Sneaky speed camera placement

"KnowsAboutCars" (knowsaboutcars) 05/21/2014 at 14:41 • Filed to: None

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Photo Credit: Belgian Police Historical Service

ly2v8-Brian > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 14:44

20

Doesn't matter it is a speed camera, it must be done.

Shankems > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 15:03

6

Put it on a flatbed (facing backwards) and tow it as near opposing traffic as you can. TICKETS FOR EVERYONE! Corollas goin 150+!

KnowsAboutCars > ly2v8-Brian 05/21/2014 at 15:09

5

I prefer this method:

mcseanerson > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 15:21

12

Wow, I'm so glad I live where I do. In Ohio cops have to be clearly visible on the side of the road with their lights on if they're checking speeds. In my town when they put in speed cameras people protested every day until they were gone.

Captain Hostile > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 15:22

1

Dicks...

boomshakalakakakaka > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 15:29

0

fags

satalac > boomshakalakakakaka 05/21/2014 at 15:31

8

Nope, just a van with a speed camera in it. I don't see any piles of sticks anywhere.

Takuro Spirit > Captain Hostile 05/21/2014 at 15:35

13

Nope, just a van with a speed camera in it. I don't see any piles of penises anywhere.

Bueller > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 15:40

6

Hidden in plain sight, because nobody would find a VW #2 van stranded on the side of the road strange!

Captain Hostile > Takuro Spirit 05/21/2014 at 15:41

0

Technically no, but in the spirit of ruining a Bus to make a speed camera, those who did this are not nice people. Far more wordy then "Dicks" but you can't please everyone.

Reigntastic > satalac 05/21/2014 at 15:42

6

I didn't see any cigarettes either.

satalac > Reigntastic 05/21/2014 at 15:45

2

Maybe on the side of the road? I dunno, I don't have that special "ENHANCE *types really fast*" feature on my computer. I'm sure there's a good reason he typed "fags" right?

KnowsAboutCars > Captain Hostile 05/21/2014 at 15:47

4

But in the 70's Belgium a VW T2 wasn't anything special.

burpbeepburp > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 15:52

1

It's a 1969 Microbus with probably a 1200cc engine (its Belgium) that puts out 35 horsepower.

Can it really be called a "Speed Camera"?

by the way, this is the ultimate in Safari Windows!!!!!

DjWang > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 15:52

1

We have remote operated "Boxes"

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > mcseanerson 05/21/2014 at 15:54

0

South Korea has zones in which speed enforcement takes place, and whether they're enforcing speeds that day or not is indicated by little cop-car lights on the middle barrier flashing or not flashing.

KnowsAboutCars > DjWang 05/21/2014 at 15:54

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The first thing that came into my mind when I saw this was some prankster flipping it on its side.

KnowsAboutCars > burpbeepburp 05/21/2014 at 15:56

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Well, it's faster than a regular speed camera sitting on top of a pole.

More like safari doors.

DjWang > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 15:59

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S/He wouldn't get far. The "officer" sits in the black SUV monitoring it

osuhurless1 > mcseanerson 05/21/2014 at 15:59

0

Have to have lights on? Is that an Ohio Revised Code thing? I'd love to have that in my back pocket because there are locals that do not have their lights on when checking speed!

Dabamash > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 16:03

0

In the UK, they are static and have to be both signposted and painted neon yellow. The idea is that they are a speed deterrent, rather than a speeding tax.

Of course, the fuzz still manages to hide them behind trees and stuff, so you only see them at the last moment. They also have mobile vans, but they are super bright (see pic), so it's your own fault if you miss them.

In some ways, it's a better system, as it actively slows down the road, but then, only near the actual camera. I suppose the French method of being sneaky as fuck also works, as everyone is too terrified to speed.

Eurgh. I hate speed traps, but part of me can't find any reason to hate on them. After all, if you're not speeding, you won't get caught. :/

Remember dialing "popcorn" for the time? > Takuro Spirit 05/21/2014 at 16:04

0

Oh my god, I was literally laughing as loud as I could at work! Best line I've seen in a while.

Takuro Spirit > Remember dialing "popcorn" for the time? 05/21/2014 at 16:06

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I was inspired

550F2 > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 16:07

7

This one is pretty sneaky, it's a standard type of trashcan so very common to see at the side of the road here. They are also hidden in trailers, and unmarked cars sometimes.

fintail > Dabamash 05/21/2014 at 16:08

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Are the cameras there ran by the "authorities", or is it a partnership between funds-desperate municipalities and palms-greasing fake private sector corporations like it is in Murica?

One reason to hate it - artificially low/arbitrary speed limits.

MAXIMUMVRM > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 16:10

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would not work in the US as we are all rubberneckers

Aaron James > osuhurless1 05/21/2014 at 16:10

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only at night. otherwise all the police around here are breaking the law.

Scaggnetti > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 16:20

0

Don't you just love freedom! Chickenshit pigs.

mcseanerson > osuhurless1 05/21/2014 at 16:24

2

not cop lights, but head lights

Iwaswonderofwonders > 550F2 05/21/2014 at 16:26

3

That will give cops in Virginia too many ideas.

OG Glip Glop > mcseanerson 05/21/2014 at 16:31

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Even though it always sucks to get a ticket and I've gotten flashed twice, how does it make sense to protest speed cameras? I hate em as much as the next guy but it just sounds funny to say "remove this thing so you don't know when we are breaking the law"

Intending_Acceleration > mcseanerson 05/21/2014 at 16:31

4

Sounds great. Let's also require them to announce via bullhorn, when responding to a robbery in progress: "POLICE! 60, 59, 58, 57, 56, 55, 54 [...] 3, 2, 1....READY OR NOT HERE WE COME."

Seriously, what is this shit? It's not "fair" for them to be hidden behind something? It's not "fair" for them to not be in a car you can identify a mile away as a police car? You're breaking the law.

mcseanerson > OG Glip Glop 05/21/2014 at 16:35

5

well these were speed/redlight cameras but at the end of the day it's the will of the people. We prefer a little less government here.

alvape > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 16:36

1

Sure is a more elegant solution than the most recent addition to the fleet!
(Even though this is a license plate scanner and not a speed camera vehicle.)

mcseanerson > Intending_Acceleration 05/21/2014 at 16:37

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Wow, I never argued "fair," just enjoying my situation. I grew up in Florida so I'm conditioned to check my mirrors after every overpass, on ramp, anywhere cops can hide.

Remember dialing "popcorn" for the time? > Takuro Spirit 05/21/2014 at 16:37

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Truly ... though it does make me wonder if you ever have seen a pile of penises ...

Thundergamer > OG Glip Glop 05/21/2014 at 16:38

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Then that is the same argument that the NSA lovers make. "I have nothing to hide", etc.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 16:41

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Crumple zones? What crumple zones?

KnowsAboutCars > alvape 05/21/2014 at 16:47

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Dat hood scoop doe!

davedave1111 > Thundergamer 05/21/2014 at 16:53

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It really isn't, because the whol epoint is that we all have the same thing to hide: speeding. It's the argument that sometimes the problem isn't the cameras that can tell you're breaking the law, but the law itself.

ORANGE! > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 17:12

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Love it! This is brilliant!! Not as funny as Remi Gaillard pretending to be a speed camera, but funny nonetheless!!

PS9 > Shankems 05/21/2014 at 17:22

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Easy challenge in court. No one but no one thinks a Corolla can reach 150

terpenedream > mcseanerson 05/21/2014 at 17:25

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Is this statewide? Because I know that's not how they do it down here in Cincinnati, but if that's the rule, I really want a dashcam to prove their lights were off.

Quentin0352 > OG Glip Glop 05/21/2014 at 18:05

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Not like Boston is in a huge mess because they found out tens of thousands of innocent people were given tickets and the way you fight them is a joke. Usually you have to pay the fine amount to get an "administrative" hearing in front of a bureaucrat who is NOT a judge and has no real legal training. The DO have a vested interest in always deciding with the camera that gives them a job and full benefits.

But hey, as long as you don't do anything wrong then why shouldn't you let the police in your home when they want to inspect everything or care about even having a trial at all since they waste money? Not lit innocent people are convicted all the time or government is ever busted committing crimes and violating the constitution.

Thundergamer > davedave1111 05/21/2014 at 18:07

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I agree it is the law. If we lived in a real democracy, driving 65 as a law maker would show you that you're passed more than you're passing and that would be your vote to raise the limit by ten or whatever mph. The problem is speed cameras do nothing but collect money. If speeding was too save lives, the ticket I get after my car explodes doing 80 would be sent to my widow's house and not save my life when a real cop would tell me to slow down...but hyperbole, this is 'Murica. I'll F the eye of big brother with my eagle dick.

moardots > OG Glip Glop 05/21/2014 at 18:12

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Because they tend to cause more accidents than they prevent, particularly when you local road authority decreases the yellow light times to pump up the red light revenue.

davedave1111 > Thundergamer 05/21/2014 at 18:51

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"The problem is speed cameras do nothing but collect money."

They can definitely be set up that way, but they can be used right as well. It's rare, but I've seen a few in good places.

One example is at the top of a blind crest, at the end of a long straight on a 60-limit single lane road. Just after the crest is a turn that's a bit sharp at 60, a proper corner at 70, and at anything over that you'd be off the road in almost any car. The speed camera's visible from way back, and the first time I drove that way it's what saved me from going straight on at the corner.

OG Glip Glop > mcseanerson 05/21/2014 at 19:00

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Gotta do that here. They set up so many over the last few years in Portland. One street has two lights about 100 feet apart and once it turns yellow when you're crossing the first light you gotta hella hit the breaks so you dont get flashed. But if your car passes the line even as youre doing the last part of the stop you get flashed and ticketed anyway. Bullshit.

Cebu > alvape 05/21/2014 at 19:14

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Actually, that's a very speedy camera, at least in vRS spec.

jkm7680 > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 19:16

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Awesome Idea, Just don't tell the VSP.

KTMAngryDragon > fintail 05/21/2014 at 19:22

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They used to be run by the police but they recently handed over to local councils/townships, who in turn handed over to private sector etc and other 'financially interested' groups. Positioning of the vans and cameras has become significantly more 'strategic' since and there does appear to be a creeping trend of artificially low or insane, stupid speed limits on roads that were once 60mph or more.

Thundergamer > davedave1111 05/21/2014 at 19:28

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So the threat of losing money is a better deterrent to you than the possible loss of your life? Which a "slow down, sharp curve" sign would cure, or road bumps, or speed bump, or a roundabout or or or.... This is a great metaphor about modern society.

un-hipster > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 19:31

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low hanging fruit harvester

Thundergamer > davedave1111 05/21/2014 at 19:35

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*I wrote something else but it seemed to go away, anyway...*

Why is a speed camera a better deterrent than a sign telling us there is a sharp turn ahead? Is it the guaranteed loss of money versus the maybe loss of our life? ...good metaphor about modern society. Either way, there are plenty of ways to get people to slow down without colleting money.

davedave1111 > Thundergamer 05/21/2014 at 19:37

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Honestly, I don't know if they even bother putting film in that camera. Not much point sending tickets to people who just crashed.

The cameras achieve one thing which signs don't, and that's making people slow down even if they think it's bullshit. Me, I'd probably slow down anyway if there were trustworthy signs saying 'Slow down - we really mean it here' or something. Some of the idiots on the road, though? I think the financial penalties work better on people who don't understand that their driving is dangerous.

BTW, don't think speed bumps quite work at 70mph. Not at keeping people on the road, anyway :)

davedave1111 > Thundergamer 05/21/2014 at 19:38

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Oh, it was back and I just responded to it :)

ly2v8-Brian > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 20:01

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Works for me.

Nytmare > mcseanerson 05/21/2014 at 20:32

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I don't know what Ohio's minimum visibility laws are for active patrol cars, but the whole "they have to have their lights on or it's entrapment" idea is a myth.

http://criminologycareers.about.com/od/Work_Enviro…

mcseanerson > Nytmare 05/21/2014 at 21:41

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Q: Are police officers required to have parking/headlights illuminated while monitoring traffic?

A: Ohio law requires lights on emergency vehicles to be displayed and viewed from a distance of 500 feet, only if they pose a road hazard or are in a potentially hazardous area for the motor vehicle operating public. This means that if a police car is safely parked and is not posing a hazard to oncoming traffic they can monitor for speeders or other violators without any lights on.

http://www.magnoliapolice.com/faq.htm

Not 100% but there are some instances that require they keep their lights on. I assume it's true as much as anyone because if they are in the median or the shoulder at night I see their lights on. The sneakiest thing I have seen so far is a cop parked next to a junk yard.

lonestranger > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 21:46

2

We used to have these in B.C., Canada in the '90s-'00s or so:

That's the camera's flash on the tripod in front. The radar gun, camera, and computer are all inside, operated by a police officer.

Most people hated them, but I miss them. The province's whole fleet was made up of Chevy Astros & GMC Safaris, all dark colours, most with Dutch doors like this:

On an otherwise barren highway shoulder, they stood out like sore thumbs. See an Astro, slow down, and then speed back up with the knowledge that there won't be an other speed enforcement anywhere in the area.

zyodei > OG Glip Glop 05/21/2014 at 21:52

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Because people recognize that if all laws were enforced with 100% efficiency society would collapse overnight.

fintail > KTMAngryDragon 05/21/2014 at 22:00

1

That doesn't bode well. Once well connected/corrupt businessmen become involved with untouchable noose-worthy local politicos and "authorities", things will only get worse. And those who answer to nobody will continue to fool the ignorant with slogans like "Roadssafer". Those salaries/pensions/equipment budgets don't pay themselves.

Britain needs some kind of backlash more than Murica - and that's saying something.

mcseanerson > OG Glip Glop 05/21/2014 at 22:01

1

Yeah that was kinda the deal here too. I never got caught by any of the ones here though. My only red light ticket was in Columbus and it was hilarious to watch and well worth $125. I start playing the video expecting to see me running the yellow or nearly stopping or making a right on red or something stupid.

But No, I didn't charge through at 20 over or barely miss the light. The video starts up and I see a green light. Then it turns yellow. No where in sight, maybe they got the wrong car. The light turns red, nothing. The suspense is killing me. about ten seconds after the light turns red I see my car. Am I driving like a mad man in a fit of road rage or trying to escape Johnny Law? Nope. I mosey on through at 35 MPH, the speed limit for the road I was on, like I didn't even know it was an intersection or that there were lights. I had been working late shifts and getting up at 6am to take the wife to school. I had been driving around like a zombie. Don't drive without sleep kids.

POD > DjWang 05/21/2014 at 22:38

1

This looks like what they used to use in Sherwood Park AB. Fortunately Strathcona County no longer uses mobile photo radar enforcement.

http://www.strathcona.ca/departments/rc…

Intrepidman > KnowsAboutCars 05/21/2014 at 22:52

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You win the award for the,

Most Gratuitous Use of the Word 'Belgium' in a Serious Screenplay

harmonyav > KnowsAboutCars 05/22/2014 at 00:27

1

Police here in Upper Allen Township, PA often use their own personal cars disguised as breakdowns to stage elaborate and successful speed traps. They'll have 20-25 cars an hour pulled over with cops awaiting them on upcoming approach ramps.

greyrider245 > KnowsAboutCars 05/22/2014 at 00:58

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a vw bus.. the vehicle of choice for libyan terrorists

KAG25 > KnowsAboutCars 05/22/2014 at 01:10

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WOW, that is serious. I remember in Phoenix they just had 80's mini vans with dark tint and the sliding door open.

KAG25 > lonestranger 05/22/2014 at 01:11

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Same thing they had in Phoenix

KAG25 > 550F2 05/22/2014 at 01:12

1

Yeah, you need a radar jammer

Buick Mackane > 550F2 05/22/2014 at 03:46

1

Are these cameras detectable by a radar detector? Do they emit some sort of radar signal to measure speed?

Dead_Elvis, Inc. > KnowsAboutCars 05/22/2014 at 04:00

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But it's the unimaginably rare splitwindow breadloaf Type 2! A freakin' unicorn, man!

Sector38 > OG Glip Glop 05/22/2014 at 04:54

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Because speed cameras stop one thing: Speeding. A police cruiser on the other hand can stop crap driving, drunk driving etc etc and if they catch you a small amount over the limit can make a judgement call and let you go.

Cameras are just money making machines, they cause people to jam on the brakes rather then drive at a consistent speed (hello shock wave jams) and do nothing against a drunk weaving across the road.

Average cameras are even worse. Long streches of uk motorway have these now and when the limit is dropped to 50 you get people doing 50, across all 3 lanes, in super close formation (way too close for 50). Then someone thinks they might have gone a bit over so slows up a bit and its a major accident because everyone is driving in formations that the Red Arrows would call stupid. Only good thing about them is they are front on only so nothing for motorbikes so when its 50 mph because of workers in the road (when they are not working) and people are not spread across all three lanes (which is illegal) then it is like a dedicated bike lane.

DjWang > POD 05/22/2014 at 09:07

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That is exactly where these pictures are from. Glad to hear they axed it!

danjlove > Bueller 05/22/2014 at 10:44

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I'm an ACVW guy and that was my first thought.

super-dt > mcseanerson 05/22/2014 at 11:32

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Can you cite the legal requirement please!

Belgiandude > KnowsAboutCars 05/22/2014 at 13:01

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I Live in belgium (the name sort of gives it away) and this is a list of (almoust) al of the anonymous/sneaky speed camera cars we have to look out for over here. click the license plate numbers for the pics

http://www.flitsservice.be/cm_php/kenteke…

Ninety-9 > OG Glip Glop 05/23/2014 at 00:56

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"remove this thing so you don't know when we are breaking the law"

Well, two things. First the obvious: Why protest? Well, both of my answers will come down to this: People are hypocrites who break the law but shame others who break the law. Yourself included. Red light cameras are a great example because in every town I've ever heard of, red light cameras typically don't stick around very long. I could go into more detail about how red light cameras are a scam that makes the intersection LESS safe, but I'll save it for another day. But to answer your question, it's the people who begged for the city to put them in who are the same people who beg the city to take them out. Your crusade is only good until you get caught in your own trap. It's a cruel realization that you're not the saint you think you are.

Second, is less obvious to "People Like You" (sorry to put you under the bus). Breaking the speed limit, AKA BREAKING DA LAWWWWWWW, really isn't the worst or most dangerous thing in the world, certainly not as dangerous as we make it out to be, and certainly not dangerous enough to justify a $175 fine for going 3mph over the limit. I've lived in areas where cops have better things to do, and they only really have to step in and do their job if you are going over a certain threshold of the limit. They are understanding that on a busy day, a 45MPH speed zone can safely average 55MPH without fiery death. I've also lived in areas where the cops have nothing better to do than issue certain taxation to every car they can nab in an 8-hour work day.

The speed limit is a curious thing, because the vast majority of people break it on a regular basis. In fact the word LIMIT has a certain degree of intolerance to it, if you really think of it. By definition, you should be going UNDER the limit, but that's not really advisable, aside from making yourself a target of road rage by driving even 1MPH below the posted limit, the idea is that you could really be moving ANY speed under what is posted and you wouldn't be breaking the law (unless a minimum speed is posted). Traffic moves best when people are generally going the same speed and at a speed that feels natural for the conditions, in which case, you will find that as a group, traffic will actually choose to naturally break the speed limit by around 10% above what is posted. Speed cameras aren't lenient like a cop can be, they're revenue generators.

I think we do need to clear one thing up: What's considered "Law" should be taken with a grain of salt. People who break minor laws are not bad or unsafe people, in fact, there's a term to describe people who regularly break the law without even realizing it: EVERYONE! Driving a few miles over the speed limit does not make you a bad driver, nor does driving under the speed limit make you a safer driver. In fact, I usually find just the opposite in drivers. Typically, the slower, more cautious drivers, are the ones who you wonder how they make it home in one piece.

Ninety-9 > Buick Mackane 05/23/2014 at 01:22

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Short answer, yes, they most likely work on a band that a radar detector will pick up.

Long answer, I don't know. Luckily, I live in a state where automated citations won't stand up in court (except as a local nuisance). That doesn't mean we don't have a lot of signs and portable devices that will display "Your Speed" or as I like to call it "High Score."

The signs and devices that I have seen operate on K band radar, while a lot of the local 5-0's use KA band or Laser. They set off my radar detector like a bad infection. While laser is a more precise weapon, these devices are typically handheld and have to be aimed with precision, it's like a sniper rifle. Radar is more "Shotgun" or "Spray and Pray", it's preferred for mounting in patrol cars or on speed signs because they have a broad area of sight. Anything that comes in front of it will be picked up, no aiming required. It also is less accurate, so if there are multiple cars traveling down a busy road, it's difficult to clearly identify which of the cars is the one you're getting a measurement on. Radars typically filter out all but the fastest speed it's picking up, and it's up to the HUMAN cop to visually make the connection.

If you want to be safe, Radar detector + laser jammer. From a civilian standpoint, Radar signals are easy to detect in advance but very difficult to jam. Laser signals are impossible to detect in advance but can be jammed.

divbyzero > KnowsAboutCars 05/23/2014 at 13:13

1

I didn't know they made Isettas that big...