Why are they illegal in VA an DC? Whats the reasoning behind this?

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Belive they are illegal here in CA too.
Premises for why it may be illegal:

1. The CHP loses revenue when they are unable to pull your ass over for speeding.

2. If you could tell when they were gunning you or someone in the vicinity, you'd slow down right? Well why would you need to slow down if you weren't speeding in the first place? The thing allows u to speed when no ones around and not get caught when someone is... lol like they expect us to obey 65mph out here.. haha

There's prolly more valid reasons, but I think this is my 2 cents for now....

 

perfectly LEGAL in cali. i have one, cops have seen me with it, no problems. no where in the ca dmv code book does it state that it's illegal. anyhow, if you speed and get caught, it's best not to let the cop see it or else he will give you no breaks.

 

I still don't understand how they can be illegal anywhere. Every American has a right to know when the government is monitoring them electronically. Wiretaps require a judge's approval but any cop can pull out a radar/laser gun on any corner and pick off unsuspecting motorists. Those states with detector bans are just adding a road tax to those motorists that are unlucky or can't afford a detector that doesn't emit that known frequency that cheap detectors do making it easy for cops to find them. It's sad. CT was like that but luckily it's a liberal state and the law was overturned. Photo radar will never come for them same reason. I guess we're the lucky ones.

[This message has been edited by Neech (edited 04-30-2001).]

 

Come on Neech, you can't compare wiretapping to traffic radar. The Constitution talks about privacy indirectly but how do you equate speeding on the freeway to speed radar to Government electronic monitoring?

The fact is your driving rights are a priviledge and it is not guaranteed by the Constitution. Therefore the States have jurisdiction. Some states like VA call it a safety issue and are able to enforce it. Radar detectors are still illegal in a lot of states for big trucks. Only in DC and VA for passenger cars. It can be overturned but it's going to take a lot of work as it did in CT.

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* 2001 Acura CL Type S * Blk/Blk * Navigator * Spoiler * Moonroof Visor * V1 *
* Since 3/31/2000 *
* Road Warrior *

 

To add to what kensteele said... When you are driving on the road, is your car on property owned by you? You are on a public road driving your car which is a priviledge, not a right. Therefore, traffic radar is perfectly within reason for the police to use. They are enforcing speed limits on public roads. They are not invading your privacy.

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2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S - San Marino Red / Parchment - #26519
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If the government can use a device that is so prone to errors such as a traffic radar gun then we, the motorists, should have the right to know when it's in use. We're not talking about air traffic control systems, we're talking about point and shoot and hope the cop picks the right car. Hope he didn't get a bogus reflection off that big rig while performing rolling radar and so on.

And who knows what the Constitution would have said if they did have the automobile then. If they knew what a revenue maker it's become and what a standard of life we've all become dependent on. Yes, I think they might have included some sort of protection for citizens. They had no idea in 1776. Give me a break.


[This message has been edited by Neech (edited 05-01-2001).]

 

That's what amendments are for. However, something tells me we won't see an amendment for something so specific.

But, I do agree that we should have the right to possess and use a radar detector. It amazes me that they can make laws like in DC and VA banning the use of radar detectors.

While I understand driving is a priviledge (as stated in my last message), the radar detector is in my car (my property) and is not affecting anyone else on the road. Of course, all this stuff can be argued to death. Someone decides something is illegal and they make a law. Where do you draw the line? It's all subjective.

Funny, I say all this and I don't even own a radar detector.

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2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S - San Marino Red / Parchment - #26519
non-nav - spoiler - wheel locks - splash guards - PIAA 19169s - Zaino baby! - Pics of my car

[This message has been edited by TakeFlight (edited 05-01-2001).]

 

They are LEGAL in Cali. I've checked with a CHP last time they got me speeding (a week ago).



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Neech, were you asleep during class?

The Constitution and its Amendments work in conjunction with Federal and State law to cover everything in your life (and mine) until we are dead (as long as we live in America). The Constitution had better work for cars! Even if they come up with a fancy rocket ship transport materializer, the Constitution is great enough to cover that, too. That's because that document can be interpreted; that's the key. Our forefathers had enough insight into Freedom and Liberty that they could create a document that would

1)regulate interstate commerce and revenue whether it was high speed boats, gasoline, internet email, wire transfer of funds, etc.
2)protect your freedom of speech whether it's on cable tv, handbills on a university campus, flag burning, or admitting to a traffic violation.
3)protect your privacy whether it's from consumer credit reports, sophisticated government wiretapping, your employer discussing your sexual orientation, or the police searching your vehicle.

NONE of these things were around in 1776, but the almight Constitution still applies. Not all of this is mentioned directly in the Constitution but the applicable law comes from it (i.e. Uniform Commercial Code). Hell, I feel like I'm teaching a history class.

In any case, as for the radar situation, that's easy: radar has received judicial notice in all 50 states. For the layperson, that means forget about challenging [in court] the way the technology works. Your comments about errors and reflections and point and shoot (as it relates to the application of the technology) have not basis in court whatsoever.

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* 2001 Acura CL Type S * Blk/Blk * Navigator * Spoiler * Moonroof Visor * V1 *
* Since 3/31/2000 *
* Road Warrior *

 

Beats the hell out of me. But it sux!! so many friggen speeding tickets cause of this. And now there moving more towards aireal vascar

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CL-S
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gtech 0-60 6.03 w/ 438 pound load. preheader.

 

You might find answers in #6 and #7: http://www.hwysafety.org/safety_fact...eed_lawenf.htm

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* 2001 Acura CL Type S * Blk/Blk * Navigator * Spoiler * Moonroof Visor * V1 *
* Since 3/31/2000 *
* Road Warrior *

 

I don't know if any of you have read the ads for the valentine 1 in mags or on the net -- but there is a disclaimer that SPECIFICALLY states that it's not to be used to pick up law enforcement radar waves -- rather, it's almost like they market this thing to be a toy -- picking up ham or radio waves. It's very interesting how they word it, worth a look on their website.

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2002 TL-S

 

I think those 'jammers' are illegal, right? But for communication issues. maybe they interfere with aircraft radar.
Definatly one for the Supreme Court. Are they legal in Europe?

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