Politics & Government

Move to Allow Local Police to Use Radar Defeated

Pennsylvania is the only U.S. state that does not allow local police to use radar.

A proposal to give local police a standard tool to enforce speed limits was defeated.

Only state police in Pennsylvania are authorized to use radar to determine when an individual is driving at an unsafe speed.

State Rep. Steven J. Santarsiero, D-Bucks, wants to change that law, but said his efforts —to help local police keep Pennsylvania roads safe —were thwarted by House Republicans last week.

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During a House debate on a bill that would make texting while driving a crime, Santarsiero offered an amendment that would let local police use radar when enforcing speed limits on local roads, according to a release from his office.

For background, click here.

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The Republicans defeated the amendment using a procedural motion made by Rep. Kathy Watson, R-Bucks, the release states. In her argument, Watson claimed that the amendment had nothing to do with traffic safety and should be ruled not germane. 

"The Republican defeat of my amendment is greatly disappointing," Santarsiero said. "My amendment considers the protective interests of Pennsylvania citizens. Forty-nine other states already allow their local police to use radar. It's high time that we give local police departments the ability to use radar to calm traffic and protect citizens. Unfortunately, the Republicans thought differently."

Santarsiero said local police have long requested the use of radar to help make neighborhoods safer.

The tool would also provide greater efficiency to police departments, he said.

Earlier this year, Santarsiero introduced a bill (H.B. 1475) to accomplish those tasks.

"Today's amendment mirrored that bill," the release states. "The measure would allow radar use by full-time local officers who are employed by full-service police departments in first-, second-, second-A and third-class counties and who have undergone training that has been approved by both the Pennsylvania State Police and the Municipal Officers’ Education and Training Commission."

Under the bill, each local governing body would adopt an ordinance before the use of such devices and signs must be erected 500 feet outside the boundary of a political subdivision to notify motorists of the use of radar.

Although Republicans opposed the amendment, Santarsiero said he will keep working to see the measure enacted.


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