What is the role of a pace vehicle in speed enforcement?

The role of a pace vehicle in speed enforcement is specifically to measure the speed of another vehicle. When law enforcement uses a pace vehicle, the officer drives a marked or unmarked police vehicle at a consistent speed to match the speed of the vehicle being observed. This method allows the officer to effectively gauge how fast the other vehicle is traveling in relation to the set speed limit.

In this context, it is essential to understand how pacing works in a speed enforcement scenario. The officer must maintain a safe distance and ensure that the pace vehicle matches the speed of the target vehicle accurately. This allows the officer to determine if the target is exceeding the posted speed limit, as the pace vehicle effectively provides a moving reference point.

The other options describe roles that do not pertain to a pace vehicle's primary function. A pace vehicle is not responsible for setting speed limits, tracking vehicle emissions, or stopping vehicles for inspection, which are duties unrelated to the pacing process used for speed measurement.