Pacing as Virginia Beach Speed Detection

There are multiple tactics and tools that police can use to measure the speed at which a car is driving in Virginia Beach, one of which is pacing. Pacing refers to a situation in which a police officer measures a person’s speed by following behind him, driving at a speed to where there is no change in distance between the car and the police officer’s car. Although speed radars are used more frequently, many people still get speeding tickets from a police pacing them. Someone that would like to know more about speeding tickets, or has been given a speeding ticket that they would like to fight, should contact an experienced speeding ticket attorney.

How Does Pacing Work?

Pacing as Virginia Beach speed detection occurs when a police officer sees a person and believes they are traveling at a high rate of speed, the officer pulls in behind the person, usually a couple car lengths back to keep a safe distance, and then accelerates to the point the person is not pulling away from the police officer. The police officer will follow them for a period of time (at least two-tenths of a mile) and reports the number on their speedometer.

How Can Pacing be Proven?

In order to prove pacing, the officer must testify to everything the person did to ascertain the final speedometer reading. If the police officer has their camera turned on, it may show them driving, and that the distance is not changing. Most of the time, the police officer’s cameras are not on to catch the driving.

Influence of a Pacing Argument in Court

Pacing can be used, but it is not as reliable as a radar gun or a laser because the officer moves at a speed and has to make sure the distance is the same and that their speedometer reflected they were traveling that rate of speed. It is easier to overcome at court than if it was a radar or a laser case.

The most important factor that can be contested in court is how long the police officer was following a person. The police officer has to get to a point where the distance between the two cars is not changing, and that is very difficult to do, especially with hefty traffic. Again, pacing as a speed detection method in Virginia Beach is often unreliable.

Distance an Officer Needs to Travel

There is no minimum requirement in Virginia Beach for the distance an officer must travel for pacing as a method of speed detection, but the usual minimum is two-tenths of a mile. That is generally the shortest distance that a police officer can pace the person and have the judge find it reliable. There have been cases where police officers have paced for shorter distances than that, but the judges are more likely to dismiss the charge because they did not follow long enough to truly establish speed.

Not Maintaining Consistent Speed and Distance

It is less likely the judge is going to find a person guilty of speeding at the charged speed if the police officers cannot prove conclusively that they were going that speed. If the distance changed consistently and the officer could not establish a person’s speed, it is more likely that the charge would be dismissed or reduced. Pacing as Virginia Beach speed detection can be challenged.

Contacting an Attorney

If you have been given a speeding ticket by a police officer that used the pacing method to read your speed, you should immediately contact a Virginia Beach speeding ticket lawyer. Pacing as Virginia Beach speeding detection can often be unreliable.

An experienced lawyer is well-informed on the laws regarding speeding tickets in their jurisdiction and can help craft an exceptional defense case for you. An attorney can also help increase the chance of you ticket being dropped or reduced.