(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 (2) or (3) within a
school zone or an active work 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 devices 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.
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