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  1. #1

    Default Can an Officer Estimate Your Speed While Looking in a Side Mirror

    My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: CA

    My cop used his side mirror to visually estimate speed @ 1000 feet. Is that generally reliable?

    When CHP cops do 50 stationary tests of speed by visual estimation, how many are done at 1000 ft or greater?

    Of the 50 stationary tests, how many are done @ BOTH 1000 ft. AND through a side mirror?


    TYIA

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    California
    Posts
    20,594

    Default Re: Is a Visual Est. of Speed 1000 Ft, Via a Side Mirror, Generally Reliable

    I'd say it is certainly a good question to ask and could well render the estimate into question. Though, if affirmed by a radar reading, that's a different story.

    The details will matter a great deal.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Northern California
    Posts
    832

    Default Re: Is a Visual Est. of Speed 1000 Ft, Via a Side Mirror, Generally Reliable

    Yes, yes they can. The number of stationary estimations done at 1000' depends on each officer. The amount done through a mirror is up to the officer. Mirror of direct view is not noted on the 100 estimations. I commonly use a mirror.

    I don't build trusses but if all I did for a job for 8-12 hours a day was build trusses, I'd get to be pretty damn good at it. Don't think that because you can't do it that someone else can't.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Is a Visual Est. of Speed 1000 Ft, Via a Side Mirror, Generally Reliable

    Yes he can. the last email was correct, "when you do it all day". Keep in mind all courts are a little different. One judge might buy your argument but most probably won't. I did it all day long. Keep in mind also , even though an officer might state in his affidavit "100", keep in mind also that he is actually estimating speeds thousands of times a day. Think of when you are driving. Do you make a visual estimation of the cars driving in the lanes that you have to enter or cross ? Of course you do. when you drive to work you probably estimate hundreds of speeds. After all, that is part of driving. How many times have you been driving or stationary somewhere and you noticed a fast car. You even stated to someone, "That guy is flying". Now add in to the story, that it is your job. That you add a specific need to be correct and observant.

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