Did you ever get a radar or lidar speeding ticket even through you weren't speeding, chances are the officer was not properly setup or misinterpreted the radar reading. The radar was not measuring you but a different vehicle or a false alarm. In many cases the radar was setup in a way it could not possibly measure your vehicle. Microwave radars measure the strongest vehicle reflection, not always the closest vehicle. Microwave radars have sensitive receivers, nearby transmitters and high power sources can induce false signals and false speed readings. Moving mode radar has multiple sources for incorrect speed readings that depends on traffic close to the radar and reflective stationary objects, like guardrails or highway signs. Lidars can produce a false reading if the target vehicle is greater than about 500 feet, the beam spread is wide enough to cause problems. At closer ranges the narrow beam must be aimed at the same vehicle surface or risk a speed error from 1 to 25 mph. Additionally lidars will produce a false speed reading by scanning the ground, no moving targets required. The Police Radar Handbook has the answers as to why you might have received that undeserved citation. The book explains proper radar and lidar use, and results of improper use. In many instances errors are predictable knowing just the general setup.

Popular Science gives our readers the information and tools to improve their technology and their world. The core belief that Popular Science and our readers share: The future is going to be better, and science and technology are the driving forces that will help make it better.