Prepare for the North Carolina RADAR State Exam with essential insights and practice questions to boost your confidence. This comprehensive resource will guide you through the exam requirements, helping you maximize your chances of success.

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What is the primary requirement of the pacing method for speed measurement?

  1. To maintain a distance of more than 200 feet

  2. To match the speed of the violator

  3. To follow at a safe and close distance while gauging speed

  4. To keep the patrol vehicle behind the violator

The correct answer is: To follow at a safe and close distance while gauging speed

The correct answer emphasizes the need to follow at a safe and close distance while measuring the speed of a violator. This approach allows the officer to accurately gauge the speed by comparing it to their own vehicle's speed, which is critical in determining whether a traffic violation has occurred. Maintaining a close distance enables the officer to better assess the speed over a specified distance, ensuring that the measurement taken is both effective and reliable. This method relies on the principle that an officer can use their own speed as a reference to evaluate how fast the violator is traveling. A safe following distance ensures that the officer has enough time to react to any sudden changes in traffic or the violator's behavior, maintaining safety for all road users. Other options do not align with the primary requirement of the pacing method. For example, maintenance of a distance greater than 200 feet may not provide the accuracy needed for speed measurement, while keeping the patrol vehicle behind the violator does not facilitate the effective gauging of speed required in this technique. Matching the violator's speed is a part of this method, but the essential aspect is the ability to do so at a safe distance for accurate measurement.