Do radar detectors actually work?

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

06/26/2006 04:43:05 PM · #1

I just got pulled over doing 58 in a 35. Motorcycle cop was at an easy U-turn area pulling people over all day it seems. I feel like if i would have had a radar detector, I wouldnt need to spend 200 dollars on a ticket and 4 hours in some course. Does anyone have one that works really well and can recommend?

frisca

Nikon D70

06/26/2006 04:44:46 PM · #2

harrison -- 1. drive slower. 2. yes they do work but as they are illegal where I live, i can't recommend one.

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/26/2006 04:46:00 PM · #3

Originally posted by hsteg:

There again, if you stuck to the speed limit I guess you wouldn't need one ;) I think 35 approaching a u-bend is fast enough already.

pidge

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

06/26/2006 04:47:57 PM · #4

Radar detectors, as has been stated, are illegal in most places. Cops (though probably not motorcycle cops) also often have detection devices for radar detectors. If you get caught with a radar detector, you will be in much more trouble than if you had just been caught speeding.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/26/2006 04:48:34 PM · #5

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:

Originally posted by hsteg:
I just got pulled over doing 58 in a 35. Motorcycle cop was at an easy U-turn area pulling people over all day it seems. I feel like if i would have had a radar detector, I wouldnt need to spend 200 dollars on a ticket and 4 hours in some course. Does anyone have one that works really well and can recommend?

There again, if you stuck to the speed limit I guess you wouldn't need one ;) I think 35 approaching a u-bend is fast enough already.

There was no U bend, the cop was just sitting at a Uturn from the other side of the road where he could pull me over. The worst part is, i was going with the flow of traffic.

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

06/26/2006 04:49:29 PM · #6

they do work - but keep in mind that they go off once a radar beam is detected. By the time they go off and you slow down, chances are the radar has already clocked you.

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/26/2006 04:58:50 PM · #7

Originally posted by hsteg:

There was no U bend, the cop was just sitting at a Uturn from the other side of the road where he could pull me over. The worst part is, i was going with the flow of traffic.

I need to redo my 'speed' reading course lol (missread it sorry). I don't drive anymore but when I did, yes, I was known to drive above the legal limit on occaision, its still against the law and even if everybody else was doing it it doesn't make it right. In fact, sometimes driving slowly can be more dangerous!

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

06/26/2006 04:58:57 PM · #8

Originally posted by hsteg:

The worst part is, i was going with the flow of traffic.

Heh, yep. Happens all the time. They have to choose someone, and today "you're it." If you're going more than 20 mph over the limit, you're just asking for it, no matter what the traffic speed. The real cost isn't the ticket, nor the time you'll need to spend in a traffic course, but the additional cost of insurance. Insurance companies *really* don't like to see tickets for 23mph over, most especially on city streets.
I wasn't intending this to sound like a lecture, but I guess it does. Take it from someone who's been there, where speeds are concerned, there's "legal," "a reasonable facsimile of legal," and "Umm, no." 58 in a 35 falls under the latter. Were I in your shoes, I would seriously try to get it reduced 1 step to a less-than-20-over violation. That may be possible, but depends on the jurisdiction. Hire a lawyer for this one.

Message edited by author 2006-06-26 16:59:12.

aaronb532

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron AF 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

06/26/2006 05:12:49 PM · #9

Originally posted by kirbic:

Insurance companies *really* don't like to see tickets for 23mph over, most especially on city streets.

I know how that goes! I just had two speeding tickets fall off my insurance record and my premiums dropped in half. And those were just the 1-19 over.

As far as the rader detectors go, ShutterPug is correct. They only detect an active beam, not just if the gun is turned on. But, if you get one with a big enough range on it you can see if he is clocking people in front of you before you get there. Just be more carful when your the only car around!

Edit: Spelling

Message edited by author 2006-06-26 17:13:15.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

06/26/2006 05:15:16 PM · #10

Also, by going to court you may actually beat the ticket. If the Cop doesn't show up the ticket is thrown out. At least that's how it works in a lot of places.

So, which lens does this ticket take off the wish list? ;o)

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

06/26/2006 05:17:44 PM · #11

With respect to the detectors, yes, they do work. The problem lies in that many police forces are using lasers, which use a directed beam that you can only detect when the beam actually hits your vehicle, at which point it's really too late.
I've never personally owned a detector of any sort, and probably never will. Not that I'm a religious man when it comes to speed limits (more a moderate skeptic, LOL) but I know what's reasonable and keep it there.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/26/2006 05:27:31 PM · #12

Originally posted by pidge:

Radar detectors are only illegal in the state of Virginia and Washington DC. There are a few restrictions in NY and Illinois for truckers, but that's it. I do agree that if a cop sees your detector it will certainly make him less apt to let you off with a warning...

fotomann_forever

06/26/2006 05:32:26 PM · #13

You could reshape the body of your car so that the radar or laser beam is reflected away from the source, as is used by stealth technology :-)

//people.howstuffworks.com/question69.htm

Baxter

Nikon D500

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

06/26/2006 05:33:55 PM · #14

Yes they work. Lots of different models, and price ranges to choose from. Problems with them are as previously stated that with lower end models that by the time the detector goes off it is to late. Also more and more police departments are changing over from radar to laser. And there are detectors that work on lasers, but lasers use a very narrow beam, and it is unlikely that you would get an alarm before the cop gets a reading of your speed. Best bet is leave a couple of minites early so that you do not have to speed.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/26/2006 05:45:12 PM · #15

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by hsteg:
The worst part is, i was going with the flow of traffic.

Heh, yep. Happens all the time. They have to choose someone, and today "you're it." If you're going more than 20 mph over the limit, you're just asking for it, no matter what the traffic speed. The real cost isn't the ticket, nor the time you'll need to spend in a traffic course, but the additional cost of insurance. Insurance companies *really* don't like to see tickets for 23mph over, most especially on city streets.
I wasn't intending this to sound like a lecture, but I guess it does. Take it from someone who's been there, where speeds are concerned, there's "legal," "a reasonable facsimile of legal," and "Umm, no." 58 in a 35 falls under the latter. Were I in your shoes, I would seriously try to get it reduced 1 step to a less-than-20-over violation. That may be possible, but depends on the jurisdiction. Hire a lawyer for this one.

Insurance doesnt go up if I take that 4 hour defensive driving course and pay a fine.

marbo

Nikon D5000

06/26/2006 05:45:34 PM · #16

Is this you?

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

06/26/2006 05:45:50 PM · #17

Originally posted by kirbic:

The real cost isn't the ticket, nor the time you'll need to spend in a traffic course, but the additional cost of insurance. Insurance companies *really* don't like to see tickets for 23mph over, most especially on city streets.

US insurance companies get copies of speeding tickets?

CalamitysMaster00

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM II

06/26/2006 05:46:06 PM · #18

I used to have a great detector but was stolen when my car was robbed. My input: yes they do work... even if it only gives you moments to slow down, those moments can make a world of difference in a ticket!

The kicker with them is: they have to be placed high up in your car away from obstruction and in my opinion, most have cords that get in your way constantly! Also, they don't ALWAYS work depending on the situation and it does train you to believe your invincible. :(

As for showing up in court - I know that it's true that if you show up and the police are not there, the cases are thrown out. Also, you need to mention that the officer did not show you the radar and also that he needs proof he calibrated his gun that morning before shift. With all that .... your ticket will most likely slide by. :)

As for being illegal.... if your already breaking the law by speeding - you'll break the law for a detector. Just take it down as he is pulling you over.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/26/2006 05:52:59 PM · #19

Originally posted by Azrifel:

Originally posted by kirbic:
The real cost isn't the ticket, nor the time you'll need to spend in a traffic course, but the additional cost of insurance. Insurance companies *really* don't like to see tickets for 23mph over, most especially on city streets.

US insurance companies get copies of speeding tickets?

They have access to your driving record, plus you state under penalty of perjury what your driving record is when you sign the application ... lie about it and your insurance is probably void.