# "Checked by Radar" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 5, 2019, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checked-by-radar/843008 "2019-11-05T02:11:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checked-by-radar/843008/61 "2019-11-10T18:09:10Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > [**Fighting a Radar Ticket**](https://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2016/11/how-to-fight-a-speeding-ticket-based-on-radar-or-laser-evidence.html) > > I would like to remind you that, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If, like me, you believe that most posted speed limits are bullshit and want to consistently travel faster, getting a quality radar detector can save your hide on a consistent basis. > > Better yet, get an anti-radar detector. Mine can disrupt radar long enough for me to slow down but not so long that the police can detect that their radar is being interfered with. That is actually an FCC violation and a federal offense, so you don’t want an actual scrambler. Are those things legal? Most countries in Europe bust you you just for possession. By “most countries” I mean that I don’t know one that doesn’t. And what about laser equipment? No warning there. ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checked-by-radar/843008/62 "2019-11-10T18:20:38Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > \*I mean, it’s cool to have the option to go 85 for long stretches from Texas to San Diego, but damn does the mpg drop like crazy on my car going that speed. For speed limits anywhere above 70, I’m unlikely to even want to go the limit, much less appreciably beyond the limit. Experience from Germany, the only country in Europe that has some Autobahn sections with no speed limit (but the majority restricted is restricted to 120 or 130 kph, 75/81 mph).I find 140 kph / 87 mph is the sweet spot on a relatively clear road for going somewhere fast without using too much fuel and without needing intense concentration. Doing 100 mph is nice for the journey times, but uses more fuel, and requires extra concentration when approaching a slower vehicle. More than 100 mph? Only if the road is clear, things happen fast. I you want to save fuel, drop back to 70 mph, which is the UK limit - and strictly enforced on many motorways. The result tends to be one lane of trucks at 60 mph and two lines of 70 mph, so you can’t overtake. (More than three lanes is very rate in the UK.) ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checked-by-radar/843008/63 "2019-11-10T20:06:35Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > In Pennsylvania we have signs that make me wonder. [“DRUNK DRIVING” with the red slash through it](https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gannett-cdn.com%2F-mm-%2F9065941e142eb769bb76794c742e08d1e14ee558%2Fr%3D300%2Fhttp%2Fwww.gannett-cdn.com%2F-mm-%2F9065941e142eb769bb76794c742e08d1e14ee558%2Fr%3D300%2Fhttp%2Fwww.gannett-cdn.com%2F-mm-%2Fd08d45643816340bafc1a1e0548739bac26e815a%2Fc%3D542-30-2294-1782%2Flocal%2F-%2Fmedia%2F2016%2F03%2F09%2FDetroitFreePress%2FDetroitFreePress%2F635931080568239632-sign-040707-teasteerbrook8-HR.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.freep.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fmichigan%2F2016%2F04%2F21%2Fcourt-no-dui-driveway%2F83326170%2F&tbnid=avl8YuWMPSXPMM&vet=12ahUKEwi10LPXy9PlAhUBEd8KHdQCDB8QMygAegUIARDPAQ..i&docid=q1oB_kjDaVCKNM&w=300&h=300&q=no%20dui%20sign&safe=off&client=firefox-b-1-d&ved=2ahUKEwi10LPXy9PlAhUBEd8KHdQCDB8QMygAegUIARDPAQ) and under that “YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT”. > > To me it sounds like a challenge, and, honestly, most people _can_ afford their first DUI. Been driving for nearly 30 years (and boy am I tired… ; ) ) and have _NEVER_ had a DUI, and I never will, just not worth the risk. On the rare occasion I do have a drink, it’s at home, and so late in the evening that I _KNOW_ i’m not going to be going out anyway, I have _simulated_ OUI in my racing games (Gran Turismo/Forza series) and have scientifically determined that I get impaired at around 1.5 16 oz beers, i’m clearly unable to hold my liquor. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checked-by-radar/843008/64 "2019-11-10T22:54:45Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > Increased enforcement of speed limits does increase compliance, but it doesn’t last when enforcement is lowered, and its localized to where the enforcement is taking place. You can look at the paper [Speed Enforcement and Speed Choice](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0001457582900380) as a starting point if you want to know more. There’s other research out there as well. We had a standard-speed road here (50mph, and everyone goes at about that speed). They added some road-works speed limits (30mph), and everyone slowed down to that speed. For the first few weeks. Then after a while, everyone noticed that there weren’t actually any road works, and returned to 50mph. The police did nothing about it, because enforcing road-works signs where there are no road-works is not their highest priority. Then, after a while, everyone noticed that they were going 50mph in a 30mph zone, breaking the law anyway, going 20mph over the speed limit anyway, not getting ticketed anyway… and the speed crept up to 60~65 mph. When they actually started road works a year later, the road workers were scared s–less by the cars going past at 60~65 mph, and the local papers were putting up warnings that road-works had started and speed limits would be enforced. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checked-by-radar/843008/65 "2019-11-10T23:19:11Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > Are those things legal? Most countries in Europe bust you you just for possession. By “most countries” I mean that I don’t know one that doesn’t. Heck, any detectors are illegal in Virginia and DC (you’ll see the road sign advising of that shortly behind (or right below/beside) the “Welcome to Virginia” one after you cross the Potomac). ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checked-by-radar/843008/66 "2019-11-11T05:32:31Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > Are those things legal? Most countries in Europe bust you you just for possession. By “most countries” I mean that I don’t know one that doesn’t. If you mean radar detectors, they are legal for private passenger vehicles in all states except Virginia and the District of Columbia. Under FCC rule they should be legal there too as they are nothing more than a radio receiver, but nobody wants to be a test case. They are illegal in commercial vehicles via federal law. As far as the “anti-radar detector” **Jasmine** spoke of, they weren’t specific as to what they meant. Generally it is illegal to have an active, broadcasting radar jammer. There is a company named Rocky Mountain Radar that sells a passive radar jammer. Every single test over the last 20 years has shown that none of RMR devices have any effect on police radar whatsoever at any speed or distance. You would get the same effect driving with a brick on your dash or visor. RMR continues to sell these devices with their false claims even though they have consistently been shown to be completely worthless. The company even has been fined for false claims and continues to sell their crap. I wish **Jasmine** would come back and explain what device they are using that they claim works. > [@](#): > > [Rocky Mountain Radar Review - Radar Roy](https://www.radarbusters.com/Rocky-Mountain-Radar-Review-s/2521.htm) > > Because of the publicity generated by Radar Roy’s $50,000 reward other national news outlets did their own investigations on Michael Churchman and his company Rocky Mountain Radar such as: > > 20/20 Investigation – Completely useless at jamming police radar. > > Extra Investigation – RMR products were ineffective against any police radar. > > American Journal Investigation – Failed at having any effect in jamming police radar. > > CBS Good Morning - Totally useless in jamming radar. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checked-by-radar/843008.md?page=3)