The Need for Speed: All About Radar Detectors

Speeding is one of the major causes of traffic fatalities in the US. In fact, 10,111 people died due to speeding in 2016 alone.

Despite this, many drivers still break the speed limit. Some even resort to using radar detectors to avoid getting caught if an officer with a police speed gun is nearby. Multiple speeding tickets are not only costly but also affect insurance premiums while radar detectors cost less than $100, after all.

The workaround is losing its edge, however. Radar detectors are no longer as effective as they once were.

What Are Radar Detectors?

Radar detectors are devices that can be installed in cars to detect law enforcement officers with radar speed guns. Newer models come with mobile phone applications for ease of use. The device scans the Doppler radar bands used by speed guns and alerts the user once it detects one in the area. This allows drivers to slow down and keep within the speed limit before an officer catches them.

Take note that radar detectors are significantly different from radar jammers. While a radar detector is a passive device that does not affect speed guns, a radar jammer transmits radio waves to overload a speed gun and confuse its readings.

A State-to-State Basis

Radar detectors are legal in most states, with a couple of exceptions, because its alerts prompt drivers to drive slowly and safely. This is also why radar jammers are strictly illegal across the US — rather than slowing down, it encourages drivers to ignore speed limits and the police.

Virginia and Washington, D.C. are the two places that do not allow the use of radar detectors. Drivers caught using these devices receive serious fines and risk having their detectors confiscated. Moreover, simply possessing a radar detector in Washington, D.C. merits a ticket, same with non-speeding cars having working detectors in Virginia.

On the other hand, other states are more forgiving of the use of the device. Minnesota allows drivers to use radar detectors, as long as it isn’t mounted on the inside of the windshield. California likewise allows its private drivers to have and use one. Commercial vehicles, such as taxis, buses, delivery trucks, and ambulances, will be fined if found using radar detectors, though. New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, meanwhile, only permit private vehicles to install detectors.

Law Enforcers and LIDAR guns

Police and other law enforcers are making the switch to Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) speed guns to counter drivers and vehicles with radar detectors.

LIDAR police speed guns emit laser signals rather than radio waves. It measures the amount of time it takes infrared laser light to reflect off a speeding vehicle. Laser speed guns offer higher accuracy and are virtually invisible to detectors, thanks to its focused infrared beam. It targets a single vehicle and hits a specific point, usually the license plate, and works at greater distances than radar guns. Illegal radar jammers don’t work on LIDAR guns, as well.

Radar Sports, LLC carries a wide selection of professional and high-accurate LIDAR guns for the police and the military, including speed guns from DragonEyeContact us for more information or any inquiries about our police speed guns and other products.

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