Man, I just had a close one. I was going around 80~85 on the freeway, it's late, not much traffic to speak of. Everything is perfectly fine, then right after I flip over an overpass, I see a cop sitting infront of a tree about 100 yards or so away. I went for the break, and before I press the break, the V1 lights up to a FULL alert. It took no more than 3 seconds for me to fly pass the cop, that's how close I was to him. By the time I pass him, I've slowed down to 60. The whole time I'm thinking, crap, here comes the ticket... but a few seconds later, still no sign of him! Then I exited my exit with my heart still pounding, bloods rushing, and thanking god that I didn't get a ticket.

Now the question, we all know that the V1 can pick up the radar from as far away as 2 miles, but what's the range for the cops??? How close do we have to be for the cop's radar to clock us? And how long would it take for the cop's radar to register? Anyone know?

I'm pretty sure that when the radar hit me, I was going around 80, then slowed down (very quickly) to 60. If there's a lag for the radar gun to read the speed, I'd like to know about it

 

i'm pretty sure he nailed you with the radar gun. since he's using radar, he'll be able to notice that you're slowing down. i thnk that if the cop is not out to nail everybody in sight, he'll let you pass knowing that you slowed down. some cops sit out in plain view knowing that most motorists will slow down at the sight of a cop car. i think that some cops also tolerate a minor speeding.

i know i didn't answer your question, but these are some possible reasons why you didn't get pulled over.

 

I work with a bunch of cops and their views differ greatly. Some cops are just out there to slow you down and that is all. There is one guy who was in narcotics and is now doing patrols again and he will give people going 80 just warnings. Because he doesn't like to give people tickets if they are just going to work, etc he just wants them to slow down a little bit. But he will give tickets to people who are doing 65 weaving in and out of traffic and acting like an ass, driving fast in the rain, driving fast when schools are letting out and there are buses and kids around.

Where as you have the other guys who are trying to be trooper of the year and will write tickets all day long for any reason. And those are the guys who get seriously pissed off if you are caught flashing your lights at oncoming traffic to warn people.


The cop that shot you was probably more like the first cop. As long as you give them some respect and slow down in their presence they don't mind. And just because you have a radar detector doesn't mean you will get a ticket everytime you get pulled over either. Most cops know that they will write a warning or a real ticket within the first 30 seconds of talking to you. So don't act like an asshole and give them some respect and you will probably just get a warning.

 

Yep, I sure believe that to be true...


There are cops that get sent out to write tickets (1); cops that like writing tickets (2); and some guys who see stuff that they really don't like *or* know of a dangerous area or practice (optional stop for warning or ticket [#3]).

In case #1 or #2 -- it's generally, "It’s your day for a ticket." Just take it and forget about it -- they are handing that sucker out!

It's the open-option case #3, that attitude will have a great effect on. If someone acts like a dick and "doesn't get it", they should be ready for a serious spanking!

 

Depending on the type of radar, sometimes there is a second or two delay in reading the speed. Also, if the car's speed is changing rapidly(ie fast braking), the radar can't decide what speed to show on the display and this will cause a couple of seconds delay. Or the cop may be writing up an accident report and will only bother with a really fast one!

BUT, most police officers think of radar detectors as cheating, but I won't drive without one.

 

According to mf gf's father, a retired Ohio State Trooper (these guys can be ruthless on speeders!), 1000ft is supposed to be the max CERTIFIED range of the radar units they (and a good portion of other police) use. However, they prefer to have you inside 600ft to be sure who they are clocking.

 

I find strange the mighty V1 didn't warn you sooner. Hmm...

 

The cop was probably using "instant on" radar...

I love this quote out of the V1 manual --

"Valentine One's great sensitivity -- and your attention to the nuances of its warnings -- gives you at least a sporting chance."

 

I'm surprised you didn't get a ticket too. The fact that he was using 'instant on' (radar detectors are no defense for that) means that he was trying to catch somebody speeding.

If he was just trying to slow people down he wouldn't have his gun on at all or would just leave it on competely.

An old Car & Driver article said that in instant on mode, the radar gun only takes 1/10 sec to calculate your speed. I'm sure there are things that can happen that make it take longer, but I'm fairly sure he knew how fast you were going.

He must have just poured a hot cup of coffee from his thermos and didn't feel like chasing you down.

Or perhaps, he knew he was no match for a CL (with a new engine no doubt)!

Where was this??? So we can be on the lookout for this trap.

 

Read this months radar detector test in "Car and Driver" ; This artical explains in pretty good detail how radar works.

 

The only defense against instant on is if you catch the cop clocking someone in front of you. For that reason, if you're the only one on the road late at night, your gambling if you decide to do some serious speeding.

Cop most likely figured he's giving you a break since you slowed down. I also agree with another posters comments on not being an a$$ when you're pulled over. I had the following happen to me two summers ago driving down from Milwaukee in my wife's previous car, a Pathfinder, doing about 75 in a 65. In case you may not be aware, Wisconsin troopers LOOOVE pulling over Illinois drivers.

Wife is in the passenger seat and kids are sleeping in the back seat. Radar detector is quiet and I'm driving with traffic. I always keep an eye out and I hadn't seen a cop. I pull into the left lane, pass a group of cars and settle in the middle lane. Sure enough, an unmarked trooper turns on the lights behind me. Oh $h!t, he must of been pacing me.

Following conversation ensues:
Trooper: License please.
Trooper: Any reason why you can't do 65?
Me: No excuses, it's just been a long day, I'm tired and I'm trying to get home. I'm sorry.
Trooper: Is this your car?
Me: Yes sir.
Trooper (after looking at my license): If I let you go, is there any reason why I can't trust you to do the limit the rest of the way home?
Me: NO SIR!
Trooper: Because if I cited you it would be $150
Me: I understand sir
Trooper: Go home and be careful.
Me: Thank you sir!

Set it on cruise control the rest of the way out of Wisconsin.

 

I noticed also that on local 3-lanes(+2) HW, Rt-3 in Nashua... the posted speed is a mere 55. However, virtually everyone including those extra long 18 wheelers are doing 70+.

So, cops are hunting for those 95+ MPH in a 55 zone... they do not care about 75 or less....

I do not know why they keep the posted limit to 55. It should be 75MPH! That is just my opinion.

 

Same thing on parts of I95 from FL, to NY. Some spots it goes from 70-65 then 1000ft later it's 60, then 55 for a few miles, everyone does 70, then back to 65. It's just stupid! The work zones are a joke. Posted limt is 50-55, signs say slow down, let the workers live, speeding fines doubled, yet at night everyone does 70+.

 

This reminded me of the time I left Union Grove Dragaway. I was in my 1970 TA and a friend was in his 1974 vett. We made it to rt 22 exit in 24 minutes. Lucky that night. I used to say Go Hawks now it's Go Stars.

 

Since you mentioned Wisconsin, I have a thing or two to say about that "state". I'll keep it brief. Those guys run the only two freeways they have in the state (90/94) like a military camp. I have three tickets on record with them; one radar, one vascar, and one airplane. They don't like us from Minnesota or Illinois, just passing thru their state. When I was stopped, I had to pay by Visa. And it seems like every other car is unmarked. It's a good thing they can't use rolling radar, so if a trooper is moving while clocking you, I'd check the law or the department policy and find out why.

 

Yo,

You gotta remember that that stretch of road is a MAJOR drug running route from South to the North, so not only will you have serious dickheads, you'll have undercovers, FBI, DEA and general bastards who want to make it on America's Most Wanted looking for that escaped bail jumper. Not to mention Cops on patrol or worlds stupidest criminals.

Speeding is highly discouraged along that road. Radar detector or not, nice demeanor doesn't matter, they know what they are doing before you get to them.

 

Heehee, yeah, maybe he's afraid of my new engine Oh yeah, I got a new tranny too. It was making an odd noise when you release the gas at around 25mph and the dealer can't figure out what's wrong, but they think it's the tranny, so they ordered a new one and put it in. Everything is all good now

For all you austin people, i'm sure many of you know this already. There's a speed trap on mopac. If you enter mopac from Far West exit, there's a bunch of bushes on the median. Cops usually sit at the south end of it and use instant on. It's been more active these few days, look out for them. Drive safe.