Questions on Chp radar accuracy

[wdtsmgtr]

What is the name of your state?CA
Last Memorial day I received a speeding ticket for 72 in a 55. I was in our mini-van and had just come around a curve with a posted warning of 50mph. As I cleared the curve I saw the CHP unit. I immediately glanced at my speedometer and observed that I was doing about 65, give or take 2mph. At that point, I set the cruise at 62 and hoped for the best. He caught up to me about 2 minutes later and wrote the citation after offering to let me see the stored speed. Is it possible for the radar units to "miss read" speed when both vehicles are coming off of curves? He was coming around a second 50mph curve.
Second question. I was about 200-300yds behind a pair of other vehicles traveling a pace sufficient that I was not gaining on them, at 62 or 67. I had been following them for about a mile. Is it possible that he still had their speed stored in the radar unit? How are the speeds "stored'? is it an operator function or automatic in the unit?
Finally, I would just plead guilty and take traffic school, but this is my second offense within one year. No, I am not a habitual speeder, just unlucky in the last year. These two citations are number 3 and 4 in 24years of licensed driving. Thank you, looking for a way out in California.

[CdwJava]

The speed is locked in by the operator. They do not automatically remain. When a new target is acquired, that speed replaces the prior one.

Now, it IS possible to get an inaccurate speed off of a curve as the radars are designed to measure the reading on a straighaway. However, I BELIEVE that their reading would be low around a curve.

Your best bet to TRY and beat it would be to hire an attorney that specializes in traffic cases.

- Carl

[Robbie0723]

[URL=http://www.floridadrivers.com/speed_traps/problems_police_radar.php]Police Radar Accuracy[/URL] (probably not any help in court.)

[CdwJava]

I believe the CHP uses the most recent Stalker Dual radar units in their vehicles (we just bought some for our department as well), so many of the errors mentioned in the report are probably not going to be an issue.

- Carl

If (big word) the radar reading is ruled bad, then the cop will say that due to his expert training and experience, he is of the opinion that you were doing 72 in a 55.

[wdtsmgtr]

Thanks to all who resonded. I realize my odds aren't that great, however it is good to be able to present some facts which I now have after reviewing the Stalker website. Using that big word, "if" the radar is ruled invalid, the officer might have a tough time demonstrating that the "soccer-mom" mini-van was taking 50mph curves at 72 without straying into the opposite lane. We'll see what the judge says on Wednesday.
Thanks again for the feedback

Originally Posted by wdtsmgtr

Thanks to all who resonded. I realize my odds aren't that great, however it is good to be able to present some facts which I now have after reviewing the Stalker website. Using that big word, "if" the radar is ruled invalid, the officer might have a tough time demonstrating that the "soccer-mom" mini-van was taking 50mph curves at 72 without straying into the opposite lane. We'll see what the judge says on Wednesday.
Thanks again for the feedback

the officer might have a tough time demonstrating that the "soccer-mom" mini-van was taking 50mph curves at 72 without straying into the opposite lane

This happens a lot; I doubt that he will have any trouble at all proving this.

Anyway, good luck and you are welcome.