Radar Detector Law VA

[Radar Roy]

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArti cle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031780676678&path=!news&s=1045855934842


Q. In Virginia, is it illegal to have a radar-detecting device in a vehicle if it is not turned on? Thousands of trucks and cars pass through Virginia with radar-detecting devices that are used legally in other states. Many Virginia vehicles also have these devices installed in them for use in other states. Does a Virginia police officer have to actually detect that a device is on and working in order to issue a citation? -- R.D.

A. First, radar detectors are prohibited in Virginia.

If you are coming from a state where they are legal, you won't necessarily be arrested just for possessing one, said Tom Lambert, a state police legal specialist. But "the unit must be stored in such a manner as to make it not accessible, such as placing it in a trunk," he said.

"Sticking it into the glove box will not do, and just unplugging it is also not enough. State police and other agencies have equipment that can detect your detector," he said.

[marlinspike]

This is interesting, because the city of Fredrick's website says (somewhere) that it just has to be unplugged or have the batteries out, but the letter of the law does say you can't have one in your vehicle.
Richard

[stealthJamal]

Yep, It has to be out of your reach or not have an available power source for it to be legal to have in your car in VA.

Mine is always plugged in and turned on whenever I'm driving my car in VA. :D

[marlinspike]

Lucky virginians (virgins? virginiites?)

Here the law is "no person may instal or cause to be instaled, in exchange for consideration, a radar warning device in a motor vehicle. Offence of this section is subject to a $500 fine and confiscation of the radar warning device"

Heh, it will piss you off more to know that if you do get caught, it's a $40 fine and you keep your detector (it can at most be taken for evidence, but returned to you after the court hearing/you can have it mailed to you if you just want to admit guilt and pay the fine).
Richard

[SETITOFF]

Hey Smaart, did you ever get another RD. I haven't been back home yet to get what I got. Still in VA.

[SETITOFF]

So, Smaart have you received that RD yet? It's been a few days.

[marlinspike]

This is interesting, because the city of Fredrick's website says (somewhere) that it just has to be unplugged or have the batteries out, but the letter of the law does say you can't have one in your vehicle.
Richard

Either they recently changed the law, or updated the website, or I imagined something because now the law says it's ok as long as
"A person shall not be guilty of a violation of this section when the device or mechanism in question, at the time of the alleged offense, had no power source and was not readily accessible for use by the driver or any passenger in the vehicle."
So if you are the only person in the car, and you stick it unpowered in the back seat floor area, you'd legally be fine I think.
Richard