Radar Detectors
by Mike McClanahan
CBS 42 News
2007-11-20 20:00:00.0
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Even if you don't have one, you probably know someone who owns a radar detector. If you have ever wondered if they are legal, or if they work, this story should answer some questions.
Radar and laser detectors, jammers, and other devices are advertised as an advanced warning of police speed zones giving drivers enough time to slow their roll before getting hit with a hefty ticket. They've been around for decades, and yes, they are legal in most states including Alabama.
Bessemer Police Traffic Division Supervisor Sergeant Billy Brooks has two types of speed detection on board his cruiser. Ka-band radar emitted from this window mounted antenna gives him a vehicles' oncoming speed on this dash mounted display. He also has laser speed detection at his fingertips with lidar binoculars.
"Just put the mark on a vehicle and it gives you its speed," said Brooks.
Sergeant Brooks says many radar detectors can pick up the ka-band radar signal from his cruiser, but there are ways to make it harder. Like the "squelch" button that only activates the radar signal at the last second.
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“Which when you have the radar squelched, no detector's going to detect that beam because there's not one there," said Brooks.
But as technology evolves to meet the demand for motorists who want to put the pedal to the metal, manufacturers are constantly coming up with new products. Like radar and laser jamming devices marketed as a way to cloak your car from speed detection.
One company even promises to "pay your ticket" if it doesn't work.
In Alabama they are also legal, and Sergeant Brooks says he's seen the devices in action. He describes instances when a car that is keeping up with fast lane interstate traffic will registers as going "zero" miles per hour.
Prices for a radar, laser detector or jammer can range from $99 to over $300. But there are less expensive, less sophisticated ways to warn of a speed trap ahead.
"This guys going to run 25. Another deterrent is probably from here to Tuscaloosa now they're flicking their lights on coming traffic let them know the police is up ahead. They're doing our job for us," said Brooks.
Sure enough…
"Hey we knew ya'll was down here. About every ten or 15 cars that go by they were flicking their lights, warning them that they're down here,” said Lee Cummings.
But whether they work or not, Brooks says any device that encourages speeding is a bad idea. In Bessemer, there were six fatal accidents in 2006. This year, there have already been 13.
"Speed played a role in at least five of those accidents," said Brooks.
Speed limits are set by traffic engineers, with the intention of saving lives, not raking in ticket revenue. You never know what you're going to come across on the road, so drive safely. They don't make hazard detectors yet.
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