What is the requirement for an officer's opinion on an alleged speed during a traffic stop?

The requirement for an officer's opinion on an alleged speed during a traffic stop is that an independent opinion about speed must be presented. This means that while an officer can estimate a vehicle's speed based on their observations, this opinion should be supported by other forms of evidence or corroborating information to make it credible and admissible in court.

In traffic enforcement, relying solely on an officer's opinion could lead to challenges if the case goes to court, as subjective judgments may be questioned. Therefore, it is essential for an officer to supplement their opinion with other evidence, such as the speed measurements obtained from speed detection devices, witness testimonies, or even traffic conditions at the time of the stop. This helps establish a clear and justifiable basis for the officer's actions and decisions during the traffic stop, ensuring that the enforcement of the law is fair and based on reliable data rather than just subjective assessment.

The presence or absence of a radar device or an officer's reluctance to provide an opinion altogether does not meet the standard of sufficiency needed for a valid claim of speeding. Ultimately, the key aspect is the requirement for an opinion to be backed by objective evidence.