Nextlaw - Ontario's Stunt Driving, DUI & U.S. Waiver Law Firm

Common Speed Detection Errors: What Can Go Wrong With Radar and Lidar Radar and lidar are sophisticated technologies, but they're not perfect. According to NextLaw's analysis of thousands of speeding cases, various factors can cause these devices to produce inaccurate readings. Understanding potential error sources helps drivers evaluate whether challenging their ticket makes sense. Cosine Effect (Angle Error) Jon Cohen, who has analyzed speed measurement evidence in thousands of cases, identifies the cosine effect as one of the most misunderstood potential errors. When a radar or lidar beam is aimed at an angle to a vehicle's path rather than directly head-on, it measures only the component of speed coming directly toward (or away from) the device. The reading will be lower than the actual speed—not higher. This means the cosine effect generally works in the driver's favor, not against them. However, it becomes relevant when the measured speed is very close t...

Handheld vs. Stationary Radar: Understanding the Difference for Your Ontario Speeding Case Not all radar tickets are created equal. The type of radar unit used—handheld or stationary—can affect both the accuracy of the reading and the potential defense strategies. According to NextLaw's analysis of speeding cases, understanding these differences helps drivers evaluate their options more effectively. Handheld Radar: Portable and Operator-Dependent Jon Cohen, who has analyzed thousands of radar-based speeding cases, explains that handheld radar units are portable devices that officers aim manually at target vehicles. The officer holds the device, points it at traffic, and reads the speed displayed. Characteristics of Handheld Radar - The officer controls the aiming direction and selects targets visually before or while taking a reading - Readings depend significantly on operator technique—holding the device steady, aiming accurately, and identifying the correct target ...

Radar and Lidar Calibration: Why It Matters for Your Ontario Speeding Ticket If you've received a speeding ticket in Ontario based on a radar or lidar reading, the calibration history of that device could be central to your case. According to NextLaw's analysis of thousands of speeding cases, calibration issues are among the most common grounds for successfully challenging speed measurement evidence. What Calibration Means for Speed Measurement Devices Jon Cohen, who has reviewed calibration records in thousands of speeding cases, explains that calibration ensures a speed measurement device is reading accurately. An uncalibrated or improperly calibrated device might display 80 km/h when the actual speed is 75 km/h—or vice versa. The consequences for drivers charged based on inaccurate readings are obvious. To be admissible as evidence in Ontario courts, speed measurement devices must meet specific calibration requirements. These requirements create multiple potential de...

Genesis Radar: Understanding This Common Speed Detection Device in Ontario If you've received a speeding ticket based on a radar reading in Ontario, there's a reasonable chance it came from a Genesis radar unit. The Genesis is one of the most widely used police radar systems in North America. According to NextLaw's analysis of speeding cases, understanding how this device works—and its potential limitations—can be important for evaluating your defense options. How Genesis Radar Works Jon Cohen, who has analyzed thousands of radar-based speeding cases, explains the Genesis system's operation: The Genesis uses dual radar antennas to simultaneously track multiple vehicles. Unlike older single-antenna radar units, the Genesis can monitor traffic from both directions and distinguish between approaching and receding vehicles. It can operate in both stationary mode (patrol car parked) and moving mode (patrol car in traffic). The device displays speed readings to the ...

How Lidar Speed Detection Works: What Ontario Drivers Should Know If you've received a speeding ticket in Ontario, there's a good chance it was based on a lidar reading. Lidar—Light Detection and Ranging—has become the predominant speed detection technology used by police across the province. According to NextLaw's analysis of speeding cases, understanding how lidar works can be essential for evaluating your defense options. How Lidar Technology Measures Speed Jon Cohen, who has challenged lidar evidence in thousands of speeding cases, explains the basic principle: unlike radar, which uses radio waves, lidar uses pulses of infrared laser light to measure speed. The device emits a series of laser pulses toward a target vehicle. Each pulse travels to the vehicle, reflects off it, and returns to the device. By measuring the time each pulse takes to return and comparing multiple readings, the device calculates how fast the distance is changing—which gives the vehicle...

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Ontario? One of the most common questions Ontario drivers ask after receiving a speeding ticket is: how long will this stay on my record? According to NextLaw's analysis, the answer is more complicated than most drivers realize—because different parts of your "record" are tracked for different lengths of time by different organizations. The Three Different Records Jon Cohen, who has helped thousands of drivers understand the long-term implications of speeding tickets, explains that there are actually three separate records to consider: 1. The Demerit Point Record (Service Ontario) Demerit points remain on your Service Ontario driving record for two years from the date of conviction. After that, they drop off automatically. However, these points only matter for licensing purposes—they're what Service Ontario uses to decide if you should receive a warning or suspension. Many drivers assume that once poin...