How Do Police Pace a Vehicle and How Do We Challenge It in Florida?

Speeding tickets are the most common moving violation faced by drivers in Florida. Understanding how police officers measure speed is essential if you want to fight a speeding ticket and protect your driving record. Law enforcement in Florida uses a variety of speed detection methods, including radar guns, laser speed detectors, pacing, VASCAR, and aircraft speed detection. Each technique has its own way to measure speed and catch a targeted vehicle. For example, radar guns use radio waves to detect a vehicle’s speed, while laser speed detectors rely on a low powered beam of laser light for precise measurement. Aircraft speed detection involves officers in the air timing vehicles over a set distance and relaying information to police on the ground. Knowing how these methods work can help you understand your options if you receive a speeding ticket and want to challenge it in court.

The Basics of Pacing

Pacing is one of the oldest speed detection techniques still used in Florida. Unlike radar guns or laser guns that rely on radio waves or laser light, the pacing method uses the patrol car itself as the measuring tool. When performed properly, an officer follows a suspected speeder at a constant speed and constant distance, then compares the vehicle’s speed to the police vehicle’s speedometer. If the officer sees that the target vehicle is moving faster than the speed limit, a speeding ticket may be issued. Pacing is considered the most common moving violation enforcement technique after radar and laser, but it raises important questions about accuracy, officer’s ability, and human input. Many officers rely on it because it requires no radar beam, low powered beam, or radio detection technology, just a patrol car and a trained officer. Officers may also use tactics to avoid detection by the driver, such as following at a discreet distance or blending in with traffic.

How Pacing Works

The pacing method is straightforward. An officer in a patrol car identifies a suspected speeder and then follows that vehicle at the same speed. By maintaining constant distance behind the targeted vehicle for a sufficient distance, the officer can measure speed using the police car’s speedometer. For example, if an officer follows a car for a full two tenths of a mile while keeping constant speed and constant distance, and the speedometer shows 75 mph in a 55 mph speed limit zone, that car may be cited for a speeding violation. Officers may also use an electronic stopwatch, visual average speed computer, or vascar unit to determine average speed between two points. The accuracy of pacing depends on clearly identifying the start and end point for measurement, as these reference markers are critical for determining a vehicle’s speed. Aircraft officers sometimes use VASCAR and aircraft speed detection to measure average speed over longer distance. They then radio to patrol cars below to catch speeders. This shows how pacing can work both on the ground and from the air.

Devices That Support Pacing

Although pacing relies on the police vehicle, additional devices improve accuracy. The speedometer is the primary tool in the patrol car, which must be regularly calibrated to ensure accuracy. A vascar unit, a visual average speed computer, calculates average speed based on time and distance. An electronic stopwatch may be used when aircraft officers mark when a vehicle passes two points a mile or more apart. Visual average speed computer systems can also be mounted in patrol cars, combining distance and time to determine speed measurement. These devices aim to measure speed more accurately than human input alone. However, mistakes can occur if the officer does not perform the pacing properly.

Common Errors in Pacing

Pacing is vulnerable to several types of error. Some of the most common include insufficient distance, where the officer does not follow for a sufficient distance and the average speed cannot be determined reliably. Heavy traffic or a nearby car can interfere, making it unclear which car is being paced. Human input issues arise when pacing depends on the officer maintaining constant speed and constant distance, which can be difficult in heavy traffic or on roads that are several lanes wide. If the patrol car’s speedometer is not regularly calibrated, the measured speed is unreliable. Finally, officer’s ability plays a role, because the officer must be trained to detect a suspected speeder and avoid mistakes. The fact that pacing is performed by humans makes it less accurate than radar or laser speed detectors, and courts often recognize this when attorneys challenge tickets.

Comparing Pacing to Radar and Laser

Radar guns use radio waves and a radar beam to detect vehicle’s speed quickly. A radar gun emits a beam that can spread widely, which sometimes results in inaccurate readings if multiple vehicles are present. They can measure speed of a moving object at a distance, though they require calibration and may be affected by beam width or other vehicles. Laser speed detectors, or lidar, use laser light to pinpoint a targeted vehicle with a narrow beam, often aimed at the license plate. Pacing, in contrast, does not rely on radio waves, radar beam, or laser light. Instead, the police car itself becomes the tool for speed detection. While radar and laser offer faster detection and less human error, pacing relies entirely on the officer’s ability and the accuracy of the patrol car’s speedometer.

Aircraft Speed Detection

Aircraft speed detection is another form of pacing. Aircraft officers observe vehicles from above and mark when a vehicle passes two points a mile apart. Using a stopwatch or VASCAR, they calculate average speed. In this process, officers are specifically measuring the vehicle’s speed between the two marked points. They then radio detection details to patrol cars waiting below. This method avoids heavy traffic and provides sufficient distance for accuracy, but it still requires human input and accurate timing.

Why Pacing Remains Popular

Florida law enforcement continues to use pacing because it is cost-effective. It requires no laser gun or radar guns, just a police officer, a patrol car, and a calibrated speedometer. Many officers consider it reliable if performed properly. In the past six months, numerous pacing citations have been issued on Florida highways, often in areas where radar or laser detection is difficult due to traffic or road design.

How Accurate Is Pacing?

Accuracy depends on several factors. It requires that the police car’s speedometer be regularly calibrated. The officer must follow the suspected speeder for a sufficient distance. Constant distance and constant speed must be maintained. Heavy traffic or other vehicles must not interfere. If any of these conditions are not met, the speed measurement may not be reliable. Attorneys often challenge pacing tickets on these grounds.

Is Pacing Legal in Florida?

Yes, pacing is legally recognized as a speed detection technique. Courts allow officers to testify based on their observations if the pacing method was performed properly. However, because pacing depends heavily on human input, defense attorneys argue that it is less reliable than radar or laser. Florida courts require officers to prove that the police vehicle’s speedometer was calibrated, that sufficient distance was maintained, and that the officer performed the pacing correctly. Without this evidence, a speeding ticket may not stand.

How to Challenge Pacing in Florida

Attorneys may challenge pacing tickets in several ways. They can request calibration records to demand proof that the patrol car’s speedometer was regularly calibrated. They may argue that the officer followed for too short a distance to ensure accuracy. They may show that other vehicles interfered, making it unclear which targeted vehicle was paced. They may demonstrate that the officer’s ability to maintain constant distance was limited. They can also cross-examine the officer’s testimony to expose mistakes or inconsistencies. By pointing to these issues, attorneys can fight pacing tickets and sometimes have them dismissed.

Using Evidence to Your Advantage

When contesting a speeding ticket, using evidence to your advantage is key. This might involve questioning the accuracy of the speed measurement, challenging whether the police officer maintained a constant distance, or highlighting any procedural errors. For example, you can request proof that the speed detection device was regularly calibrated and that the speed measurement was performed properly. If the officer cannot provide documentation or if there are inconsistencies in their testimony, this can cast doubt on the validity of the ticket. In Florida, the burden is on the police officer to show that all procedures were followed correctly, so carefully analyzing the evidence can significantly improve your chances of a favorable outcome.

Mistakes Officers Make

Mistakes are common when pacing is not performed properly. For instance, if the officer only follows for a short distance, or fails to maintain constant speed, the measured result may be inaccurate. Other mistakes include confusing one suspected speeder for another nearby car, not keeping constant distance, or relying on a speedometer that was not calibrated. Mistakes of this type open the door for challenges in court.

When to Contact an Attorney

If you receive a speeding ticket in Florida based on pacing, contacting an attorney can make a major difference. Attorneys understand how to challenge pacing evidence, request calibration records, and cross-examine officers about their methods. They can also argue that the pacing method is less accurate than radar or laser and highlight mistakes that cast doubt on the evidence. Because a speeding violation can add points to your driving record and increase insurance costs, it is worth considering legal help. An attorney may be able to fight the ticket, reduce penalties, or even have the citation dismissed.

FAQs

How does a cop pace a car?

A police officer follows the targeted vehicle in a patrol car, maintains constant distance for a sufficient distance, and uses the speedometer to measure speed.

Is pacing legal in Florida?

Yes, pacing is legal and recognized by Florida courts, but its accuracy depends on calibration and how it is performed.

The Role of the Police Officer

The police officer is central to the process of measuring speed and issuing speeding tickets. Whether using radar guns, laser guns, or the pacing method, officers must be trained to operate speed detection devices accurately and follow proper procedures. In the case of pacing, the officer must maintain a constant speed and sufficient distance behind the suspected speeder to estimate the vehicle’s speed reliably. The officer’s ability to measure speed correctly and document the process is crucial in building a case for a speeding violation. Any errors in the officer’s actions—such as failing to keep a constant speed or not using the equipment properly—can affect the accuracy of the speed measurement and provide grounds to challenge the ticket in court.

Understanding Speeding Violations

A speeding violation occurs when a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit and a police officer measures the speed using an approved method. To effectively fight a speeding ticket, it’s important to understand how the speed was measured and what potential errors may have occurred. For instance, radar guns can sometimes pick up the speed of another vehicle in heavy traffic, while laser speed detectors may be affected by the beam width or the officer’s ability to keep a constant distance from the target. Pacing relies on the officer’s skill in maintaining a constant speed and distance from the vehicle being measured. By understanding these factors and the limitations of each method, you can better identify weaknesses in the evidence and build a strong defense against a speeding ticket.

What is the pace method for police?

The pace method involves a patrol car following a suspected speeder at the same speed, keeping constant distance, and using a speedometer, VASCAR unit, or visual average speed computer to determine speed.

How accurate is police pacing?

Accuracy depends on whether the police car’s speedometer was regularly calibrated, whether the officer followed for sufficient distance, and whether conditions like heavy traffic interfered. It is generally less accurate than radar or laser but still admissible if performed properly.

Why Pacing Is Controversial

Pacing remains a common moving violation enforcement method in Florida, but it is controversial because it relies on human input and officer judgment. Unlike radar guns or laser speed detectors that use radio waves or laser light, pacing depends on a police officer’s ability to maintain constant distance and avoid mistakes. For this reason, attorneys continue to challenge pacing tickets, arguing that they are less reliable than other forms of speed detection. If you face a pacing ticket, remember that you can fight it. With the help of an attorney, you can challenge calibration records, officer training, and whether the pacing method was performed properly. Doing so may help you avoid points, fines, and insurance increases while protecting your driving record.

Conclusion and Final Considerations

In summary, successfully fighting a speeding ticket in Florida requires a solid understanding of how speed is measured and the potential for mistakes in the process. By carefully reviewing the evidence, identifying any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and working with an experienced attorney, you can improve your chances of having the ticket reduced or dismissed. Don’t underestimate the impact a speeding ticket can have on your record and insurance rates. If you need help, reach out to a qualified attorney who can guide you through the process and help you protect your driving privileges. With the right approach, you can challenge the ticket and avoid unnecessary penalties.