North Carolina RADAR State Practice Exam

If the closing speed is 70 mph and the target speed is 30 mph, what is the patrol speed?

1. 100 mph

2. 40 mph

3. 70 mph

4. 30 mph

The correct answer is: 100 mph

To determine the patrol speed when given the closing speed and target speed, you can use the concept of relative speeds in pursuit situations. The closing speed represents how quickly the distance between the patrol vehicle and the target is decreasing, which is the sum of the patrol speed and the target speed. In this scenario, if the closing speed is 70 mph and the target speed is 30 mph, the formula to find the patrol speed is: Patrol Speed = Closing Speed + Target Speed Substituting the values into the formula: Patrol Speed = 70 mph (closing speed) + 30 mph (target speed) = 100 mph This calculation confirms that the patrol speed must be 100 mph to achieve a closing speed of 70 mph while the target is moving at 30 mph. Understanding this relationship between closing speed and the speeds of the vehicles involved is critical for law enforcement in pursuit scenarios, allowing for appropriate speed adjustments and tactics while maintaining safety.