How must you position yourself when operating LIDAR or stationary RADAR in relation to traffic?

When operating LIDAR or stationary RADAR, positioning yourself at a distance of 500 feet from the traffic you are monitoring is crucial for several reasons. First, this distance ensures that you are far enough away to avoid any obstructions caused by the vehicle itself or other objects, which could interfere with the accuracy of the readings.

Secondly, being at a greater distance provides a clear line of sight for your monitoring device, allowing for a more direct and unobstructed measurement of the speed of approaching vehicles. At this range, you can accurately capture the speed without the influence of environmental factors that might skew the results—like reflections from nearby objects or interference from other moving vehicles.

Additionally, positioning yourself at this distance fosters safety for both the operator and the drivers on the road, reducing the likelihood of creating a hazardous situation due to the proximity of enforcement activities to moving traffic. Thus, a 500-foot distance not only maximizes the accuracy of speed detection but also enhances safety for all road users.