Do you dislike radar detectors users?

[Uncle B]

I don't want to turn this into a discussion about the use of radar detectors in general because I know you guys have different opinions about whether they work or not etc.

My question is this: If you pull a car over for something other than speeding, do you tend to be less leniant (or more harsh) if the driver has a radar detector attached to the windshield?

This is pertaining to states in which radar detectors are legal to use.

Thanks!

[Legoate]

Automatic citation if I see you've been using a radar detector and I pull you over for a moving violation. You get no leniency because the only reason you would have a radar detector in the first place would be to allow you to break the law with a lower risk of getting caught.

And from someone who shoots radar daily- They only work to let you know you are about to get a ticket. The only time a cop leaves his radar on in constant mode is when he is doing something else, not paying attention, and just wants people with radar detectors to slow down.

[kels]

+1 on the above post.

If you have the radar detector, you get the ticket.
You might have got a warning, but not now.
Most of us figure that since you have the detector,
that you have already got out of a few tickets.

Besides, most people with detectors have two pages
of driving history or more............

[chaser]

because the only reason you would have a radar detector in the first place would be to allow you to break the law with a lower risk of getting caught.

I have to disagree because most people have them due to the plain looking knob on the end of the cigarette lighter and the cord connected to the other end of the expensive looking citation detector is alot more attractive than some dumb plain knob.

[Uncle B]

Thanks for your replies. They confirm what I suspected.

And from someone who shoots radar daily- They only work to let you know you are about to get a ticket. The only time a cop leaves his radar on in constant mode is when he is doing something else, not paying attention, and just wants people with radar detectors to slow down.

From my experience, what you wrote is true if the police officer is using laser. The moment I see "laser" displayed on my detector is the moment you get a readout of my speed.

However, around here (Metro Detroit) most police cars emit a signal that is detected by my detector when they are just driving down the road. I don't know if they drive around with their radars on all the time or what, but I usually know that there is a police car somewhere nearby before I can see it.

I also have a follow up question. Do you guys generally believe that radar detectors should be illegal?

[sgtbear111]

A radar detector is a symbol of intent to violate traffic laws. It is a single purpose device, having no other lawful purpose.

[LA5150]

Do you guys generally believe that radar detectors should be illegal?

Do you think it should be illegal to stand outside and watch for the cops while your friend breaks into a house? (It is illegal, by the way).

It's the same concept, in my opinion, so yes.

[k9dan]

I always write a citation if I see the detector. Then I tell them they might want to take it back because it does not seem to be working.
When I'm on patrol and someone in front of me has one, I turn my radar on and off all through town making it light up and make little noises.

[kels]

I also have a follow up question. Do you guys generally believe that radar detectors should be illegal?

Naw, it makes it easier to figure out who really need the tickets:D

[TPDHellhound]

I don't care wither way... all they do is give the driver a false sense of security. I do get a kick out of giving a ticket to a guy with a radar detector, though.:D

[bhanson]

A radar detector equals a ticket for the cause of the stop plus any other violations I uncover. No warnings, ever.

If you play the game you pay the penalty when caught. :mad:

[mcsap]

I think detectors are hilarious , in PA , municipal police are NOT allowed to use radar. We use other devices / techniques which are not detectable so plug it in and go for it when travelling through PA.

In a CMV , detectors are a BIG no-no. You get a ticket on the spot for having it and I get to seize it as evidence.

[Mike Romeo]

Radar detetors are illegal in Virginia - and that's a primary reason to traffic stop someone if one is observed in a vehicle. Otherwise, it's another summons in addition to whatever the reason was for the traffic stop.

[Valor55]

Thanks for your replies. They confirm what I suspected.

From my experience, what you wrote is true if the police officer is using laser. The moment I see "laser" displayed on my detector is the moment you get a readout of my speed.

However, around here (Metro Detroit) most police cars emit a signal that is detected by my detector when they are just driving down the road. I don't know if they drive around with their radars on all the time or what, but I usually know that there is a police car somewhere nearby before I can see it.

I also have a follow up question. Do you guys generally believe that radar detectors should be illegal?

RADAR has two general modes of operation, stationary and moving. In moving RADAR you turn the set on and let it run as you are driving around. Depending the make and model you can get traffic moving in the opposite direction from you, and in the same direction the traffic in front of you and traffic behind you. The RADAR is always on during this. This is what you are detecting with your RADAR detector.

In stationary operation the RADAR operator sits in a spot and shoots the traffic that is moving past them. In this mode operators are trained to use the HOLD button. HOLD prevents any RADAR transmission while keeping the unit powered up and ready. When the operator observes a violator he releases the HOLD and at nearly the speed of light begins getting a speed reading for the tracking history. A RADAR detector is only going to tell you that you are getting a ticket and slamming on the breaks only confirms what the operator is observing on the RADAR counting unit.

I should note that operators who are skilled and not lazy will use the HOLD feature during moving mode operations as well, waiting to observe a violation before releasing.

Right now the only mode I'm aware of for LIDAR is stationary. It works similarly to RADAR on HOLD in that nothing is emitted until the operator picks a target. There is nothing for a LIDAR detector to detect until the operator beams the target at which point it is too late to avoid the stop.

RADAR detectors are illegal in VA, DC and maybe one or two other states. RADAR is successfully used constantly in all the other states against violators using RADAR detectors. It's a worthless gadget that might save you from a couple tickets but when you are finally nabbed the lack of any breaks will probably quickly catch up to any possible savings. The detector will also provide a false sense of security that will definitely catch up eventually.

[Legoate]

When I'm on patrol and someone in front of me has one, I turn my radar on and off all through town making it light up and make little noises.

Lol...I thought I was the only one who did that. I've even pulled out my handheld, plugged it in, and turned it on for the sole purpose of annoying the guy with the radar detector in front of me.