Bill Allowing Local Police To Use Radar Approved By PA Senate

HARRISBURG, PA — Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are moving forward on a proposal that would allow local police to use radar to target speeding drivers.

The Senate on Tuesday approved legislation allowing municipal police to utilize radar for speed enforcement. Senate Bill 607, sponsored by Senator Mario Scavello, will now move forward to the House.

“All states but Pennsylvania permit their local police to use radar for monitoring traffic speed. In Pennsylvania, only the State Police are currently authorized to use radar,” said Scavello. “It makes no sense that the state allows municipalities to use red light cameras to curtail unsafe driving, but does not allow the use of this World War II era technology.”

The bill includes a revenue cap on the amount of money a municipality can keep from speeding tickets, Scavello noted.

“The only way the local police can enforce and enforce properly is with radar,” the Senator said.

Police across Pennsylvania support the bill, including the Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge and the PA Chiefs of Police Association.

A similar bill passed during the Senate's last session but died in the House, the Associated Press reports.