The laser beam can target a specific vehicle, unlike radar, which targets a general area- leaving the officer’s training as the determining factor regarding which vehicle was actually speeding. According to the Amador Unit’s Public Information Officer Craig Harmon “This new technology enables officers to track the speed of a vehicle from any angle, including perpendicular, or across the hood of a car.

This technology is extremely accurate and pinpoints vehicles accurately as well states Harmon, leaving it less vulnerable to challenge by a motorist cited for speeding. Currently, the use of this technology by an officer requires that a training certificate be obtained through an educational class and hand on training class. Several of the Amador Unit personnel have the correct certificate already, including Officer Brian Hagemann, pictured here using the technology. Yesterday afternoon the Lidar was introduced to the county on Hurricane Hill. Yesterday afternoon’s test run of the technology netted 28 speeding citations and many warnings to motorists. The average motorist cited was going over 70 miles per hour, with several drivers topping the 80 mile per hour mark.

4 CHP units conducted the trial of the new technology and special grants for speed enforcement were used to pay for the additional personnel and overtime.