HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Greg Rothman (R-34) permitting local police in Pennsylvania to use radar for speed enforcement passed the Senate today with bipartisan support. Pennsylvania is the only state in the country that prohibits local police from being equipped with speed-enforcement radar.
“We know that most collision fatalities are the result of aggressive driving, with many of those deaths occurring on local roads where we live,” Rothman said. “Our police officers do everything possible to keep our communities safe, but they do not have all the tools they need to do the job effectively.”
Senate Bill 509 would permit local radar as an optional speed enforcement tool for municipalities, provided they enact an ordinance prior to deploying its use. The bill also has built-in protections and good-government safeguards such as:
- Strict revenue limits that ensure the tool is not used to generate revenue.
- Municipalities choosing to adopt local radar must install clearly posted signage advertising the use of radar and give drivers a 90-day grace period.
- Local police officers would be required to complete a training course before use.
- Radar may only be used when an officer is in or adjacent to a clearly marked law enforcement vehicle.
- Maintaining speed buffers in existing law to ensure minor speed infractions are not penalized.
- Local radar citations may not result in the issuance of points.
“Law enforcement is under more pressure than ever, and we owe it to them to give them the tools they are asking for,” Rothman said. “It’s time for state government to empower local law enforcement by joining every other state in the nation in allowing them to use radar.”
Senate Bill 509 is supported by organizations such as the Pennsylvania Municipal League, the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, the Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, the Pennsylvania Association of Township Commissioners and the Pennsylvania State Mayors’ Association.
“The legislative changes authorizing the use of radar would reaffirm our state’s commitment to public safety,” said Hampden Township Police Chief Jason Yerg. “By deterring excessive speeding, we would not only address the number one concern consistently expressed by residents, but we would also reduce the risk of serious crashes, protect pedestrians and motorists and promote safer roadways throughout our community. Our goal is to change driving behavior, prevent tragedies and ensure that every member of the public can travel our roads safely.”
The bill can now be considered by the House of Representatives.