Technology to Better Enforce Tailgating

Police and Law Enforcement News
Monday, December 5, 2006 10:05 a.m.

PHOENIX  -  The Arizona Department of Public Safety has acquired a neat new toy to help enforce tailgating.

From KOLD:

New laser devices that measure the distance between two moving vehicles are allowing Arizona authorities to dole out tickets to tailgaters.

Officers with the Department of Public Safety are citing hundreds with tailgating tickets that can cost more than 100 dollars. And more are to come.

D-P-S has nine of the devices, all being used in the Phoenix area. The department is looking to buy 19 more with an 80-thousand dollar grant.

The laser devices -- called Lidars -- track the speed of two vehicles and then calculate the distance between them. The devices can also be used for speed detection and accident reconstruction.

These hand held units are made by Colorado based Laser Technology and go for about $3,995.00 each.

For more information on radar vs. lidar, the website PoliceOne.com has a very good article here.

Police and Law Enforcement News
Monday, December 5, 2006 10:05 a.m.