United States Department of Transportation
i
The Effectiveness of Laser and Radar Based Enforcement Programs for Deterrence of Speeding
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1997-02-01
[PDF-3.20 MB]
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Edition:Final report
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Abstract:This report documents the results of a study to determine the community-wide effectiveness of laser-based speed enforcement programs relative to radar-based programs. Jurisdiction-wide speeding enforcement programs were implemented and evaluated in two sites. One site, (Council Bluffs, Iowa) used laser speed measuring devices exclusively in enforcing speed laws, while the other site, (Dubuque, Iowa) used radar speed enforcement equipment exclusively. Both sites increased their speed enforcement activity during the program period and both supported their enforcement efforts with a publicity program aimed at increasing the public's perception of the risk of being caught and cited for a speeding violation. Results showed that the radar-based enforcement program had a positive community-wide effect on speeding, while the laser-based enforcement program did not have a community-wide effect on reducing speeding. Nevertheless, compliance with speed limits was maintained at pre-program levels in the laser site. Possible reasons for the absence of a more pronounced effect at the laser site include its higher baseline level of speed limit enforcement, a better baseline level of compliance with speed limits, and its elimination of all moving enforcement during the test. The absence of an easily detectable signal which advertises the presence of enforcement activity may also have contributed to the lack of a pronounced effect. Laser speed measuring devices worked well from an operational standpoint, providing results that could be used effectively to prosecute accused speeders. They are especially effective in situations requiring the targeting of specific vehicles in heavy traffic. A test of several laser detectors was also conducted, and results showed that by the time the driver reacted to the detectors' alarms, the targeted vehicle's speed was already captured. /Abstract from report summary page/
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