Overview-Only two states restrict the use of radar speed enforcement systems, i.e. Pennsylvania and Mississippi. In Mississippi under Mississippi Code of 1973, SEC. 63-3-519 county sheriff’s departments may not use radar or laser to enforcement speed limits. Further restriction are made with the code of radar being allowed for local law enforcement officials in cities with a population in excess of 2,000 persons and on college and university campus with a student enrollments in excess of 2,000 students. The 2006 session of the Mississippi Legislature saw several laws introduced to extend use of police radar to county sheriff officials, i.e. House Bill 975, House Bill 643, House Bill 619, House Bill 505, and House Bill 390. All of these bills died in committee. Pennsylvania Vehicle Code prohibits the use of police radar systems by local municipalities restricting its use for state police activities in speed enforcement. State police in Pennsylvania have used radar since 1962. Attempts to reverse the restricted use of radar and laser systems have failed to be passed into law in Pennsylvania although studies quoted by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association showed 68.2% of the Pennsylvania public support local use of radar for speed enforcement. Local authorizes in both Mississippi and Pennsylvania must use other means to enforce local speed laws, namely VASCAR. Many challenges have been made to the accuracy of VASCAR. Pennsylvania Code, Title 75, SEC. 3368 apparently makes allowances in these perceived deficiencies defining specific speed variances allowable: “(4) No person may be convicted upon evidence obtained through the use of devices authorized by paragraphs (2) and (3) unless the speed recorded is six or more miles per hour in excess of the legal speed limit. Furthermore, no person may be convicted upon evidence obtained through the use of devices (VASCAR) authorized by paragraph (3) in an area where the legal speed limit is less than 55 miles per hour if the speed recorded is less than ten miles per hour in excess of the legal speed limit.” The purpose of this instruction is to provide practical experience with current VASCAR equipment, improve operator competency, review equipment limitations, and produce necessary academic and field competency to allow students to instruct and certify other police personnel in the correct, accurate operation of VASCAR systems.

Specific Training Objectives of Course

1. Understand and describe the relationship between excessive speed, accidents, fatalities, and injuries.
2. Understand and describe the benefits of effective speed control and highway safety.
3. Understand and describe the history of speed enforcement.
4. Understand and describe the principles of Time-Distance speed formulas.
5. Develop and demonstrate calibrating of Time Distance systems.
6. Understand the impact of court rulings, regulations, policies, and procedures regarding the effective
   operation of Time Distance speed measuring instruments.
7. Demonstrate necessary preparation for appearing for courtroom testimony in describing speed
   measurements made by Time Distance instruments.
8. Demonstrate the ability to establish a valid visual tracking history by visual estimation of target
   vehicle speeds.
9. Demonstrate 100% accuracy in setting up, calibrating, and operating a Time Distance speed
   measurement instruments.
10. Describe the five operating configurations of Time Distance speed measurement systems.
11. Demonstrate the establishment of valid reference points used in accurate speed measurement
    by Time Distance speed measurement systems.
12. Describe the necessary elements for prosecution of speeding offenses.
13. Demonstrate the ability to instruct and certify other law enforcement personnel in the stated objectives.
14. Demonstrate 100% competency in 25 clocks made with Time Distance speed enforcement systems.
15. Answer correctly cross examination questions made by defense attorneys in Time Distance
    speed enforcement court proceedings.

A. Pre Instruction Examination

1. Objective-A fifty (50) question examination will be administered to all students prior to formal instruction to determine the student’s level of knowledge of the subject.

Time Allotted-30 minutes

B. Introductions

1. All students will introduce themselves identifying their law enforcement experience with VASCAR. Students will relate their most interesting excuses given by drivers for speeding.
2. Instructional staff will introduce themselves giving brief statements of resume qualifications.
3. Correct answers to pre-instruction examination will be given by instructors.

Time Allotted-30 minutes

C. Mock Trial

1. Random students will be placed on witness stand and asked germane VASCAR questions
   consistent with established court precedent and judicial notice of VASCAR rulings from several
   jurisdictions in the United States and elsewhere.

Time Allotted-1 hour
Instructional Break-15 minutes

D. The Speeding Problem

1. A review of local and national fatality and injury statistics will be reviewed using current
   data provided by USDOT Traffic Facts. Review PA 120 requirements-Audio Visual-Powerpoint
2. A factual and graduated history of traffic laws in the United States will be presented.
3. The results of the USDOT funded study conducted by Martin J. Parker, “The Effects of
   Raising and Lowering Speed Limits”, USDOT-FHWA-RD-92-084, will be given
   with handout summaries available-Audio Visual-Powerpoint
4. A chronological history of speed enforcement technologies will be offered showing the development
   of radar, i.e. S band, X band, K band, Ka band, laser 904 nanometers, VASCAR-Audio
   Visual-Samples of radar guns, laser guns, and VASCAR units provided by Traffic Safety
   Systems Inc., www.vascarplus.com, and Kustom Signals Inc., www.kustomsignals.com.
5. Theory of operation of VASCAR. A review of speed compilation formulas presented along with
   stationary, moving, VASCAR operation with examples. Transmission interfaces and video
   interfaces will be given along with recommended VASCAR operational parameters as outlined
   by materials provided by the Criminal Justice Center, State of North Carolina, Master VASCAR Instructor Course, 10/05. Audio Visual-Powerpoint
6. Speed Assessment Countermeasures-Products designed to defeat enforcement technologies-Audio
   Visual-30 minute video courtesy of ABC News, CBS News, NBC News

Time Allotted-1 hour
Instructional Break-15 minutes

E. Performance Objectives-Field Exercises

1. Students will be separated into teams and elect a team leader. Each member of each team will
   make twenty-five (25) visual tracking field estimates of speeds of target vehicles. Team
   captains are to record the estimates of team members. Actual speed of the target vehicles will
   be determined by direction sensing radar guns. Students are expected to be accurate in their
   visual tracking estimates of at least +/- 2 MPH. This will be a supervised field exercise. Upon
   completion team captain will report each student’s performance to the class.
2. Each team member will make twenty five (25) distance estimates of target vehicle. This is
   important in officer’s establishing the correct distance parameters for the operation of
   VASCAR units. Visual estimates of distance of moving target vehicles will be confirmed
   with the use of police laser guns provided by instructors. Laser guns are to be operated in the
   single shot range mode. Team captain will record the estimates of each student. Distance
   estimates by students should average +/-50 feet of the actual distance recorded by laser.

Instructional Break-Lunch 1 hour

3. Each team captain will be given one VASCAR units either provided by instructors or those
   brought by team members. VASCAR units brought by team members must have instruction
   manuals. Each team will conduct a team meeting and install and make operational their
   assigned VACAR unit. Each team member will observe correct set up and calibration
   procedures. After observation, each team member will then turn off the VASCAR unit and
   disconnect it from the powering source. The team member will then reinstall the VASCAR
   unit and replicate the set up and calibration procedures. Per the operator instruction manual
   each team member will follow instructions for daily set up and calibration procedures.
4. Team captains will establish a practice course per the instruction manual of the provided VASCAR
   unit. This course is to be no greater than 1/8th mile, 660 feet, nor less than .07 mile, 369 feet
   per the recommendation of the North Carolina Master VASCAR Instructor Course, rev 10/05,
   as recommended by NHTSA and the Association of Chief Police Officers Traffic Committee,
   Enforcement Technology National Guidance Manual, subsection 18.6, 1/93. The beginning
   and ending points should have shadows which strike the target vehicle at the beginning
   and ending point of the measurement distance. This “shadow” recognition is also
   recommended by the above mentioned agencies. Each student is to make twenty-five (25)
   “clocks” of different vehicles on the VASCAR course established. Clocks are to be recorded
   by team captain on forms provided by instructional staff. VASCAR units are to be operated in
   the stationary mode. Each student is expected to maintain 100% accuracy in setting up,
   calibrating, and operating each VASCAR unit. Recorded clocks are to be within +/- 2 mph
   of speeds as recorded by police radar guns operating at no great than a 5? incident angle
   from the approaching vehicle to reduce cosine angle error, i.e. a 5? incident angle produces
   a cosine error of all radar and laser guns resulting in a 1 mph error. Team captain are to
   report to the class the performance of each student. Student are to make ten (10) moving
   VASCAR speed compilations with five (5) of the ten (10) in the same lane assessing the
   speed of a vehicle ahead of them and five (5) of the ten (10) with the target vehicle in the
   opposite lane approaching. Team captains are to record for classroom presentation student
   performance. Actual speeds of vehicles in this moving exercise are to be compared to those
   reported by two piece radar units in the moving same and opposite lane configurations. At the conclusion of the Field Exercises each student is expected to understand the principles and operation of VASCAR speed detection systems including correct calibration, calibration checks, theory of operation, setting a course, calculation of feet per second by applying the formula of multiplier of 1.467 to mile per hour measurement, perform twenty five (25) speed clocks
   stationary, ten (10) moving speed clocks moving and develop recognition of shadow reference points in measuring vehicular speeds.

Time Allotted-4 hours
End Day One

Day Two VASCAR Master Instructor Course

A. Legal Precedent And Judicial Notice Of VASCAR

1. An analysis of court decisions pertaining to the use of law enforcement speed measurement
   devices including VASCAR is to be presented by instructor. Copies of the benchmark
   decisions are available to students. This section is not included in “VASCAR Operator” course.

a) California v. Krueger, Pantos, & Payne, case #s 887092, DP 44339, DP 54571-this
decision deals with the necessity of officer training in operation of measurement devices.

b) Honneycutt v. Kentucky, 1996, 408 SW 2d 421-this case deals with the necessity of officers
understanding the physics involved with speed enforcement systems and the necessity
of officer training.

c) New Jersey v. Rubbinaccio, Greene, Maccarone, & Mohammed, 1998, New Jersey
Superior Court-Judge Reginald Stanton ruled on the maximum distances to be used in
measuring speed of suspect vehicles.

d) Ohio v. Wilcox, 1874,-deals with officer training

e) Connecticut v. Tomanelli, 216 a 2d, 625, 1996,-necessity of speed measurement systems
daily calibration

f) New York v. Persons, 60 misc, 2d 803, 303 N.Y. 2d 728, 1969-admissibility of VASCAR
speed readings

g) New York v. Rothstein, N.Y., 1 misc, 2d 576, 152, N.Y.S. 2d 757-necessity of calibration
of VASCAR units on a daily basis

h) New York v. Sachs, 1 misc 2d 148, 154, 147 N.Y.S. 2d 801, 807-accuracy of VASCAR

i) New Jersey v. Schmiede, 289 A. 2d 281, 118 NJ Superior 576, 1972-established training
requirements for operation of VASCAR by law enforcement personnel with performance
standards given of “VASCAR readings must be within the actual vehicle speed +/-
2 mph and officer must demonstrate at least 30 clocks within that tolerance.”

j) New York v. Leatherbarrow, 1972, ruled against VASCAR evidence as officer failed to
present his credentials and certification to use VASCAR and estimate speeds to the
court. This resulted in a speeding violation being reversed by the court.

k) New York v. Olsen, 22 N.Y. 2d 230, 292, N.Y.S. 420, 239 N.E. 2d 354, 1968-Verified
visual tracking history evidence by a trained and certified police officer is prima facia evidence of a speeding infraction and by itself sustains a speeding conviction.

i) New Jersey v. Profaci, inadequate training of VASCAR operator dismissed citations.

Time Allotted-2 hours
Instructional Break-15 minutes

B. Student Demonstrations

1. Team captains are to report to the class the averaged scores of team members on visual
   tracking speed estimates, distance estimates, and results from each student’s twenty five
   (25) with the provided VASCAR unit.
2. Team captains are to compared the averaged speed estimates gained from VASCAR to
   speeds measured by police radar guns that were used to verify speeds. Team captains
   are to compare the average speed estimates gained from VASCAR to speeds of radar
   radar guns placed in the “stop watch” mode. Team captains are to report the visual
   average distance estimates of students to the distances recorded by police laser guns
   set in the “single shot range mode.”
3. Individual students are to demonstrate to the class the correct set up and calibration
   procedure of each VASCAR unit as described in the instruction manual of the device.
   This procedure requires a set course used daily for calibration by the officer not to
   exceed 1/8th mile (660 feet) or be less than 370 feet.
   Instructional Break-15 minutes
4. Students are to describe to the class the following reference point delineations: a moving
   shadow of a stationary object, a moving object on a stationary object, a shadow to
   shadow contact, physical contact of vehicle wheels with a reference point, and when
   both vehicles are side by side.
5. Student are to identify and explain the operational features of each VASCAR unit. Students
   are to describe the ideal clocking set up including road surface, time of day, and other
   limiting or contributing factors.
6. Students are to explain the differences between moving and stationary operation of a
   VASCAR unit. The explanation should include: patrol car following a target vehicle,
   patrol car meeting a target vehicle from the opposite direction, patrol car parked, patrol
   car parked at a T intersection, target vehicle approaching from the rear, angular clocking.
   *note: student reporting will account for 50% of final grading. A score of 75% on student
   presentation, i.e. equipment and functional Competency by field exercises combined with final examination of re-administration of fifty (50) question examination will be equally weighted in determining final score of student by instructional staff
   

Time Allotted-4 hours
Instructional Break-Lunch 1 hour

C. Recertification

1. Consistent with NHTSA recommended VASCAR instruction of the North Carolina
   Justice Center, and recommendations for operator certifications of police radar and
   laser systems as outlined by NHTSA and IACP, VASCAR recertification is
   recommended for each officer every three (3) years. The recertification course is
   comprised of eight (8) hours of instruction equally divided between field Competency and classroom activities conducted by a Certified VASCAR Master Instructor. Further,
   certification of the accuracy of VASCAR system is recommended every three (3) per
   the above mentioned agencies by an independent testing facility.

D. Final Written Examination And Class Evaluation

1. Each student will complete a final examination titled Master VASCAR Instructor Course
   Examination comprised of fifty (50) questions taken from instructional material
   contained in this instructional syllabus.
2. Students are requested to complete the VASCAR Class Evaluation Form (SML-MV-rev 6)
   comprised of twenty questions evaluating the quality and content of the presented
   instruction. This Evaluation is confidential and does not contain the student’s name.
   Results are to be used to improve instructional content and presentation based on
   students comments and evaluations.

Instructional Break-15 Minutes

E. Graduation

1. Students attaining an overall passing score of 75% which is the equally weighted scores
   of classroom presentations, field estimates and competency, and final written
   examination shall receive Master VASCAR Instructor Certification.
2. Successful students shall receive certificates within three weeks.
   

Time Allotted-4 hours
End Day 2
rev 02/06-mvic-SML

Instructional Membership Affiliations:

International Association of Chiefs of Police
Texas Sheriff’s Association
INO Police Association
Traffic Speed Measurement Committee-MWSWZDI
FCC-RS Radiolocation KNNN392
Master Speed Enforcement Instructor-Law Enforcement Services LLC
MADD Charter Member, Tarrant County

Publications by SML (partial list): Speeding and Speed Limit Compliance in Western States, The Reporter, Aug. 1997, Warn Them With Radar, Journal of Emergency Medical Services, Nov. 1998, Improving Work Zone Safety With Radar, Better Roads, Feb. 1999, Photo Speed Enforcement, Law Enforcement Technology, Sept. 1999, Work Zone Speed Limit Compliance In Four States, Roads and Bridges, Jan. 2000, Evaluation of Speed Trailer Effectiveness In High Speed Work Zones, Texas A & M University, Texas Transportation Institute USDOT#00-1475, Jan. 2000, Radar Speed Reporting Systems Effectiveness, University of Nebraska, Mid-American Transportation Institute, April 2000., Slowing Them Down In Deadly Speed Zones, Better Roads, June 2000, Radar Trailer Effectiveness in School Zones, Law and Order Magazine, Aug. 2000, Controlling Community Speeds, Police and Security News, Oct. 2001, Digital Radar and Laser Gun Technology Review, Police Magazine, Feb. 2002, Radar Activated Speed Display Effectiveness, MWSWZDI, University of Kansas, May 2002, Radar Detectors, Jammers, and The Law, Police and Security News, Aug 2002, Safety Town, Law and Order Magazine, Aug. 2002, New Digital Radar Technologies, Police and Security News, April 2003, Speeding Evidence, Police and Security News, Oct. 2003, Detecting Radar Detectors and Probable Cause, Blue Line Magazine (Canada), Nov. 2003, Radar Detector Detectors, Law and Order Magazine, April 2004, Officer Speed Enforcement Certifications, The Police Journal, June 2004, Annual Radar and Laser Gun Review, Police and Security News, June 2004, The Speeding Vaccine, The Police Journal, Fall 2004, Effective Speed Controls, Police and Security News, Feb. 2005, Point and Shoot: New Digital Radar Technologies, The Police Journal, Spring 2005, Local Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, The Police Journal, Fall 2005, DWI Blood Evidence, The Police Journal & Texas Lawman, Spring 2006. Articles submitted for 2006: Noise Abatement Strategies, VASCAR Speed Accuracy Compared To Police Radar, New Laser Gun Review, School District Policing, Speed Enforcement Around The World. Copies of published articles available to students upon request.

It is hereby attested the curriculum contained in this instructional syllabus is consistent with VASCAR certification standards outlined in NHTSA recommended programs of the North Carolina Justice Center, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Traffic Committee Enforcement Technology National Guidance Manual, and Law Enforcement Services LLC, Library of Congress catalog #98-87615.

Attested To:

Carl Fors, B.S., M.S., President
Speed Measurement Laboratories Inc.

Content/Graphics © 2003-2006 Speed Measurment Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.