North Carolina RADAR State Practice Exam

In legal contexts, what does proving a vehicle was speeding typically require?

1. Instantaneous speed readings only

2. A combination of observational and measurement evidence

3. Visual estimation by any police personnel

4. Only the RADAR's output

The correct answer is: A combination of observational and measurement evidence

Proving that a vehicle was speeding often requires a combination of observational and measurement evidence. This approach not only helps establish the fact that a vehicle was exceeding the speed limit but also strengthens the case by providing supporting information from multiple sources. Observational evidence may include the officer’s visual estimation of the vehicle’s speed, corroborated by the device measurements, such as those obtained from RADAR or LIDAR technology. Using just instantaneous speed readings or the RADAR's output alone may not be sufficient, as they could be contested without observational backing. Similarly, visual estimation by police personnel, although valuable, lacks the reliability of objective measurement and could be influenced by various factors, making it less credible unless corroborated by precise data. Therefore, the integration of both types of evidence—observational and measurement—is crucial for effectively demonstrating speeding in a legal context.