Radar guns and tickets, how does it work?

[Jiminy]

No, seriously, I mean it.

Ok, this is the background. This afternoon, I was on the highway arriving in Petone from Wellington. Shortly before the Petone exit, there is a crossing with a small road coming from the left. And parked by the crossing, there was a cop sitting in his car and pointing his radar gun at us. No problem, I wasn't speeding.

Now here is my first question. Once they catch someone, what do they do? Is there a camera of some sort that takes a picture, do they have to start the disco lights and chase the offender, or is there another patrol waiting a few k's down the road (haven't spotted any)?

Because at this crossing you can also join the opposite lane, there is a second question. Can the cops point at the traffic going in the opposite direction and catch speeding vehicles? I've assumed that they can, so I've duly warned all bikes I came across for the next minute or so of riding wondering if it was of any use.

As a side note, there were heaps of cops out there today. I've passed 5 or 6 cars in a 3 hours ride. But none in the Upper Hutt - Waikanae road, strangely enough

[Max Preload]

Normally they'll pursue themselves, but sometimes there are organised operations with one picking off speedsters and another down the road getting their details radioed and pulling them in (used to happen a bit on the Wellesley St off-ramp before they did the changes). There's no camera, no time stamp of the speed on the gun - nothing to say who it is - basically you rely on the honesty of the cop.

Yes, they can work either direction, but practicality suggests working only in the direction they can most easily and quickly pursue.

PS: I saw a highway patrol cop on the road to Piha today - now that's a first. I also saw a bike cop on Old North Road heading towards SH16 about 6 weeks back too. They're really changing their habits.

[Swoop]

...there was a cop sitting in his car and pointing his radar gun at us.

If he was pointing a hand held device, it would be a laser, not a radar.

[Max Preload]

Technically, if it was a cop he wouldn't have any "RADAR"...

[Jiminy]

If he was pointing a hand held device, it would be a laser, not a radar.

Point taken.

Am I allowed to contest the fine if it's a laser instead of a radar?

[Max Preload]

Point taken.

Am I allowed to contest the fine if it's a laser instead of a radar?

You're allowed to contest any infringement offence. Whether it's worthwhile however, is another matter.

In the case of laser, it's pointed at a specific vehicle and a reading taken. The DSR Stalker microwave used by the Police however doesn't identify the vehicle - it's up to the operator to determine which is fastest moving.

[Swoop]

Am I allowed to contest the fine if it's a laser instead of a radar?

Most certainly. As our boys in blue here would say... "go for it - knock yourself out".
A ticket is an "Infringement notice" and should be treated like an invoice.
If you agree to it, pay it.
If you don't, contest it.

[scumdog]

Most certainly. As our boys in blue here would say... "go for it - knock yourself out".
A ticket is an "Infringement notice" and should be treated like an invoice.
If you agree to it, pay it.
If you don't, contest it.

But be aware contesting it is not an automatic "don't have to pay" , sometimes you win, sometimes you don't.

[Swoop]

But be aware contesting it is not an automatic "don't have to pay" , sometimes you win, sometimes you don't.

I imagined your droll tone of phrase when writing that... for some reason!

[CookMySock]

The DSR Stalker microwave used by the Police however doesn't identify the vehicle - it's up to the operator to determine which is fastest moving.

These microwave units are actually quite technical to use.. Not so much the device themselves, but the interpretation of it. Put simply, if the operator does not have a full understanding of its principles of operation, it's operating procedure, and the law associated with it, the device itself is of little use. And if the unit blares a warning and offers an offending speed on its display, if the officer was not paying full attention to the busy traffic beforehand, it is unlikely he will get a paying customer from it unless said customer tearfully confesses all.

The bottom line is, if you run smack-dab into a microwave unit in light or no traffic you are fucked, especially if he leaves it turned off until you are real close - kinda like shooting a duck at point-blank range. If the traffic is heavy, or the environment is cluttered, or the operator is not paying attention, you could likely wiggle your way out of a fine, unless of course he is using a LIDAR (laser) gun, then you are fucked again.

Get a radar detector.


Steve

[bully]

theres lots of little tricks, unfortainatly, i wont be sharing as last time i got told i was full of it buy a police man from here, must have upset him with one of them, they do that, maybe ull find them in some old treads. maybe ill let you know if you wana pm me. good luck.

[Patrick]

These microwave units are actually quite technical to use.. Not so much the device themselves, but the interpretation of it. Put simply, if the operator does not have a full understanding of its principles of operation, it's operating procedure, and the law associated with it, the device itself is of little use.

True... which is why an operator must be certified to use it.

There are modules to study, exams to prove "understanding" and actual hours (about 20 hours nowadays I think...) of use "under supervision," before one gets certified.

[Patrick]

theres lots of little tricks, unfortainatly, i wont be sharing as last time i got told i was full of it buy a police man from here, must have upset him with one of them, they do that, maybe ull find them in some old treads. maybe ill let you know if you wana pm me. good luck.

Go on... tell us again. You might be on to something.... or it might be funny.... I will give ya me honest opinion...

[Usarka]

Go on... tell us again. You might be on to something.... or it might be funny.... I will give ya me honest opinion...

I know how to stop a police pursuit....but i think it would be a little irresponsible to post it here.....

[hospitalfood]

my experience of how they work goes like this :-

i speed
they get it on radar
they pull me over
they give me a ticket


it is not a whole heap of laughs for me