speeding tickets issued the more money the insurance companies make.
