Speedtraps - VIRGINIA

**stealthJamal** · 12-13-2004, 08:01 PM

First of all, VA is one big speed trap. I drive in Maryland just as much as Virginia, but Virginia has about 2 times the amount of speed traps Maryland has. LOTS of constant on radar in VA. Cops like to hide from eye site on the side of the road or the median and run constant on radar. Moving constant on radar is also a trend here. A lot of times they just drive around with moving constant on radar and make u-turns and nab somebody. Cops here seem to like to hide behind bushes and overpasses with constant on radar. Another popular set up is constant on radar just on the other side of a hill.

I have only seen instant on set up twice. One time was the state police on interstate 95 a little south of Richmond using Ka band. He was parked on the right side of the road partially hidden in a brown unmarked Impala using his side mirror and his rear antenna. The only other time I've seen instant on radar was on Route 17 in Faquier County. This time it was a marked state police car sampling the oncoming traffic with Ka band as he drove. My X50 gave me plenty of warning in both cases.

You will find slight laser use in densely populated areas (Northern VA, Norfolk/VA Beach area for example).

If you are passing through VA, I suggest you ignore the brown sign with white letters that reads "Radar Detectors Illegal" and leave your detector up if you plan on speeding. Just take it down when you get near a radar source or see a cop. If it's night time on the highway, it's likely the cops won't see it at all in full dark mode. As you can see in my post in the Spectre/VG2 section, the penalty if you get caught with a detector is weak.

Although not as common as radar, nighttime pacing is used in marked and non-marked (seen Ford Explorers, Dodge Stratus, Camaros, RAM 1500 truck) police vechicles. So never let your gaurd down if you are using a detector. Hell, I think that is good advice in any part of the USA day or night.

BTW, the biggest speed trap town (my opinion) in VA is Vienna. About 50 cops that do traffic for a tiny town in Northern VA, they will stop you for the most minor offenses (5mph over for example) and they never give warnings.

Roy, your site is great.

Jamal

**Veil Guy** · 12-13-2004, 08:09 PM

Hmmm. Sounds like the 80s in VA. I remember driving in upstate NJ and NY in the early 80s with the oriiginal Escort before there was such a thing as instant on radar... And I was a king!

I sure miss those days!

The Veil Guy

**SETITOFF** · 01-18-2005, 02:04 PM

Here is a speed trap for you in N.VA. Should you ever travel on RTE 7100 (Fairfax Co. Parkway) between Fairfax and Springfield going towards Fairfax and coming off I-95, use caution after the RTE identifier changes from 7500 to 7100. FCP and VSHP set traps along this route using LIDAR and radar. Posted spL is 50, average flow from 60 to 70mph.

**jdmartin** · 02-01-2005, 10:57 AM

Another notorious Virginia speed trap is between mile markers 60-77 on Interstate 81, both north and southbound. Wytheville, Virginia. I have received a ticket myself here some years back and always see lots of cars pulled over in this area. Usually don't use unmarked and is a combination between state troopers and county sheriff.

FYI, I contested the ticket. After waiting several hours and watching scads of locals get off with DUI's, revoked licenses, etc, I felt pretty good about my chances (was on my way to a funeral when stopped). Cop verified my story. Judge took $5 off the ticket. I am convinced it was because I was an out-of-towner. To this day I won't spend a dime in Wythe County.

**SETITOFF** · 03-23-2005, 06:03 AM

I've recently noticed a white van that looks like a maintenance vehicle set up at different off-ramps of VA route roads like Rt 608 and 7100...radar cams...when set up the operators place orange cones along the solid white dividing lines at the entrances to other routes...radar is set on a tripod and I assume the camera is inside the van.

I hope to one day have an opportunity to take a pic of a setup so you all can see what I've seen. The van is unmarked - BTW.

Also, along I-66 the VASHP are setting up their HOV hotspots again. Not only are they setting up along the HWY, but they are setting up along the on and off ramps as well.

**Palestar** · 05-08-2005, 07:27 AM

The worst Speed Trap in VA is along I-95 North between Ashland (exit 92) and Fredericksburg in Caroline County between exits 110-118. The HP ALWAYS sit there in the median as you are coming around a slight corner slightly downhill. DO NOT drive in the far left lane or you're doomed. I got nailed there. Also watch out when going Southbound in the same area at night.

In Oakton VA I've seen Laser used and handheld K along Waples Mill Road down from the NRA Building.

Lots of Constant on K and KA along Rte 17 between Warrenton and Fredericksburg.

Pay attention!

**Catalyst** · 07-02-2005, 05:23 AM

All of RT 29 from Northern VA to Charlottesville, routinely drive it and routinely pass 2+ traps...

**edweird** · 07-02-2005, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by SETITOFF

I've recently noticed a white van that looks like a maintenance vehicle set up at different off-ramps of VA route roads like Rt 608 and 7100...radar cams...when set up the operators place orange cones along the solid white dividing lines at the entrances to other routes...radar is set on a tripod and I assume the camera is inside the van.

I hope to one day have an opportunity to take a pic of a setup so you all can see what I've seen. The van is unmarked - BTW.

The setup I've seen used in CA and TX to measure vehicle emissions, via infra-red camera looks exactly the same. Always on an off ramp, on a tripod, with cones and a white van.

Ed