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I was talking to my buddy the other day who is a trucker. He showed me a brake light switch he says he uses in states where RD's are banned.
I asked why and he basically said, sometimes LEO's sit way back behind a group of trucks making good time and hit the radar and look for brake lights.
Any of you guys on this forum run a brake light switch?
I do, but not for that purpose. In fact, I completely oppose it for that purpose because it is senseless, pointless, and dangerous. There is no law against hitting your brakes.
Thats true. But it is a dead giveaway So for what reason do you run one SS?
I don't, because dropping an anchor after getting an I/O hit is just pointless desperation.
If I had to face laser or were in a RD-banned area I'd consider it. Just make sure it's a momentary switch and not a toggle I could forget to switch off.
Doesn't matter if it's a dead giveaway. You have done nothing illegal. Brakes are legal, and people don't need an excuse to use them. F the cop. He's still got no probable cause to stop or search you.Quote:
Originally Posted by barryswanson
I run it for sneaking around in the dark.
I like the way you think. I think i might install one on my rocket ship.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stealth StalkerDoesn't matter if it's a dead giveaway. You have done nothing illegal. Brakes are legal, and people don't need an excuse to use them. F the cop. He's still got no probable cause to stop or search you.Quote:
Originally Posted by barryswanson
I run it for sneaking around in the dark.
Anyone who runs a brake light cut-off as a countermeasure like you describe is an idiot. First of all, you're not going to think fast enough to hit that switch before braking. And even if you did, that's not fast enough to keep the cop from getting your speed, so it's pointless. Not to mention that sooner or later, you're going to forget and leave the switch on and buy a world full of trouble.
I've seen a wiring diagram somewhere on the interwebs that utilizes a relay and the mute wire from the LI to kill the lights for when getting tagged in the rear, could be useful with a quad setup and in a banned area.
As for radar if I hear full noise IO I don't bother with touching the brakes and your truckie mate should train himself to do the same.
SS if they suspect you have a device here they can tear your vehicle apart on the roadside looking for it if they want, then proceed to tear you a new one if they find it.
I was actually thinking about a rear brake light kill switch, since I installed my rear jammers. It would be nice when you are in states where L.J.'s are illegal. I wish Blinders would let you know if your getting a alert from the front or rear that would be helpful info.Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrots
Very interesting..I would love to know the kind of truckers that are doing this. Truck driving is a hard unforgiving job. Most truckers are very professional an excellent drivers. Anyone who would apply this option to there truck is an idiot.
This is very common in Europe. I have an Austrian friend who says all of his buddies do it, even on motorcycles.
I encounter hundreds of truckers a month on my bi-monthly trek between Salt Lake and SF Bay Area. I rarely see truckers even going over PSL and would need such a device. I can vividly recall the 2 or 3 truckers that were speeding in my last 50,000 miles of desert driving.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jstglockem
Unfortunately there are a lot who aren't so professional. But it happens in every job/industry.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jstglockem
In oz trucks are electronically speed governed by the engine management system.
When they get pulled over by transport inspectors the inspectors can plug there computer into the trucks computer and see what speeds they have been doing and for how long they have been driving etc.
But unfortunately there are easy ways around that. The computer gets it speed from a sensor in the gearbox. A simple homemade device known as a 'whizzer' in the industry is placed on the cable between the ECM and the gearbox.
Most 'whizzers' i've seen consist of a flashing light base. It tricks the ECU into thinking it's not going as fast as it is, allowing the truck to reach speeds well above the PSL. Of course things like diff ratios limit the trucks capabilities but none the less many have diff ratios to suit there desired speed and application (ie. Gross Vehicle Mass).
But thats not the scary bit. The scary bit is most of the types of drivers who engage in this illeagle and dangerous practice are often the same guys who dont sleep for days. I know of guys who won't sleep for up to four days, thanks to some chemical assistance.
Scary but true.
Baz, I honestly think their days are numbered and I don't know how the hell they get away with it. I drive trucks for a company intrastate not interstate and I've lost count of the number of times over the last couple of years since drug testing has come in that I been pulled into open weighbridges and tested.Quote:
Originally Posted by barryswanson
Maybe they don't drive through my state. :dontknow:
Your right Carrots their days are definately numbered. But i'm amazed at how many guys are willing to take that risk. I know one guy who claims a quick swig of apple cidar vinegar whilst pulling up to get swabbed for a drug test takes care of everything. He swears by it. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by CarrotsBaz, I honestly think their days are numbered and I don't know how the hell they get away with it. I drive trucks for a company intrastate not interstate and I've lost count of the number of times over the last couple of years since drug testing has come in that I been pulled into open weighbridges and tested.Quote:
Originally Posted by barryswanson
Maybe they don't drive through my state. :dontknow:
Sounds like a job for ..... MYTHBUSTERS! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by barryswanson
Yeah i reckon that would be a good one. I find it hard to believe. I learnt to take everything with a grain a salt that comes from a users mouth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrots
Didn't they do a show that proved laser jammers don't work? You know that when it comes to anything that could encourage viewers to engage in illegal activity they're going to carefully engineer the experiment to prove that "you're really better off following the law, comrade!"Quote:
Originally Posted by barryswansonYeah i reckon that would be a good one. I find it hard to believe. I learnt to take everything with a grain a salt that comes from a users mouth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrots
True that, also I think some of their methods leave a lot to be desired, but then maybe it's all about the (mis) infotainment.Quote:
Originally Posted by supercowpowers
I believe those shows have <programmed> knowledge bending towardQuote:
Originally Posted by supercowpowersDidn't they do a show that proved laser jammers don't work? You know that when it comes to anything that could encourage viewers to engage in illegal activity they're going to carefully engineer the experiment to prove that "you're really better off following the law, comrade!"Quote:
Originally Posted by barryswansonYeah i reckon that would be a good one. I find it hard to believe. I learnt to take everything with a grain a salt that comes from a users mouth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrots
political rectitude ...either intentionally or by lack of competence .
Which is , in a sense , good for the hardcore cmsusers ...
Thruth is not a black/white animal ,
it is a layered cake of true/false :rolleyes:
When I get rear heads I might consider getting that switch done, but I'd only use it rarely.
I am proud to hold a CDL and take pride in my driving of any vehicle, but especially commercial vehicles. I make sure to follow psl's and focus on my braking and such. the majority of trucks I've driven have a 65mph speed restriction, but like they say, "locks are for the honest."Quote:
Originally Posted by OpenRoad
I've seen RD's on semi's and in B-class trucks. There should be no need.
as far as brake light switches in personal cars..... :)
Rear/Brake light switches are certainly part of the 'ultimate arsenal' of countermeasures, but the risks involved even for the enthusiastic enthusiast are beyond what should normally be considered acceptable.
If you run one and end up getting punted by the driver behind, I'd have to conclude the goal of avoiding law enforcement failed. Worst case?:
a) You're @ss packed...in front of a LEO running a speed trap.
b) Someone is injured.
c) Insurance companies get involved and the litigation commences.
d) Cars are impounded and inspected for proper working order.
e) Toys are discovered, felony charges are filed...
That's the (very) quick and dirty, but suffice to say, it gets ugly in a hurry.
What might look glamorous on YouTube isn't always a smart idea.