On September 6th, East Dakota Highway patrol ordered a ban of hand-held radar guns due to the possible risk of cancer.

There are concerns that the longterm exposure of radiation waves from the guns could develop cancer. The ban was ordered two month after three municipal officers in Central City filed compensation claims, saying they developed cancer from using the hand-held radar guns.

70 radar guns will be withdrawn from service. State troopers will continue to use radar units, but they will be mounted on the outside of their patrol cars.

Adam Smith, spokesman of the East Dakota Highway Patrol, states, “The feeling here is to err on the side of caution until more is known about the issue. The whole situation is under review. The move is considered to be the first of its kind by a state police agency.