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Police get better read off lasers What is the best location for a police officer when using a radar or laser gun to determine the speed of a vehicle? Should the officer be as in line with the other vehicle as possible, or may the officer be at any angle? -- Arturo M., Olmito, Texas If a police officer points a laser at your car, Arturo, watch out. According to the Oregon State Police, lasers are the most accurate method of determining how fast a vehicle is traveling. Using a laser, an officer can pinpoint a vehicle and learn just how fast it is moving -- from any direction, as far as 1,500 feet away. To calculate a car's speed, the laser throws out a pencil-thin beam and measures the time it takes for the beam to hit its target and return to its source. That measurement is then converted to miles per hour. "With a laser, there's no doubt whatsoever" about how fast a vehicle is traveling when the beam crosses its path, said OSP Senior Trooper Tony Baker. The readings of radar guns, however, aren't as precise. But radar can be just as effective for nabbing lead-foot drivers, said OSP patrol Sgt. Ralph Nelson. Radars give the truest speed reading when a police vehicle is in line with a speeding car. The greater the angle between the officer and the speeding car, the more flawed the speed reading. "There is an error because of the angle. But the error is really a benefit to the driver," Nelson said. Radar readings at an angle are slightly lower than a vehicle's true speed, so drivers who get tickets for speeding are cited for the lower speed. ("Since You Asked'' is a daily feature in the Mail Tribune that answers questions from readers on virtually any topic of general interest. To submit a question, e-mail us at [email protected] Please include your name, address and phone number for verification. If you have specific questions about our Web site or other questions about the Mail Tribune, please send them to [email protected] ) Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA