Radar Detectors Potentially Illegal
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 1
As much as I think radar detectors are cool, I have avoided getting one because I believe it sets a bad example for my kids. As PassatDotd pointed out, they only serve one purpose and that's to help people break the law. As for the Communications Act pointed out, there is a difference between picking up radio broadcasts meant to communicate and law enforcement radar gun signals.
The discussion of "short" yellow lights is interesting. Never heard that angle before. Just moved from DC area and my community had announced the purchase of red light cameras. What an outcry! The only argument was that they were doing this for the money. Yea, OK, so what? I consider it a way of transferring the tax burden to bad drivers. Unless you run red lights, why does it matter? Of course, like I said, the discussion about short yellows never came up. If that's accurate, that is an interesting point. That said, I always felt we had the longest yellow lights in the country (so long in fact that people seemed to ignore them, hence increasing the occurrences of red-running, not decreasing them)
The discussion of "short" yellow lights is interesting. Never heard that angle before. Just moved from DC area and my community had announced the purchase of red light cameras. What an outcry! The only argument was that they were doing this for the money. Yea, OK, so what? I consider it a way of transferring the tax burden to bad drivers. Unless you run red lights, why does it matter? Of course, like I said, the discussion about short yellows never came up. If that's accurate, that is an interesting point. That said, I always felt we had the longest yellow lights in the country (so long in fact that people seemed to ignore them, hence increasing the occurrences of red-running, not decreasing them)
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 0
From: USA
I am outraged by the thought that radar detectors (a simple radio receiver much like a car stereo) could be deemed illegal. Though I do not promote speeding, I think this is inappropriate.
Radar detectors would be prohibited in Florida under a bill filed by a Florida lawmaker and former sheriff.
The proposal, introduced by state Sen. Steve Oelrich, would make it illegal to use a radar detector. But the measure would make using one a secondary, non-criminal traffic violation. That means that law enforcement officers could not stop you just because you have a radar detector in your car. If an officer pulls you over for another traffic violation and they discover a radar detector, they can then issue you a ticket. The legislation has the support of the Florida Highway Patrol which said radar detectors have no other purpose than to help speeders avoid traffic tickets.
The bill's sponsor is the former sheriff of Alachua County.
Radar detectors would be prohibited in Florida under a bill filed by a Florida lawmaker and former sheriff.
The proposal, introduced by state Sen. Steve Oelrich, would make it illegal to use a radar detector. But the measure would make using one a secondary, non-criminal traffic violation. That means that law enforcement officers could not stop you just because you have a radar detector in your car. If an officer pulls you over for another traffic violation and they discover a radar detector, they can then issue you a ticket. The legislation has the support of the Florida Highway Patrol which said radar detectors have no other purpose than to help speeders avoid traffic tickets.
The bill's sponsor is the former sheriff of Alachua County.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
The freedoms this and other countries have achieved came through civil disobedience. If speed limits were reasonable; if cops patrolled in marked cars (seeing is believing) instead of hiding in the bushes, etc., then, maybe you would have a point. Radar detectors simply help level the playing field.
Using a RADAR detector is civil disobedience? I doubt that. Sitting in at a University protesting a WAR might be or the election of a university president may be civil disobedience but a radar detector usage? Hardly fits the bill. Its just a tool.
As to the second point, that is kind of funny. You think law enforecement is cheating because they hide in the bushes. Maybe the bank robbers should complain because they got cameras in banks???
BTW, I'm not disagreeing not using them where legal. I think its fine. I just dont see hiding in the business as cheating
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 1
Huh?
Using a RADAR detector is civil disobedience? I doubt that. Sitting in at a University protesting a WAR might be or the election of a university president may be civil disobedience but a radar detector usage? Hardly fits the bill. Its just a tool.
As to the second point, that is kind of funny. You think law enforecement is cheating because they hide in the bushes. Maybe the bank robbers should complain because they got cameras in banks???
BTW, I'm not disagreeing not using them where legal. I think its fine. I just dont see hiding in the business as cheating
Using a RADAR detector is civil disobedience? I doubt that. Sitting in at a University protesting a WAR might be or the election of a university president may be civil disobedience but a radar detector usage? Hardly fits the bill. Its just a tool.
As to the second point, that is kind of funny. You think law enforecement is cheating because they hide in the bushes. Maybe the bank robbers should complain because they got cameras in banks???
BTW, I'm not disagreeing not using them where legal. I think its fine. I just dont see hiding in the business as cheating
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 0
From: Midland, Ontario, Canada
Well I am from Ontario and detectors are illegal here, I beleive that they are legal in western Canada.
I don't think that our speed limits are ridiculously low. Other then the 400 series hwys (same as your interstates). They are marked at 100 KM/H. Most people do 120, and that is the flow of traffic. Now and then some yohan wants to do 150+. I think that it would be a lot better if the entire road did the same speed. Speed differential is a key factor. I have been travelling in the fast lane, and some yohan decides to pull out in front of me to pass the car in front of him. They had to get in front of me to do it, who cares that there is NO ONE behind me in the lane. I then have to brake fast to avoid ramming him from behind. The intersting part of this (devil's advocte with myself) Who is right and who is wrong? He cut me off, but I was speeding. He would not have cut me off, had I not been speeding. Had he payed more attention, he would not have cut me off, he would have waited until I passed to pull out and pass the car in front of him.
There are several things to consider when raising the speed limit. But before that, back to a point in the first post I think is where it was... Based on what was said, if no one catches you speeding, were you really breaking the law? That is the point of the detector I believe. Similar to "If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around, did it make a sound?"
Back to speeds, how many accesses to that stretch of road are there? driveways, cross streets, is there a median. These are factors when determing speed limits.
Recently I heard on the radio up here of a study done on accidents over a 2 or 3 year period, and think it was done in the US. It was in reference to elderly drivers, and that in most cases, they have a hard time pulling into traffic. They cannot accurately judge oncoming car distance, or don't even see the car in the first place. Not sure if the US has the over 80 test. Up here after 80 yrs old, you have to take the driving test every 2 years. In some cases should be every year I think. (on a side note, think that ALL drivers should have to take a re-test every 5-10 years) So if you are driving along at higher speeds, and an eldery person pulls out in front of you... Will you now have enough time to react given that you want to go faster?
Sorry if I went slightly off topic.
J
I don't think that our speed limits are ridiculously low. Other then the 400 series hwys (same as your interstates). They are marked at 100 KM/H. Most people do 120, and that is the flow of traffic. Now and then some yohan wants to do 150+. I think that it would be a lot better if the entire road did the same speed. Speed differential is a key factor. I have been travelling in the fast lane, and some yohan decides to pull out in front of me to pass the car in front of him. They had to get in front of me to do it, who cares that there is NO ONE behind me in the lane. I then have to brake fast to avoid ramming him from behind. The intersting part of this (devil's advocte with myself) Who is right and who is wrong? He cut me off, but I was speeding. He would not have cut me off, had I not been speeding. Had he payed more attention, he would not have cut me off, he would have waited until I passed to pull out and pass the car in front of him.
There are several things to consider when raising the speed limit. But before that, back to a point in the first post I think is where it was... Based on what was said, if no one catches you speeding, were you really breaking the law? That is the point of the detector I believe. Similar to "If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around, did it make a sound?"
Back to speeds, how many accesses to that stretch of road are there? driveways, cross streets, is there a median. These are factors when determing speed limits.
Recently I heard on the radio up here of a study done on accidents over a 2 or 3 year period, and think it was done in the US. It was in reference to elderly drivers, and that in most cases, they have a hard time pulling into traffic. They cannot accurately judge oncoming car distance, or don't even see the car in the first place. Not sure if the US has the over 80 test. Up here after 80 yrs old, you have to take the driving test every 2 years. In some cases should be every year I think. (on a side note, think that ALL drivers should have to take a re-test every 5-10 years) So if you are driving along at higher speeds, and an eldery person pulls out in front of you... Will you now have enough time to react given that you want to go faster?
Sorry if I went slightly off topic.
J
I live in VA, and I can honestly say that I think the simple reality of not having radar detectors in my state makes me a more alert driver. The combination of modded red mini, long hair, male, 18 = pull me over please officer. I know that and stay alert accordingly. I know every single local speedtrap more or less and am constantly looking 100+ yards in front of and behind me. This allows you to have better awareness of the road around you and is a good idea anyway. Daylight, I use the contrast of the antenna against the sky to spot them. At night you ask? I think if you're a car guy at some point you can tell that its a crown vic in front of you and Grandma probably didn't decide to go for a drive at 2 a.m.
For those that don't think/believe the ban is serious it is. In VA, a decent percentage of cops have radar detector detectors. These provide a general direction but no range, i.e. the guy that is using a radar detector is that way. It is not that precise though. I have ahem... heard that if hypothetically you were in a parking lot with a friend and saw a cop that your friend for some reason wanted to give some grief you could drive around the parking lot plugging in the radar detector and unplugging it as he searches aimlessly for who it is. Also if you get pulled, they are not illegal to posses only to use, so pull the $40.00 wal-mart special out of the cigarette lighter and no ticket for you. Maybe.
P.S.- use radar detectors at your own risk in VA, you can get away with it, but if not the fine is $200 or maybe $400 I can't remember.
P.P.S.- I don't personally use one, I think I am a more alert driver because I don't. I had my license the day I could and have never received a ticket and was only pulled to have a "conversation" once (teenager with the hair thing). No accidents.
-Addison
For those that don't think/believe the ban is serious it is. In VA, a decent percentage of cops have radar detector detectors. These provide a general direction but no range, i.e. the guy that is using a radar detector is that way. It is not that precise though. I have ahem... heard that if hypothetically you were in a parking lot with a friend and saw a cop that your friend for some reason wanted to give some grief you could drive around the parking lot plugging in the radar detector and unplugging it as he searches aimlessly for who it is. Also if you get pulled, they are not illegal to posses only to use, so pull the $40.00 wal-mart special out of the cigarette lighter and no ticket for you. Maybe.
P.S.- use radar detectors at your own risk in VA, you can get away with it, but if not the fine is $200 or maybe $400 I can't remember.
P.P.S.- I don't personally use one, I think I am a more alert driver because I don't. I had my license the day I could and have never received a ticket and was only pulled to have a "conversation" once (teenager with the hair thing). No accidents.
-Addison
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I am outraged by the thought that radar detectors (a simple radio receiver much like a car stereo) could be deemed illegal. [snip]
But the measure would make using one a secondary, non-criminal traffic violation. That means that law enforcement officers could not stop you just because you have a radar detector in your car. If an officer pulls you over for another traffic violation and they discover a radar detector, they can then issue you a ticket. [snip]
But the measure would make using one a secondary, non-criminal traffic violation. That means that law enforcement officers could not stop you just because you have a radar detector in your car. If an officer pulls you over for another traffic violation and they discover a radar detector, they can then issue you a ticket. [snip]
Last edited by belhaven; Dec 18, 2008 at 12:37 PM. Reason: fixed obvious typos. :)
radar detectors don't detect COPS. they detect RADAR. hence the name "radar detector". ambulences have radars. fire trucks have radar. commercial trucks and traffic control have radars.
radar can be used for so many other things than avoid the cops. you can avoid and be cautious of oncoming traffic or any 911 emergency that you can't ssee or here.
i have a cobra radar detector and it;s done all the above for me very nicely. that florida law is so narrowly thought of by the sheriff and lawmaker. they're just butthurt that they can't do their job very well.
radar can be used for so many other things than avoid the cops. you can avoid and be cautious of oncoming traffic or any 911 emergency that you can't ssee or here.
i have a cobra radar detector and it;s done all the above for me very nicely. that florida law is so narrowly thought of by the sheriff and lawmaker. they're just butthurt that they can't do their job very well.
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