Virginia: The Old Dominion

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Virginia and Mississippi- the only 2 states with radar detector bans (www.rdforum.org)

submitted 1 year ago by Bakachu to c/virginia

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WHY??? Had a radar detector in other states I've lived in and think this made me an overall more mindful driver about speeding. There's also evidence that the ban of these devices have no impact on speeding in general. More arguments in the link... What's everyone's thoughts on this? Are Virginia and Mississippi the two states that got it right?

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[–] dan1101 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It's quite ridiculous. I don't care about radar detectors but the police can emit concentrated radio waves or lasers at our vehicles, but we aren't allowed to use devices that detect them? I'm surprised this hasn't been defeated in court, maybe no one cares enough. A radar detector in practice doesn't seem very different from Waze spotting speed traps or people talking about them online, it's just using technology to be informed.

[–] Bakachu 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Agree with that point as well. Radar detectors are passive systems and radio waves propagate broadly. With Waze I have heard that some LEOs do false reporting on that app...but haven't seen anything concrete.

I think that the main point is that most drivers will slow down if given the information that speed detection is being enforced. And the information is already available so what is the point of the ban to begin with.

[–] overzeetop 2 points 1 year ago

Iirc, there is a legal workaround but no manufacturer has exploited it. The reason it’s held up in court is because its sole purpose is to avoid law detection, but a device which has more than that as it’s only function (iirc an FM radio was an example, but today a dashcam would probably be a better dual use) would be legal.

I don’t have any reference or cite for this…it’s been decades since I was involved with the detector cat and mouse game.