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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
07/26/2024 02:46 PM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=H&cosponId=40953
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House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: June 7, 2023 03:28 PM
From: Representative Jill N. Cooper
To: All House members
Subject: Permit Local Police Department to Use RADAR/LIDAR Devices for Speed Enforcement
 
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that would permit local police departments to use RADAR/LIDAR devices for speed enforcement.

A recent nationwide study found that nearly half of all fatal car accidents in Pennsylvania occurred due to speeding drivers, resulting in the Commonwealth ranking third nationwide for the most speeding-related fatalities.

Currently, the Vehicle Code limits local police to the use of speed timing devices for speed enforcement, and the use of RADAR is currently limited to the Pennsylvania State Police. Under my legislation, a local police department would be permitted to use RADAR/LIDAR contingent upon the following:
  • A municipality would need to first pass an ordinance authorizing the use of RADAR/LIDAR.
  • A municipality must install signs advertising the use of RADAR/LIDAR at the municipality’s border.
  • Collected revenue may not exceed the previous year’s speed enforcement revenue by more than 1/%.
  • Local police officers would be required to complete a training course before use.
  • RADAR/LIDAR may only be used when the officer is in or adjacent to a clearly marked law enforcement vehicle.
  • No citation may be issued unless the driver is exceeding the posted speed limit by 10 mph or more, or unless the driver is exceeding the posted speed limit by 6 mph or more in a work or school zone.
  • Citations may not result in the issuance of points or insurance surcharges.
  • For the first 90 days of enforcement using RADAR/LIDAR, only written warnings may be used.
Pennsylvania is the only state in the country where municipal police are unable to use radar technology to enforce speed limits. It’s time to give local police the tools they need to keep our roadways and motorists safe.

I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this necessary legislation.