Laser Speed Guns

Laser Speed Guns are used to measure the speed of vehicles by both the Police and the Safety Camera Partnerships.

 

They can be handheld or mounted on a tripod and can also be linked to a video camera to produce evidence. This is a set up commonly used by Safety Camera Vans to catch motorists and then issue NIPs by post, without actually stopping vehicles.

 

Laser guns have been used by Police Traffic Patrols for many years and are used to target oncoming vehicles and immediately pull-in offenders to issue warnings or tickets, at the Police Officers discretion. There are a number of different laser guns that have been Home Office Type Approved.

 

How it works

The speed gun works by emitting a beam of invisible light, much like a TV remote, in a series of pulses. The operator points the gun at a moving object then pulls the trigger. This emits the laser beam which hits the moving object then bounces back to the gun. It uses the frequency of the pulses in the returning beam to calculate the speed of the object. It relies on being fired at a flat and reflective surface such as a number plate or headlight.
The laser gun is often linked to a video system that records the output of the gun (speed & distance data) on the actual video footage. This is used to produce evidence which is admissible.

Technologies used

Laser Diode

Laser Gun Facts

There are many different manufacturers and models of Laser Speed Guns

The most commonly used Laser gun, the LTI 20/20 is banned in five US states for it's inaccuracy.

Range: Usually up to 400 feet hand held, up to 3500 feet on a tripod.