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Lasers in Maryland
The state's appellate court has found that the theory of laser speed
detection devices is valid. This may likely mean that laser guns will be
given judicial notice, meaning it will be that much easier for the MD
police to make drivers pay the driving tax since they will no longer have
to prove the devices' theories in court. Radar is like that, you no
longer have to prove the theory of bouncing radio waves off of things to
detect speed.
However, laser has some serious disadvantages (in order of likely
importance):
Cost. More than 2x that of a radar unit.
Use. Can't be used while the cop car is moving. Can't shoot thru a
windshield.
Targets. Motorcycles are darn near impossible to get with a laser. The
headlight confuses the laser a little, and the small target size takes
care of the rest of the problem. Dark colored, aero cars are also hard
to hit.
Heat. Hot (HOT) days make lasers less accurate, apparently the heat
wafting off of the road surface scatters the beam, plus it adversely
affects the electronics somehow.
Sun. That's right, the ole Sun confuses the laser if it's right on the
horizon and they're shooting into the sun. It can't see it's own light.
We have learned that lasers can be used as vascar devices however.
Policeman stationed at one point zaps a sign halfway down the road and
records the distance reading, then does the same to a pole or sign
farther down the road. (that's done with the help of the gun's
electronics) The only caveat: the distance between the two signs must be
straight, no hills or curves.
You get zapped when you cross the first and last point, time is
computed, distance between the two signs is already known = revenue
enhancement.
--
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nma@genie.geis.com $29 a year.
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