Mississippi has one of the nation’s lowest percentages of traffic deaths tied to speeding, yet sheriffs say they need radar guns — a tool currently banned for county law enforcement — to help curb dangerous driving on rural roads.
Forrest County Sheriff Charles Sims and the Mississippi Sheriffs Association argue radar would give deputies a critical enforcement tool. He points to multiple crashes in the past two years that killed children, saying the tragedies highlight the risks of unchecked speeding.
“It’s very, very frustrating when we know the technology is out there for us to utilize to try and deter speeding on these county roads and lower ... that death rate and injury rate, and yet — we’re not allowed to do it because the Legislature has always excluded us from that particular law,” Sims said.
Mississippi law prohibits radar use by sheriff’s deputies. Only the Highway Patrol and certain municipal police departments are allowed to use it. Deputies instead rely on “pacing” — matching a vehicle’s speed — to issue citations. Sims said it’s a flawed system and has pushed for the law to be changed since he took office in 1981.
Republican Rep. Gene Newman has introduced radar bills every year since being elected in 2020, but each has died in committee, including House Bill 1089 this year.
“It’s just like running through a stone wall,” Newman said.
In 2023, 19% of Mississippi’s traffic deaths were tied to speeding compared to 29% nationally, according to federal data. While radar might aid enforcement, research is limited on whether it directly reduces fatalities. Still, Louisiana and Arkansas allow sheriffs to use radar and both report lower overall traffic death rates than Mississippi.
Advocates say Mississippi lawmakers fear radar would become a revenue tool, as it has in parts of neighboring states. Newman argues there is middle ground: “You got a sheriff that you elected to uphold the laws in your county, but you don’t trust him to run the radar.”
The community is also divided. Some residents say radar would deter reckless drivers near schools and major intersections. Crystal Walker, whose husband is a former police officer, said expanding radar would give deputies the backing they need.
“People have kind of timed it out where they know patrol officers are not going to be in certain areas,” she said.
Others worry radar would only lead to more tickets, echoing concerns about speed traps.
Despite repeated setbacks, Newman said the push will continue. Supporters are now considering a statewide ballot referendum to bypass lawmakers.
Sims said the goal isn’t punishment but prevention.
“We want people to realize that speeding is dangerous,” he said.
