LIDAR is something that everyone dreads to hear when it comes to getting a speeding ticket, but not everyone knows exactly what the acronym stands for. Drivers should all be educated about exactly what LIDAR means and about how it can be used as evidence that you were illegally exceeding the speed limit.

What is LIDAR?

An acronym for “Light Detection And Ranging,” LIDAR is remote technology that is used to electronically track the speed of a car.

LIDAR is a bit different that radar in that it is a laser unit that tracks the speed of a target. You will find that the state of California is equipped with LIDAR technology. LIDAR uses laser technology to track the speed, light and the distance of a target vehicle. There are several important facts about LIDAR and its use as a speed-testing measure that you should be aware of:

The word LIDAR is synonymous with the words Radar and Laser. The difference is that “Radar” stands for radio detection and ranging.
While Radar uses the Doppler shift of measurement, LIDAR can track speed by referencing the changing time that it takes to see reflecting pulses of light during a particular period of time.
Like radar, LIDAR is basically a device that may be aimed in a certain direction by a police officer and that will track the speed of a target vehicle.
Sometimes, depending on the state that you live in, highway patrol may use helicopters to track the speed of a vehicle. LIDAR may come in handy for this method as well.

Should You be concerned?

Absolutely. The issue is that you can get a lidar speeding ticket for travelling at high speeds. The LIDAR technology is quite sophisticated, in that once a LIDAR gun is aimed at your vehicle, it instantly begins to track the speed. You should be away that LIDAR technology can pinpoint your car based on the make, model, year, the amount of chrome on the car, shape of the car, and the color of the car. With speeding ticket technology this savvy, there is no room for error.

What Can You Do?

Naturally, you can watch your speeds. Take it easy in certain areas and stay within the speed limit. Another thing that you can do is to learn as much as possible about the LIDAR equipment. Learn what errors it is capable of making. Learn the history of LIDAR as well as the background on the technology.

Getting Help

If you have been accused of speeding based on LIDAR, then you may want to consult with a qualified and experienced traffic attorney. He can help you explore options for defending yourself against the ticket or can give you guidance on advice on when to accept a plea bargain to avoid points on your license.

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