Question from Virginia

[Justin Garrett]

So I've been a lurking member for a while. I'm from Virginia and was looking at getting an STI driver because detectors are illegal in Virginia. The reason why I'm finally posting is because I'm taking a State and Local Government course in college, and we had to write a paper about a policy we would change in our state. My topic is for VA to repeal the current legislation and to allow radar detector use in the state. The problem I'm having is finding scholarly sources as to why 49 states allow radar detector use? To me, it makes more sense to not allow them (though I still would like to get an STI driver). Common sense says the reason you would get a radar detector is to know when the cops are ahead and to slow down. Any help would be appreciated

[KlokanXM]

Hello,
maybe you can look on the problem as on the freedom to receive informations.
If you will hear in radio, that somewhere are cops measuring the speed - do you want to prosecute the radio station for telling it?
If your wife in your car will see Cops and will tell you " hey, there is a cop there and is measuring speed" - do you want to prosecute her ?
If you will load in your navigation POI´s with dangerous places, fixed radars and places where Cops use to measure speed - is it a problem for you ?

Radar detector is just a little different radio receiver, which tells you that somewhere around you is some signal on some frequency sent. Nothing more...

Active jammers are quite another story.

[PMoth]

Hello,
maybe you can look on the problem as on the freedom to receive informations.
If you will hear in radio, that somewhere are cops measuring the speed - do you want to prosecute the radio station for telling it?
If your wife in your car will see Cops and will tell you " hey, there is a cop there and is measuring speed" - do you want to prosecute her ?
If you will load in your navigation POI´s with dangerous places, fixed radars and places where Cops use to measure speed - is it a problem for you ?

Radar detector is just a little different radio receiver, which tells you that somewhere around you is some signal on some frequency sent. Nothing more...

Active jammers are quite another story.

Completely AGREE!

And this is why, on a federal level, the Virginia state law banning radar-detection devices is illegal.
AFAIK, if you are a licensed ham radio operator, you can legally operate a radar detector in VA. A ham radio operator battled his case in court, after being given a radar detector ticket, and WON. Makes you wonder about the system eh. A radar detector is nothing more than a radio.
Keep in mind this does not mean you will not be stopped and ticketed every time an officer sees or detects a radar detector in your car.

Me personally, I would NEVER drive through Virginia without radar and laser protection. My STI magnum and Escort Live saved me 13 times driving thru that horrible state back in December 2011. The Leos are very sneaky and hunt like wolves. And to top it off, there are speed cameras on highways....

Justin, do yourself a favor and get the STI Magnum or Escort Redline. You will not be disappointed. Also, good luck with your research.