# Speed Traps- are they legal?

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/speed-traps-are-they-legal/203429>\
**Category:** PittSpeed Off Topic\
**Created:** [August 11, 2009, 11:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/speed-traps-are-they-legal/203429 "2009-08-11T11:59:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 15

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**Author:** ![Blackbelt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blackbelt/32/5998_2.png) [@Blackbelt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blackbelt)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 5:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/speed-traps-are-they-legal/203429/15 "2009-08-12T05:14:49Z")

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> [@TW: 32" Westinghouse LCD TV](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tw-32-westinghouse-lcd-tv/40738/6):
>
> 5 is where its at… gives allocation of speedometer error. ive been pulled over for 6 over.

For RADAR it’s 6 over.  
For VASCAR it’s 10 over. From the PA vehicle code:

> 1. Speed timing devices
> 
> (a) Speedometers authorized.–The rate of speed of any vehicle  
> may be timed on any highway by a police officer using a motor  
> vehicle equipped with a speedometer. In ascertaining the speed of a  
> vehicle by the use of a speedometer, the speed shall be timed for a  
> distance of not less than three-tenths of a mile.
> 
> (b) Testing of speedometers.–The department may appoint stations  
> for testing speedometers and may prescribe regulations as to  
> the manner in which the test shall be made. Speedometers shall  
> have been tested for accuracy within a period of 60 days prior to the  
> alleged violation. A certificate from the station showing that the test  
> was made, the date of the test and the degree of accuracy of the  
> speedometer shall be competent and prima facie evidence of those  
> facts in every proceeding in which a violation of this title is charged.
> 
> (c) Mechanical, electrical and electronic devices authorized.–  
> (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the rate of  
> speed of any vehicle may be timed on any highway by a police  
> officer using a mechanical or electrical speed timing device.  
> (2) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3), electronic  
> devices such as radio-microwave devices (commonly referred to as  
> electronic speed meters or radar) may be used only by members of  
> the Pennsylvania State Police.  
> (3) Electronic devices which calculate speed by measuring  
> elapsed time between measured road surface points by using two  
> sensors and devices which measure and calculate the average  
> speed of a vehicle between any two points may be used by any  
> Police officer.  
> **(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 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. This paragraph shall not apply  
> to evidence obtained through the use of devices authorized by  
> paragraph (3) within a school zone.**
> 
> (d) Classification, approval and testing of mechanical, electrical  
> and electronic devices.–The department may, by regulation, classify  
> specific devices as being mechanical, electrical or electronic. All  
> mechanical, electrical or electronic devices shall be of a type approved  
> by the department, which shall appoint stations for calibrating  
> and testing the devices and may prescribe regulations as to the  
> manner in which calibrations and tests shall be made. The certification  
> and calibration of electronic devices under subsection (c)(3)  
> shall also include the certification and calibration of all equipment  
> timing strips and other devices which are actually used with the  
> particular electronic device being certified and calibrated. The de  
> vices shall have been tested for accuracy within a period of 60 days,  
> prior to the alleged violation. A certificate from the station showing  
> that the calibration and test were made within the required period  
> and that the device was accurate, shall be competent and prima facie  
> evidence of those facts in every proceeding in which a violation of  
> this title is charged.
> 
> (e) Distance requirements for use of mechanical, electrical and  
> electronic devices.–Mechanical, electrical or electronic devices may  
> not be used to time the rate of speed of vehicles within 500 feet after  
> a speed limit sign indicating a decrease of speed. This limitation on  
> the use of speed timing devices shall not apply to speed limit signs  
> indicating school zones, bridge and elevated structure speed limits  
> hazardous grade speed limits and work zone speed limits.  
> 1976, June 17, P.L. 162, No. 81, § 1, effective July 1, 1977. Amended 1985  
> July 11, P.L. 204, No. 52, § 3, imd. effective; 1986, March 27, P.L. 71, No.  
> 24, § 2, imd. effective.

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