Card image

Complimentary Traffic Ticket Case Evaluations. Call Now. (315) 364-1155

Traffic Ticket Articles

Can a Police Officer Visually Estimate the Speed of Your Car?

by Seth Azria on 4/28/2019

Prompted by a supporting deposition that stated the officer made a visual speed estimate that was verified by radar, some drivers question the permissibility of such visual estimates. 

Can you be convicted of speeding by evidence from a police officer’s visual estimate of your speed without a mechanical device?

Officers May Visually Estimate Speed 

Yes, the officer may visually estimate your speed and the judge may rely on the officer’s opinion of your speed to support a conviction. Of course, the officer has to be properly trained in such independent visual estimation, have experience in doing so, and have an acceptable level of accuracy.

Radar May Also Establish Speed

The prosecution may also use the evidence of speed from the radar device.  For decades, radar devices have been accepted by courts as evidence of speed, provided they are properly used and tested within a reasonable time before that use.

Each basis, visual estimate or mechanical measurement, independently, may support a conviction. So when there is, as in most cases, a combination of a visual estimate and radar device evidence, if one type of evidence fails, for example because the radar wasn’t tested properly, the court may still convict based on the other method.

Pacing or Driving Behind You is Also Permitted 

In addition to the radar and the visual estimate, the officer may also establish your speed with the patrol car’s speedometer by “pacing” your vehicle. That is, maintaining a fixed distance between your car and the patrol car.

Some drivers mention that the officer followed behind them and didn’t pull them over right away. Rather than a reason to attack the ticket, the officer is likely pacing the vehicle to improve the quality of their testimony should there be a trial.  

These different and redundant methods for proving a speeding charge makes trials difficult to win for drivers. While your case may likely lose at trial, it does not mean we are unable to help you. Please call us for free consultation about how we can help you resolve your ticket.

Need help with your ticket?

One speeding conviction may cause premiums to increase over $2,000 in three years. The Zebra. 

Don't plead guilty. Consult with Us.

Our experienced traffic defense lawyers are available to talk to you about your case.

Free Consultations. Call Now.
(315) 364-1155


 

Can't talk now?

Schedule a time for a lawyer to call you when it's convenient.

 Schedule a Call for Later

Azria & Bruffett PLLC BBB Business Review

Top Rated Award Winning Law Firm in Syracuse


Top Rated Award Winning Law Firm in Syracuse


Top Rated Law Firm, Syracuse NY

 
Hire your traffic lawyer online. Start Now
Google Review

I am very please with Seth Azria services and I would definitive recommend them.

Google Review
They were able to reduce 11 points down to nothing and I didn’t have to pay as much as I thought. I would definitely recommend them, as well as utilize their services again.
Google+ Review

Being from out of state, I was happy to find a law firm that was so easy to work with. They were able to get my ticket reduced and they did all the leg work for me. Everything was very straight forward and easy to understand. Hopefully I won't need them in the future but if I do, I know where to turn!

Speeding ticket

Excellent service, heading to niagara fall I got a speeding ticket, they were able to reduce the ticket, no points in my license, thanks, highly recommend this office.

Manny posted to Avvo

Traffic Ticket Lawyers: Statewide

Azria & Bruffett has helped thousands of clients minimize the effect of their traffic tickets. We have experience in courts all over New York State which helps us handle your case effectively and efficiently.

We offer always offer free traffic ticket consultations. In your consultation, you will learn the best way to handle your ticket,  even if that means you don't need to hire us. We will cover the possible outcomes, costs, and timing of your case. 

  1. Email us now and an attorney will call you soon, 
  2. Schedule an appointment to speak with a lawyer; or, 
  3. Call us now: 315-364-1155.

Our traffic defense lawyers handle nearly all tickets pending in most of the courts and counties below:

Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties.