New Law (BILL) - radar speed detectors inside cars/use of

pko · Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:33 pm Post subject:

Does anyone know when this law will come into effect, & how will the police know if a device is fitted or not? Also, if the offence only carries a non endorsement fixed penalty, will the risk of being caught with one outweigh the advantages of using one?

Darren · Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:45 pm Post subject:

999tommo · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 2:10 am Post subject:

I honestly cannot see what the difference is between a radar detector and a GPS based database of known 'black spots' (apart from the obvious). A radar detector's function is represented as being a way for motorists to blast down the roads, knowing they are 'safe' from prosecution if their device does not detect a radar / laser device. This argument could be made for people who have SCD's on their GPS systems. Perhaps they too speed around and slow down for the cameras or black spots if you like. It is all a play on words. I'm not for a minute saying either should be prohibited. Detector users could argue that they too are detecting black spots and therefore reducing their speed at known problem areas and in turn adding to the reduction in KSI's (Killed or Seriously Injured).

If a Police officer chooses to stand at the side of the road with a laser, he is their to detect speeders as he feels it is unsafe to travel at inappropriate speeds at that location. A detector will detect the laser and the driver will slow and therefore it could be said that the result is exactly what the Police want. A GPS user however will not have the benefit of knowing where a Policeman chooses to put himself on a any particular day.

Radar or laser jammers on the other hand are different entirely and they only have an illegal purpose as opposed to a moral purpose which the others may have (depending on your viewpoint).

There are many ways to skin a cat. VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer And Recorder) for example does not emit any signal and therefore cannot be detected. It can be used in a stationary or moving vehicle in a variety of modes. Those people who flout the speed restrictions deliberately, whether they use a detector, jammer or even a GPS camera database can all be captured with VASCAR.

As an advanced Police driver, I check my speedometer regularly in any case and try not to speed at all. We all make mistakes however and a momentary laps in concentration is all it takes to fall foul of the law.

For me the jury is still out on what should be allowed. I'm sure someone will have strong views on the matter though. Watch this space.
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Tommo...

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999tommo · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 2:14 am Post subject:

Moderators.....

What clock time do you use for your site ? I posted the last entry at 00:10 yet it shows 01:10 on the post.

Regards,

Tommo
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Tommo...

Regularly absent, but still here in spirit !

Oldboy · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:32 am Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:10 am Post subject:

tgold · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:44 am Post subject:

tgold · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:55 am Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:04 pm Post subject:

But it is still an offence to receive certain transmissions isn't it? All they have to do is include those from radar and laser which is still technically a transmission albeit at a much higher frequency?
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Darren Griffin

tgold · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:42 pm Post subject:

Cheers Tony, I knew that radar detectors had escaped previous legislation owing to a loophole but wasn't aware of the finer points!
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Darren Griffin

999tommo · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 7:33 pm Post subject:

Darren,

I understand there is a distinct difference in the properties of the devices and one can be ligislated against because it receives a 'message'. It's down to the opinion of the judge at the end of the day whether he deems a laser or radar signal to be a message. What I was getting at is in the actual use of either a GPS camera database or a radar / laser detector. If you are that way inclined, you are going to use it purely to reduce your inappropriate speed to avoid prosecution at the known or detected sites. So fundamentally they serve the same purpose in that respect.

tgold,

I, as a traffic officer, am not sent out to a specific location to detect and prosecute. In Scotland we are a bit more liberal and realistic and it comes down to the discretion of the officer to some degree, whether or not he chooses to issue tickets to individuals. We do have strategies and matrices to work around but within that there is plenty of scope for using your own judgement.
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Tommo...

Regularly absent, but still here in spirit !

999tommo · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 7:47 pm Post subject:

Darren wrote

mossman · Regular Visitor Joined: Dec 21, 2005 Posts: 90

999tommo · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:38 pm Post subject:

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