Did you ever get a radar or lidar speeding ticket even through you weren't speeding, chances are the officer was not properly setup or misinterpreted the radar reading. The radar was not measuring you but a different vehicle or a false alarm. In many cases the radar was setup in a way it could not possibly measure your vehicle. Microwave radars measure the strongest vehicle reflection, not always the closest vehicle. Microwave radars have sensitive receivers, nearby transmitters and high power sources can induce false signals and false speed readings. Moving mode radar has multiple sources for incorrect speed readings that depends on traffic close to the radar and reflective stationary objects, like guardrails or highway signs. Lidars can produce a false reading if the target vehicle is greater than about 500 feet, the beam spread is wide enough to cause problems. At closer ranges the narrow beam must be aimed at the same vehicle surface or risk a speed error from 1 to 25 mph. Additionally lidars will produce a false speed reading by scanning the ground, no moving targets required. The Police Radar Handbook has the answers as to why you might have received that undeserved citation. The book explains proper radar and lidar use, and results of improper use. In many instances errors are predictable knowing just the general setup.

It's easy to recognize improper radar or lidar use by first understanding basic operational procedures. Learn about microwave and laser radar limitations, errors, and misinterpretation of readings resulting from improper use or a lack of understanding. Microwave and laser radars are precision instruments that accurately measure speed - when used properly, as designed. Design constraints limit how the radar or lidar should be located and used. Some police operate outside design limits unknowingly or to hide from motorist, resulting in unreliable readings easy to misinterpret. This book includes a basic description of microwave and laser radars, and their differences. Correct setup procedures are explained, and results when protocol is not followed. Results vary from speed errors to mis-identified vehicles. Many errors are predictable knowing just the general setup. Victims of microwave radar or laser radar (lidar), and police, will appreciate the easy to follow and understand information not found in radar or lidar user manuals or specifications.

While many police departments effectively use radar to control traffic, there are still numerous instances of improper use. To operate traffic radar does not require genius, but it does require proper training as well as a basic understanding of this precision instrument. Unfortunately many people have the misperception that police radar is infallible, it is not. The "Police Traffic SPEED RADAR Handbook" is intended to familiarize the reader with the use and misuse of police radar by examining basic scientific and engineering principles in detail. There are numerous instances of unintentional (and a few intentional) abuses. Observing speed limits does not guarantee immunity from an undeserved ticket. Includes microwave and laser radar operation -- how radar works, proper use, limitations, potential operator errors, and common misreadings and mistakes. General situations are analyzed for potential, probable, and sometimes inevitable speed errors. In many instances errors are predictable knowing just the general setup. Basic radar theory, physics, and mathematics are used to prove all findings. All technical information and conclusions quantifiably described using illustrations, graphs, tables, or mathematical formulas -- based on or derived from fundamental scientific and engineering principles, published factory specifications, empirical data, or U.S. Government documents. Victims of microwave or laser police radar (or speed timing systems, pacing, visual estimate) as well as professionals involved with traffic law enforcement (Judges, attorneys, paralegals, police, prosecutors), accident reconstruction specialists, science and engineering professionals, educators and students will appreciate the detailed technical information and explanation.