CHICAGO (WBBM) -- If you happen to be caught speeding by Chicago police, chances are you could beat-the-rap just by showing up in court.
One of the kinds of devices being used by Chicago police to catch speeders has not been legally upheld in Illinois courts
Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown reports the city knows the laser-based LIDAR detectors have not been judged as admissible in Illinois, but it continues to use the devices.
LIDAR is an acronym for LIght Detection And Ranging. It uses light to measure distance and speed. Radar technology uses radio waves.
Some motorists who don’t know about the legal technicality plead guilty and get court-supervision when they could easily have had the traffic charge dropped.
The head of the Chicago police Traffic Section contends LIDAR devices are accurate and reliable.
One word of warning: Police radar devices still hold up in court. It’s the tickets with the LIDAR box checked that have the potential for being tossed.
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11/06/2009 7:56AM
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11/06/2009 9:42AM
One word of warning
It’s the tickets with the LIDAR box checked that have the potential for being tossed.
THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP !!
11/06/2009 11:32AM
Mr Voter
Oh Ya....stick it to them....
IL. Land of Corruption........
11/06/2009 12:19PM
Raise speed limits to eliminate traffic jams.
They should raise speed limits to eliminate traffic jams. Also replace stop signs with yield signs at intersections with only 2 stop signs.
11/07/2009 5:15PM
Barnet
Speed limits in the area are not set according to the Federal 85 percent rule. This allows cities to cite otherwise legal drivers. And add just one second to the yellow lights for safer intersections. Motorists.org
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