In Virginia and DC, the possession and use of Radar Detectors are illegal. I had to give up mine when I moved here back in November ’06. However, I never had the chance to explain my beliefs on why these devices should be legal.
Myth: Radar detectors reduce speed of drivers.
False. Speeding is usually a conscientious behavior many people make when either late or fulfilling their own need to go faster. A Radar Detector doesn’t grant someone that right. However, I’ll mention that radar detectors do probably aide on one’s decision to speed.
Myth: Radar detectors prevent police from giving you a ticket.
False. Radar detectors only will alert the driver after the officer is acquiring your vehicle’s speed. I would find it very difficult for one to reason with a judge citing that “my detector didn’t go off, so I should be dismissed.”
Myth: Radar detectors danger everyone else when someone speeds.
False. I can think of many additional factors that danger everyone else when on the road. In fact, I think radar detectors keep the roads safer because the driver is generally more attuned to the risks that affect their driving. Many detectors now available offer the ability to detect ambulance strobe patterns, thereby alerting the driver there is an emergency vehicle approaching. This can be especially valuable when the driver has their windows up or their radio’s volume up.
Myth: Radar detectors promote illegal activity.
False. The drivers that choose to speed make an active choice to violate the law. On all the packaging of radar detectors, they always state that you must obey all local traffic laws.
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Radar detectors receive the signal that is already being blasted at it. It’s a radio frequency (in the 27-38GHz band), so it is nothing special. It is not a police vehicle detector, contrary to popular belief. The effectiveness is greatly reduced when LIDAR (Infrared, “laser”) speed measurement devices are used on a speeder due to their 600-1000nm wide beam.
If a driver wishes to spend their money on these devices, they should be able to. I would suggest a sticker to be placed on packages advising of the local traffic enforcement laws, so ignorance isn’t an excuse.
My conspiracy theory is that the manufacturers of Radar Detectors (Cobra, Bel, Whistler, Escort, etc.) probably share their secret sauce with law enforcement speed measurement companies (LTI, Kustom Signals, etc.) so the police can keep up with the technology.
What do you think? Should Radar Detectors be legal or not? Let me know in the comments.
{ 8 comments }
Most of this is pure crap. Obviously written by someone who has not ever used a good radar detector! If you had, you might think different about the ability to detect radar. Radar Detectors along reduce your risk of a ticket, but add other counter measures and you will reduce it even more.
Stick with the best countermeasures and not cheap devices or gimmicks.
stlouisx50,
If it weren’t for the supporting opinion to go along with the blogspam for your Web site (that I conveniently removed), I’d normally just delete your comment; however, I want to publicly own you on your argument.
First, I’ve used several different radar detectors in the past in true “real life” applications on both highway and city driving. Both environments offer benefits as well as drawbacks. For instance in the city you have the advantage of multiple cars surrounding you, but the disadvantage of the likelihood of an officer using LIDAR to get you. On the highway you are isolated, but officers there often use RADAR so you have advanced notice as to stuff. Also, I have many friends who invest in $400 detectors which are top rated, and they aren’t fool-proof — it’s science.
Radar detectors offer less than favorable chances for receiving a ticket, let alone any countermeasures. In fact many states are adopting legislation to make it a fine to own a detector (like VA and DC), and several currently view the use of one as a means to evade law enforcement and fine you accordingly.
Without spamming your site, I implore you to share what would be the best countermeasure in your experience. Personally, I find that Whistler’s work great, but a high-end Cobra will get the job done and not leave your wallet dry.
~ Joe
Well radar detectors might possibly help someone break the law by getting away with speeding!
Just like guns might help someone break the law by killing someone!
Wait, am I doing this right?
Oh and LMAO at removing that idiot’s blogspam.
I have been using radar detectors from quite a long time and I find them really very useful, i don’t understand why some states in USA do not allow it, I think the makers of the radar detectors should talk to the government to lift all the bans from radar detectors so that it can be used for good!
with respect, none of your arguments are particularly cogent.
i love driving and yes, i do sometimes make the conscious decision to speed (e.g. late at night when the roads are empty and I judge it to be safe or if i’m running late), but it’s pretty much impossible to argue against the public policy rationale of making speeding illegal and having speed cameras to catch offenders. don’t get me wrong, if i lived somewhere where it was legal to have a radar detector, i would probably get one. i’m just saying, though, that it kinda boggles the mind that these devices are legal ANYWHERE and there are very few convincing reasons for them to be legal.
I think it should be legal in all states, personally.
The decision to speed is made by the driver, even without a radar detector in the car. Without one, if they see the officer, they're most likely going to slow down, anyway. If the radar typically beeps after the police officer has gotten a reading, then there's no point in arguing how it helps people evade speeding tickets.
People should be allowed to carry a radar especially if they can alert drivers to oncoming emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks as mentioned in the blog, that way they have more than enough time to pull over, instead of heading the sirens and realizing it might be coming your way at the last moment and hoping you can pull over enough in time.
I really see this as an excuse to speed. Yea, the ambulance thing is a cute cover up, but if you really believe it doesn't help people evade speeding tickets, then what is the POINT of having one?
Surely, you can keep your music at a level where it would be safer for you and others on the road so that you can be more aware of your surroundings? I doubt that's why the majority of people get one.
Here are the facts:
A person wants to speed and not get caught, so they by a police radar detector in order to detect a police radar and slow down before they get a speeding ticket. Point blank. Ask anybody, who won't bull crap you about the matter, why they bought one.
Let's not fuel people's “need for speed.”
BTW, “Character is what you would do if you would not be found out.”
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