There's an important House Bill on a lot of people's radar.

House Bill 38, sponsored by Rep. Mario Scavello, R-176th, would authorize local police officers to use radar guns to catch speeders. Similar bills have been introduced in past years. Scavello is optimistic that this time the measure will pass.Hearings on House Bill 38 will be held in Monroe County and Harrisburg at locations and times to be announced. Pennsylvania is the only state where local police officers are not authorized to use radar guns."The time has come for our local police departments to be able to use this piece of important equipment," Scavello said. "I was a former mayor, and I've seen the limitations of VASCAR, especially in the towns and boroughs." VASCAR stands for Visual Average Speed Computer And Recorder."My goal is to make sure that people aren't speeding in congested areas," he said. "I want to protect the people in a community who are in places where you can't set up VASCAR."Sgt. Duane Frederick of Rush Township, said that although VASCAR is effective, it requires a bit of setup time. Typically, the officer puts two white lines on a road, with about 300 feet between the lines."You need a fairly straight stretch of road, so the officer has a good line of sight," Frederick said. "The officer often uses it in the same area, and people learn those zones."They don't speed in the zones, or they slow down when they see the white lines on the road," Frederick said. "If we could use radar, we could use it anywhere."VASCAR limitationsTamaqua Police Chief Richard Weaver agreed that being authorized to use radar would benefit local forces since it can be used in places where VASCAR can't."With the VASCAR method, the officer has to have a start and stop point by having lines on the road, using a tree, sign or whatever," Weaver said. "With that method the officer has to see both objects or lines. Radar is more advantageous to officers because it takes less preparation, is easier to use, can be used in more areas and is widely accepted in court.""Some people are opposed to it because with the stronger enforcement. There will be more fines, points on your license, which in turn causes an increase in insurance premiums," Weaver said."Some people feel some departments will use radar guns strictly for revenue, and some probably would. However, if someone is speeding, they are in violation whether it is used for revenue or not."Trooper Adam Reed, public information officer for the Pennsylvania State Police, said that radar has a couple of key advantages over VASCAR."We are in favor of local police being allowed to use radar," Reed said. "Radar is very portable, and the officer doesn't have to go through a lengthy setup for it."You just plug it into the vehicle and take it anywhere you need it," he said. "Troopers are trained in its use in the academy."Included in the language of the bill is the requirement that the local officers must complete a training course approved by the state police and by the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission.House Bill 38The bill defines which municipal police officers will be authorized to use the radar guns. The officers must be "full-time police officers employed by a full-service police department of a political subdivision or regional police department."The bill defines a "full-service police department" as one that is authorized by one or more political subdivisions, provides 24-hour-a-day patrol and investigative services, and reports activities monthly to the state police in accordance with the uniform crime reporting system.A "full-time police officer" is defined as an officer who has all required certifications; is a regular, full-time officer; and is provided coverage by a police pension plan. The term does not include auxiliary, part-time officers or fire police.If House Bill 38 is approved, local governments must adopt ordinances authorizing their police to use radar guns, and only issue warning notices to speeders for three months after the ordinance is adopted.Not the signMost drivers have encountered the flashing sign, operated by radar, which displays their actual speed as they pass.Many local police departments obtain traffic safety grants and use the "speed display signs" as a means of reminding drivers to slow down.Studies have shown that 80 percent of people who are speeding slow down when they see their actual speed on the sign.Although the signs reflect the driver's actual speed, local officers don't use them to catch speeders although the police departments may set up a VASCAR speed check area in the same vicinity.