radar detectors

[friesman]

I was thinking about getting details covered as I am getting ready to leave for VentureWest next week. I was wondering if radar detectors are legal in the northwest states? I will be travelling thru MT, ID, NV, CA, OR ,and WA. if they are illegal is it just illegal to run them or is it illegal to even have in your possession?

 

I would also like to confirm that radar detectors are legal in BC and Alberta, I seem to remember that they were but now have the laws changed?

 

Thanks

 

Brian:cool10:

[kantornado]

Hope this helps. I personally think there a waist of money and a safety hazard.:mo money:

BJMO..............................Ron

 

 

1. The usage of radar detectors are prohibited in the Commonwealth of Virginia. They have laws banning the use of radar detectors. Not only are radar detectors illegal to use in Virginia, they are also illegal to have in the vehicle.

2. Radar detectors and radar jammers are illegal in the District of Columbia. The passing of their laws to ban the use of radar detectors was set in 1995.

3. In Illinois, radar detectors are only regulated in commercial vehicles of over 26,001 pounds.

4. On US military bases, they are legal to have but illegal to use.

5. Radar jammers are illegal in the states of Utah, California, Oklahoma, Colorado and Nebraska.

6. Radar detectors are not specifically regulated, but things hanging from windshields are not permitted in the state of Minnesota.

7. For motor vehicles over 18,000 pounds and any other commercial motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds in New York, radar detectors are illegal.

And other states that prohibit the use of radar detectors are the following:

� Alabama

 

� Arizona

� Arkansas

� Colorado

� Delaware

 

� Florida

 

� Georgia

� Idaho

� Indiana

 

� Iowa

� Kansas

 

� Kentucky

� Louisiana

� Maine

� Maryland

 

� Massachusetts

 

� Michigan

� Mississippi

 

� Missouri

� Montana

 

� Nevada

� New Hampshire

 

� New Jersey

� Mew Mexico

 

� North Carolina

 

� North Dakota

� Ohio

� Oklahoma

� Oregon

� Pennsylvania

 

� Rhode Island

 

� South Carolina

 

� South Dakota

 

� Tennessee

 

� Texas

� Vermont

� Washington

� Wisconsin

� Wyoming

The state of Connecticut on the contrary has cancelled its anti-radar detector law in 1998 which make this radar detector now legal in this state.

[friesman]

Thanks for the comprehensive list Ron,

After looking at that list I guess there isnt much point in taking it along. Ive used radar detectors for years and they are legal here. i can list about 7 or 8 times where its saved me a ticket as it gave me just enough warning to get slowed down to the limit when I am in traffic as it picks up the "bounce " off the cars in front..

It doesnt work when youre the only guy on the road, however, as you dont get enough notice when youre the only target for the LEO to focus on, lol.

 

PS. Great pic of your bike and trailer, Ron!

 

 

Brian

[halfwitt]

With all due respect, I think some of the preceding information is incorrect. This website: http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/radar4.html shows that only VA and DC prohibit the use of radar detectors. I suspect the previous list is a result of some local laws within those states that prohibit radar detectors.

 

That said, I think all they do is give a false sense of security. I was with a friend up in the Great State o' Maine a few years ago. He had his radar detector on. Didn't detect the trooper that gave him the ticket. We asked the tropper why and he said that his radar gun is off until he sees someone he thinks is speeding. By the time the radar detector picks up the radar, it's too late - you're busted!

 

I had one in my cage for awhile. I got so many false signals that I didn't know when I needed to pay attention. I'll do without.

 

My 2 cents.

[mbrood]

I got pulled over, in southern California, by a Highway Patrol. I was doing 65, in the slow lane. He said he saw my radar detector on my dash and KNEW that I must be a speeder but I had been JUST within the law and he just wanted to warn me... warn me that cops LOOK for that type of thing. I leaned over and took my dayplanner notebook off the dash...

he thought it very funny. I wasn't so amused. I asked him if they were legal in California and he said yes, but when I see one, I lay back and let them buy themselves a ticket.

 

Strange, since on California highways, the slow lane is basically 65-75, next lane is about 75-80, next one is about 85 and the fast lane varies up to ridiculous. I used to get in the fast lane and stay there... whatever traffic allowed, I was up to it... now I'm a lot older and just not that interested in paying for the "privilege" of speeding THAT much.

 

(Yeah, the price has gone WAY up!)

[Condor]

About 10 years ago I ran all over the west with a radar detector clipped to my visor in the truck. Never even got a 'howdy' from a LEO. I did take a trip back east in 89 and the only place I took it down was in Virginia, and they had a warning posted at the state line. It may have been illegal to even have one in the vehicle, but I guess I missed all the radar check stations... I even had it up and on in DC, and no body even blinked. So, Brian, bring it along. Mine has saved my bacon quite a few times.

[Bummer]

Radar detectors are legal in Indiana.

 

Mine's built in. It also indicates system voltage and ambient temperature. I have it for that as much as radar/lazer detection. I pulled the power to go to Canada and felt nekkid.

 

Highway speeding tickets are just an advanced road use tax. Don't want to pay extra to use that chunk of concrete, don't speed. Personally, I rarely speed when I'm on a trip. It kind of defeats the purpose.

 

Mine saves me when I'm running back and forth to work where familiarity breeds complacency. If it reminds me to pay attention before I get a ticket two times it's paid for itself. I'm pretty sure it's paid for.

 

The display is the only parts that shows. I've never had anyone notice it yet. Of course, I've not been pulled over for speeding yet (knock on a wooden head for saying it). The lazer sensor is just under the passing lamps and is pretty hard to see. The bulky body is inside the fairing.

 

By the way, radar jammers are ALWAYS illegal unless you have a license to generate a signal on that frequency.

Edited July 30, 2008 by Bummer
added jammer info

[MikeM8560]

on California highways, the slow lane is basically 65-75, next lane is about 75-80, next one is about 85 and the fast lane varies up to ridiculous.

Same here in Fl. ill take the backroads anyday.

[VTirelli]

With all due respect, I think some of the preceding information is incorrect. This website: http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/radar4.html shows that only VA and DC prohibit the use of radar detectors. I suspect the previous list is a result of some local laws within those states that prohibit radar detectors.

 

That said, I think all they do is give a false sense of security. I was with a friend up in the Great State o' Maine a few years ago. He had his radar detector on. Didn't detect the trooper that gave him the ticket. We asked the tropper why and he said that his radar gun is off until he sees someone he thinks is speeding. By the time the radar detector picks up the radar, it's too late - you're busted!

 

I had one in my cage for awhile. I got so many false signals that I didn't know when I needed to pay attention. I'll do without.

 

My 2 cents.

 

 

Quite true. Over thepast 25 years, radars are made with a hold button that keeps the signal off until activated. In NY (not sure about other states), we are trained to estimate speeds to within plus or minus 5 mph. So if a vehicle isn't within that estimate, I don't even activate it. The tickets are actually issued on the visual estimate. I've had trials where the radar was actually thrown out but the estimate was upheld.

 

As far as laser 'detectors', I'm just curious how they work since the lazer is only a beam of light, wouldn't it be going off all the time sincelight is coming into the windshield all the time? (I have yet to see one of those work.)

[V7Goose]

This document is 10 years old, but it seems much more accurate than the information from Kantornado on state laws for radar detectors:

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/transportation/radar.htm

 

and this one covers all states and Canada:

http://www.1stradardetectors.com/radar-detector-laws.php

 

Goose

[Gray Ghost]

I LOVE radar dectectors. I was sitting in a state troopers car just north of Austin Texas with him about to write me a ticket when he got a call about another car speeding with a radar dectector. He told me to get out of his car and then he was gone after the guy and I got by without the ticket.

 

So ya'll keep using them, maybe I'll get lucky again.

[bobcat]

I've had the same radar detector on my bike for the last 12 years.....Its saved me at least 25-30 tickets...

Here in Nevada they're legal....but so is prostitution......

[dynodon]

Use the better list, since that one list of states is just wrong. MOST states they are legal.

 

I run a Valentine One. It has as good of detection range within a few % of the rest of the best, and those arrows are worth everything.

 

I don't use it to run excessive speeds though, I usually run about 5-8 over the limit if at all, but I love to know what is going on around me. That is why I also run a CB, they are still one of the best road devices for conditions/traffic, in addition to police.

 

My detector is most valuable in heavy traffic. If I know a radar trap is over the hill, I can back off so the car WITHOUT the detector won't be a danger when they crest the hill and see the cop, and inevitably slow down way below the speed limit, even if they are at or below the limit to begin with. Stupid drivers that don't know what the limit is or what the rules are, are dangerous, so the detector keeps me safer.

 

I have run a detector for decades, and never had a cop come after me because I had one. I drive so I don't call attention to myself, that is a key factor. If you weave, stay in the left lane, drive a sporty red car, or just be a jerk, THAT is what will call attention to you, not the detector.

 

I do agree though, that if stopped, and you have a detector in sight, chances are you won't get a warning, but if you are warned in advance, and drive with some skill, you shouldn't have to talk to mr/mrs Police person!

 

I find that driving within 5 or so of the limit lets me arrive within a few minutes of the fastest road hogs, and I arrive fresher and more alert, with less stress. Oh, and you get better MPG>

[buddy]

I been working on Police cars for some time now. And I get a kick when I'm out test driving one. People see me and they hit their brakes and the front end dips down bad like that will save their bacon. Nope only makes it worse with these police officers around here, most of the time they will not give a ticket 10 over . But seeing a car or truck dip in the front end tells the police yep I'm speeding and I'm guilty. So fair warning don't hit your brakes when you see the police just keep going and if he wants to give you a ticket he will let you know..

 

Radars are useless around here anyway, the police do not engage the unit untill you are in their line of site..then its too late

 

My motorcycle came with a radar problem solver anyway never got a ticket yet when using it... they call it a cruise control....

 

 

Radar's are legal to buy in Oklahoma but illegal to use.

 

Buddy

[V7Goose]

There have been a lot of either wrong or misleading comments here about the effectiveness of radar detectors. I have used a very low-cost detector quite a bit and found even that mediocre unit quite effective.

 

It is true that most modern radar units are the "instant-on" type that can basically nail you before your detector let's you slow down. Because of this, if you are the only car on a lonely stretch of road, you are probably gonna get nailed if there is a cop out there looking for a target. But the fact is, you are rarely the only vehicle around, ESPECIALLY if you are running the superslab. In normal practice, the instant-on unit is used often enough to check the speed of passing vehicles that you regularly can pick up those short pulses from other vehicles long before you are the target yourself. Once you are warned there is radar in the area, you can decide yourself what to do instead of suddenly jamming on the brakes out of involuntary reaction when you spot the squad car.

 

I have also found that it is still very common for a cop to just park themselves along the highway and leave the radar on all the time, getting a read on every vehicle passing. For all I know, maybe this is just a ploy to generally slow down the entire traffic flow just because they are there. Doesn't make any difference why; any detector is going to alert you to their presence long before you see them.

 

I am not advocating either for or against using detectors, just want people to have real facts to make up their own minds. Just like knowing which states allow or not - do your own research, as many of the statements here are just wrong. For example, radar detectors ARE legal to use in Oklahoma. Ride safe,

Goose

[MAINEAC]

http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/radarmap.gif

[KiteSquid]

When I had my Corvette I had a quality remote mount RADAR detector.

 

I also had two high quality scanners with HIGH quality antennas.

 

I would listen to the dispatchers on one radio and and listen to the mobile extender frequencies on the other.

 

If the mobile extender radio de-squelched, I would slow down, however I don't know if this tactic still works with the newer trunked and spread spectrum and cellular based systems that some jurisdictions are now using as I have not plugged in my scanners in years.

 

A great starting point is to READ the Ten Tips for Fearless Flying from Car and Driver Magazine January 1991 There was a follow up article to this one, but I cannot find it on the net.

 

Get rid of loud pipes if you have them. Factory exhaust IMHO is more LEO friendly.

 

 

BTW my record ticket-less solo run was from King George VA to Key West FL, 1,172 miles in just under 13.5 hours including all stops. That is an AVERAGE speed of 87 MPH. This was back when the federal speed limit was 55 MPH......but I no longer feel the need for that much speed.

 

 

My favorite Mobile Extender storeys is when I was in a pack of cars cruising at about 25 over the limit, and my scanner de-squelched. I moved over to the slow lane and down to 5 over the limit. I was driving a Corvette and the last driver in the line was in Chevrolet's other 'vette..... A Chevette. He proceeded to give me the one finger salute as he passed.

 

When I popped over the next hill my RADAR detector maxxed out as there was a LEO out of his car using his RADAR gun. Up the road were about ten more LEO's writing tickets to speeders. As I passed the Chevette, I honked and waived as I went on my merry way, with no point on my license and the lowest insurance rates I could find.

Edited July 31, 2008 by KiteSquid

[KiteSquid]

As far as laser 'detectors', I'm just curious how they work since the lazer is only a beam of light, wouldn't it be going off all the time sincelight is coming into the windshield all the time? (I have yet to see one of those work.)

 

Laser is coherent light at a specific frequency. Quite easily detectable.