RXster

Here's something to consider if you're thinking about changing your retractable headlights to the ricey looking ones that are up all the time. FYI…I hold several laser patents and am an inventor.

The most reflective part of the 2nd gen RX is the headlight and the front license plate if your state requires one. The operator’s manual for the laser speedgun tells the cop to aim for the license plate. If your state doesn’t have one, then he aims for the headlight. If they are retracted, he goes for a paint or turn signal reflection. Some states now paint their tags with paint that is highly reflective at the lasers wavelength. If your state requires a front tag, get a laser tag cover because these will absorb the laser light rather than reflect it.

Red paint is very reflective
Black paint is pretty stealthy

Having said all this I just got nailed with a laser and fought it in court. 1100 ft, 61mph, laser speedgun, red car, headlights retracted. Why did I fight it? Because I’ve won tickets before (unit was out of calibration by one day) and this time I thought I could win against a non technical cop.

I found an error in the FL statute that contradicts the laser operator’s manual. During my cross exam in court, I got the cop to admit he aligns the laser per the statute and not the manual. He also admitted there was a discrepancy. I still lost because the judge asked me “does this mean all tickets written (laser) in the state of FL have this issue?” Of course they do your honor. I lost because she did not want to set a precedent case. I should have appealed and requested a jury trial, but I really don’t have the time to go through all this. The legal system is so slow it would take way too much time.

Even though I lost, you should all fight a speeding ticket. You can at least get the points thrown out and go to school if you take it to court. You don’t need an attorney. Just dress well and be very respectful in front of the judge and cop. Use English.

Here are some resource links below. Remember….
1. Be really nice to the cop while he is writing your ticket. If he’s annoyed and thinks you are going to fight it, he will keep notes to be used against you in court.
2. Never admit verbally to speeding. He will write this in his notes.
3. Ask to see the speed and distance he nailed you at and the manufacturer and model of the laser or radar gun. Write it down. Look for a manufacturers calibration sticker on the unit and note the date.
4. Ask to see the calibration records for that unit. Make sure the numbers match. One cop tried to deceive the judge in one of my cases. He quickly passed the calibration report by the judge hoping she wouldn’t look at it. I did look at it and it was out of cal by one day (required every 6 months in FL). Case dismissed.
5. You can request the officers notes, relevant statutes and the calibration records prior to trial. All you have to do is send a cert mail to the police dept (addressed to the cop). Title the letter “Request for Discovery” and ask for the information. The book by Nolo has a form letter in it.

Inspired me to fight my ticket...
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...ture_laser.xml

The company that makes the laser speed gun
http://www.lasertech.com/

Here's a few sites worth looking at
http://www.motorists.org/issues/tickets/

http://www.angelfire.com/ok/neurofeedback/speedtic.html

Excellent book on fighting a speeding ticket. Well worth the $19. Gives you form letters and what to say in front of the judge.
http://www.nolo.com/

MarkPerez

I wonder if plastic (acrilic)plate covers would change the light
beam on the front LP , because night vision,inferred,use heat
right,they can't "see" through the acrlic(plastic) because it's cold,.
Say one has a window and it's acrlic looking at the house from the outside with NV,ER,the window would be a big black square
it can't see through it ,,because it's cold,.,.,.,.my 2 cents

poormanferrari

I just got nailed with an instant on laser gun (the county just got them too). It was handheld. I was behind a slow moving Taurus and could not have gone 56 in a 35 zone. The problem is the judges in this county. The roads in Fairfax County, Virginia are so congested that the judges will nail you even if you brought an attorney.

My friend did 3 days in jail for failing to pay a speeding ticket.

I'm trying to figure whether it's worth my time (as a patent attorney, I bill out at $200 an hour) to go to court or just pay the ticket when my chances of winning is less than 30%.