First ticket

[Giller]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I don't think having a radar detector is tantamount to speeding.
This seems to be a popular misconception that I've heard a million times whenever someone sees my Valentine One. "speed demon eh?".
Having a radar detector simply let's you know when you are being monitored.

I didn't say having a radar detector means you are more likely to speed.

And having a radar detector simply to know when you are being monitored....I have to ask...why does it matter? What value is there in knowing someone is trying to utilize a radar gun on you, other than to know you need to slow down? Am I missing something on that point?

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Giller

What value is there in knowing someone is trying to utilize a radar gun on you, other than to know you need to slow down? Am I missing something on that point?

Because it's very rare that anyone at any time is observing the speed limit on any busy road. Even if you are going 5 mph over the limit the police have every right to cite you. It's entirely up to them, and with a radar dectector you know when this goes from hypothetical to actually happening right now.

If the police wanted you to observe the speed limit they would simply set up cameras like they do in Europe. There's no pleading with the cop for a warning ticket because there's no leaving up to the patrolman in the first place. You speed, you get points. Enough points you're suspended. Result: people STFD.

This system that we have here makes it arbitrary, and any regime where enforcement is arbitrary is never as effective if the end goal is reduce vehicular accidents and deaths. Now if the end goal is to raise revenue while complicitly allowing traffic to flow at a rate above what the letter of the law allows, because that's what makes the voter happy, then we end up with this less effective, and some might say cynical, sytem of catch me if you can. As you can see by any major highway everyone ignores 55 or 65, more of a suggestion while carnage ensues. Frankly the police imho should be stopping people for cars that are not properly maintained, running plates of drivers to see if their on suspension. as these are often the cars transporting drugs, weapons, etc. and usually by people with warrants. Obedience to speed limits would be much better served by toll both timing, cameras or some other technology that runs 24/7.

[gmboxster]

In Virginia radar detectors are illegal and if you have one in your car you WILL get ticketed even if you weren't speeding. Just having the detector is a major fine all by itself.