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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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