Radars detectors legal?

[Ixion]

My experience with Radar detectors would suggest that there are a lot of lazy cops out there then

go fish

Or smart ones, who figure that they slow more road users down that way? Cos, as you noted, the range of a good detector is such that it will pick a signal up from several kilometres away.

Followed of course by "eek, there's a cop somewhere around" and a speed reduction to well under the limit for the next 10 minutes or so. 10 minutes at 100kph is about 16 kilometres. If the cop is tootling round spreading a 30 odd kilometre diameter circle of slowed down traffic about him, he might well think that was a pretty good idea.

If I was a cop in a country town, I'd get a couple of old radar guns, and set them up running 24 by 7. One in the snakeshop, and a couple dropped off at a farmers a few kilometres out of town in each direction.

Bet that'd markedly cut down the amount of traffic speeding through his town , eh?

[scumdog]

Or smart ones, who figure that they slow more road users down that way? Cos, as you noted, the range of a good detector is such that it will pick a signal up from several kilometres away.

If I was a cop in a country town, I'd get a couple of old radar guns, and set them up running 24 by 7. One in the snakeshop, and a couple dropped off at a farmers a few kilometres out of town in each direction.

Bet that'd markedly cut down the amount of traffic speeding through his town , eh?

You've been watching me, haven't you??

[rwh]

Here's a thought - if the speed radars used the same 2.4GHz spectrum as WiFi, then detectors would be going off all the time in built-up areas ... might cause a bit of pain for WiFi users, though

Richard

[madandy]

That's the sort of Policing I would respect!
It validates the whole point about RD's being useful. I keep my license and money and the local cops can stay in the pub rather than chasing people for 110km/h. Or maybe go chase some proper bad people.

[denill]

Especially when the stop is faster than they planned.

No doubt about that.

[swbarnett]

Ah, but you guys are experience skilled riders - not a spotty oik in a clapped out 323 with a load of mates trying to see how fast it will go.

And I've achieved 200++++ks in THIS life many times and as we speak I'm not dead...

So you agree then that some speeding tickets are being handed out to perfectly safe drivers?

[denill]

So you agree then that some speeding tickets are being handed out to perfectly safe drivers?

He may not agree. But as I've been around for quite a few years, it's worked for me (and a lot of others that I know). So far, so good.

[Bass]

I read somewhere (which means I have no idea how true it is) that the users of radar detectors have a lower accident rate than non users.
Let's assume this is true for a moment and if so, it might be a useful statistic.

On the other hand it might also just mean that the sort of people who go out and buy detectors, are the sort of people who have less accidents anyway.

Bugger!

[sinned]

I would like to see the analysis that justifies banning radar detectors. Is there any evidence that users of the detector have any more accidents?

I find the detector useful to warn me when not to pass a slower vehicle as I am likely to exceed the speed limit by 10 - 30 kph before a drop back to 100 - 108. It is also a warning to check for a lower speed zone.

It is easy to get caught when travelling outside known territory as speed signs can be missed. I didn't think a RD was worth having until I got pinged for 62k in what I thought was a 70kph area leading into a 50kph area. I was slowing at the 50kph sign and the first one (that I missed) was on the entry to a large roundabout at the end of 100kph motorway. The section between the roundabout and the built up area is over a bridge and probably should be zoned 70kph (so much for driving to the conditions). Locals probably don't get caught here as they will be aware of the speed zoning and will have seen cops there before.

If you drive/ride excessively fast even with a RD you will get caught as in many situations they don't give enough warning. Where they are very effective is giving warning of stationary units targeting vehicles as they enter poorly signed areas (ie speed traps).

The question for me is; will I install a hidden RD?

[rwh]

I didn't think a RD was worth having until I got pinged for 62k in what I thought was a 70kph area leading into a 50kph area.

How would that help? Surely the if the RD went off, you'd check and confirm you were within what you thought was the limit, and continue on your merry way. Or are you the kind of rider/driver who jams on your brakes at any sign of the police, regardless of how slowly you're riding/driving at the time?

Richard

[denill]

I read somewhere (which means I have no idea how true it is) that the users of radar detectors have a lower accident rate than non users.
Let's assume this is true for a moment and if so, it might be a useful statistic.

The technician referred to in post #1 said that there are stats to that effect?

[denill]

I read somewhere (which means I have no idea how true it is) that the users of radar detectors have a lower accident rate than non users.
Let's assume this is true for a moment and if so, it might be a useful statistic.

Now there's a thought. The legislators will make RDs compulsory in the interests of safety - and you will be fined if you haven't got one fitted.

[rwh]

Now there's a thought. The legislators will make RDs compulsory in the interests of safety - and you will be fined if you haven't got one fitted.

Damn - compulsory and banned at the same time. Even this government wouldn't do that ... would they?

Richard

[sinned]

How would that help? Surely the if the RD went off, you'd check and confirm you were within what you thought was the limit, and continue on your merry way. Or are you the kind of rider/driver who jams on your brakes at any sign of the police, regardless of how slowly you're riding/driving at the time?

Richard

Yes I would check and confirm and in this situation I would have had plenty of warning and would not have drifted past a 50kph sign at over 50. Now before anyone gets carried away - picture this: You are driving over a big wide bridge that is higher than the area in front,with a clear view and at the 50kph sign at the end of the bridge you are going downhill with a slight curve to the left. Around the curve and a few hundred metres away is the HP car that is just inside what I would describe as a built up area. So I got pinged as I came around the curve and before the built up area started but of course well inside the 50kph area, having missed the first sign.

More speed signs are needed on NZ roads.

[more_fasterer]

If I was a cop in a country town, I'd get a couple of old radar guns, and set them up running 24 by 7. One in the snakeshop, and a couple dropped off at a farmers a few kilometres out of town in each direction.

Bet that'd markedly cut down the amount of traffic speeding through his town , eh?

How would you meet your performance targets then????