0. RADAR Operator Course Unit Two Speed Offenses & Speed Enforcement
State of New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Police Training Commission
RADAR Operator Course
Unit Two
Speed Offenses & Speed Enforcement

1. Speed Offenses & Speed Enforcement
This unit will cover:
The basic understanding of the association between speed offenses, motor vehicle crashes, and the injuries associated with these crashes.
The major types of speed regulations
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

2. Three Elements Affected by Increased Speed
Operator
Basic driver’s capabilities
Reaction time/distance
Higher speed increases severity & injury
Vehicle
Braking
Vehicle dynamics
Roadway
Roadway design
Roadway deficiencies
Environmental conditions
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

3. Perception / Reaction Time & Distance
Average perception / reaction time is 1.6 seconds
The time it takes to perceive a hazard and react to it
The distance the vehicle travels in that 1.6 seconds is determined by its speed
Convert Miles Per Hour to Feet Per Second
Multiply MPH by 1.466
Example for 50 MPH
50 X = 73.3 FPS
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

4. Perception / Reaction Time & Distance
Average perception distance
Based on 1.6 seconds
Multiply FPS by 1.6 seconds
Example for 50 MPH
73.3 X 1.6 = 117 feet
Braking distance is added to reaction distance to get total stopping distance
This distance is determined by vehicle speed
Adverse weather conditions increase this distance
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

5. Perception / Reaction Time & Distance
Will a vehicle be able to stop in time to avoid a pedestrian who runs into its path?
The vehicle is traveling at 35 MPH,
It needs 60 feet of braking distance to stop,
The driver perceives the pedestrian as a hazard 110 feet away.
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

6. Perception / Reaction Time & Distance
Answer: No !
Vehicle is traveling 51 fps
It will travel 82 feet prior to braking
Add to that the 60 feet of braking to a stop
Total distance is 142 feet
The pedestrian was 110 feet away
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

7. Total Vehicle Stopping Distance
20 mph
64 feet
Perception-Reaction Distance +
Braking Distance =
Total Stopping Distance
110 feet
30 mph
164 feet
40 mph
50 mph
228 feet
300 feet
60 mph
471 feet
80 mph
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

8. History of Speed Regulation
First traffic law in America in New Amsterdam (New York City) prohibiting riding or driving a horse at a gallop within city limits
First regulations on automobile traffic in Hartford, Connecticut. It set speed limits of 12 MPH in the country and 8 MPH within city limits
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

9. Types of Speed Regulation
Basic Speed Law
Holds that no one should drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions
What is “reasonable and prudent”
Existing conditions – road / vehicle / driver
Was New Jersey law until 1954
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

10. Types of Speed Regulation
Prima Facie Speed Limits
“At first glance”
“In the absence of further proof”
Limit posted is reasonable for area
Driver may show evidence their speed was reasonable
Abandoned after 1950’s – prosecution involved interpretation of safe speed limit
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

11. Types of Speed Regulation
Absolute Speed Limits
Prohibits driving in excess of posted speed limit, regardless of “existing” conditions
These limits are currently in place in New Jersey
Only proof needed is that motorist exceeded the posted speed limit
Circumstances or conditions do not apply
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

12. National Maximum Speed Limit
Congress established 55 MPH in January 1975 in response to the fuel crisis
1987 amended to allow 65 MPH
1995 Congress deregulated speed limits allowing states to set their own
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

13. New Jersey Speeding Statute
25 MPH School Zone
Recess with children clearly visible
Children going to/from during opening/closing hours
Must be posted with “School Zone” signs
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

14. New Jersey Speeding Statute
25 MPH Residential
300 foot frontage,
Over 600 foot section,
At least one side.
State v. Zeus (1959)
State v. Mundy (1970)
25 MPH Business
Along one side, or
Collectively on both sides.
RADAR Operator Course
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15. New Jersey Speeding Statute
Suburban 35 MPH Zone
Residential or business type zone
Over a distance of 1,320 feet
More than 660 feet of land frontage
On one side or both sides collectively
Must be Posted
RADAR Operator Course
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16. New Jersey Speeding Statute
Rural Speed Zone
50 MPH
All other areas not previously indicated
Not Residential, Business, or School
RADAR Operator Course
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17. New Jersey Speeding Statute
65 MPH Interstate or State Highways
Set per NJSA
39:
39:
39:
Posting Required
RADAR Operator Course
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18. Speed Limits - Certain Circumstances
Construction Zones (N.J.S.A. 39: )
Fines Doubled
Must Note on Summons
Speed limits may be lowered for heavy traffic periods (rush hour)
Heavy vehicles & equipment may have lower speed limits
CMV, speed 15+ over limit is “serious traffic violation”
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

19. Legal Authority to Set Speed Limits
Municipal or County Jurisdictions
- Certified ordinance or resolution
- Must be certified by Commissioner of Transportation
RADAR Operator Course
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20. Six Elements of a Speeding Offense
Driver
- Identity can be inferred based on presentation of valid DL
Vehicle
- Make / model / year
Date & time of violation
Location of violation
- NJ street, road, or highway
- Specificity required on summons
Lawful speed limit
- Statutory
- Posted
Alleged speed of violator
Remember that EXACT speed is not an Element of the offense; you need to show that the limit was exceeded
- Exact speed is needed for calculation of fine upon guilty finding (NJSA 39:4-99)
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2

21. Statutes – Enforcement of Speed
39:4-98.1
Lower speed for trucks
39:4-98.2
Local authority to lower speed limit for 72 hours
39:4-100
Speed over sidewalks 4mph
39:4-102
Speeding by physicians
39:4-103
Military vehicles exempt
39:
Pass a school bus, opposite side of road 10 mph
39:
Pass a frozen dessert truck 15 mph
39:4-98
Rates of speed
39:4-99
Alleged speed on summons
39:4-203
Fines
39:4-52
Racing on highway
39:5C-1
39:4-96
Reckless
39:4-97
Careless
RADAR Operator Course
Unit 2