North Carolina RADAR State Practice Exam

How often must speed-measuring instruments be calibrated and tested?

1. Once a month

2. Once a year

3. Once every six months

4. Only when new instruments are purchased

The correct answer is: Once a year

Speed-measuring instruments must be calibrated and tested annually to ensure accurate performance and reliability. This annual requirement is crucial for maintaining the integrity of speed enforcement and ensuring that measurements taken during law enforcement activities are scientifically valid. Regular calibration helps account for factors that may affect the instruments' performance, such as environmental conditions, wear and tear, and technological changes. The other frequencies mentioned, such as monthly or semi-annually, are not standard practices, whereas calibrating only when new instruments are purchased would not be practical, as ongoing accuracy is critical throughout their use. Therefore, annual calibration strikes a balance between ensuring accuracy and practicality in the maintenance of speed-imposing devices.