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House to vote on eliminating law against radar detectors Date published: 2/10/2010
BY CHELYEN DAVIS
RICHMOND --The House of Delegates will vote today on a bill that would eliminate Virginia's distinction as the only state that bans radar detectors.The bill simply repeals the ban on the devices, which motorists can use to detect police using radar guns to catch speeders. "This is a bill whose time has come," said Del. Joe May, R-Leesburg, the bill's sponsor. "Virginia stands alone as being the sole state to ban them. It creates non-uniform traffic laws. This is something that has outlived its usefulness." Del. Bill Carrico, R-Grayson, a former state trooper, opposed the bill, saying the sole purpose of radar detectors is to violate the law. He also said the bill could legalize other devices, like radar jammers, which would make it pointless for law enforcement agencies having spent money on radar guns. Carrico also warned that the bill would encourage criminals. "A lot of drug runners on I-95 are watching this bill," Carrico said. He said possession of illegal radar detectors can provide police with grounds to search a stopped vehicle, which can help police find drugs. Del. Jackson Miller, R-Manassas, also argued against the bill, saying that fewer people getting speeding tickets means less money going into government coffers for services like education. Nevertheless, the House gave the bill preliminary approval. It will get a final vote today, then must go through the Senate. Chelyen Davis: 540/368-5028
and other similar highways designed for higher speeds. We had higher speed limits until that crackpot Nixon decided to lower them to 55 to save gas. (And lower the thermostat to 65 degrees..ha! (I like 75!)
In any event, you may or may not know this, but interstate truckers call Virginia the "Communist State" and that has nothing to do with our flip-flop politics.
I like this bill, seems right to me; if you're opposed to this legislation then you should be for something else. I got a speeding ticked a couple years ago on a road that I NEVER speed on. When I saw the lights I looked at the speedometer and was going 2 mph under posted speed. I asked to see the radar and was denied; judge said I didn't have to be shown it. If we're not allowed to have radar detectors then police MUST have proof that we were speeding. I thought I was innocent until proven guilty...
It's because they aren't really legal. The Federal Comm. Act of 1934 allows anyone to receive radio transmissions. Even encrypted transmissions are ok to receive, as long as they are not decrypted without authorization. VA does not have jurisdiction to ban radar detectors, since that is the FCC's domain. Radar jammers are already illegal by federal law, so VA doesn't need to worry too much about them becoming legal any time soon. Fireball, he knows about speeding, especially when he's late :)
I'm glad to see the key points already mentioned. 1-The increasing use of LIDAR has made radar detectors obsolete. 2-Radar units in increasing use tend to be either hand-held stationary units that release the beam when a target has been identified, making it harder for detectors to work. 3-Even the older versions (dash or window-mounted units) have a "hold" button that makes it possible to restrict the beam. The reality is the law has been eclipsed by technology and has become an embarrassment.
But it's a stretch to call people that exceed the speed limit "criminal's.
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