All About Radar Detectors
These small driving accessories have become an increasingly popular addition to vehicles over the past several years. However, most drivers in Pennsylvania (or those who’ve recently moved to the state) still don’t know how these devices function. So, what is a radar detector? It’s a small device usually attached to your dashboard or windshield that’s designed to detect speed traps created by law enforcement. Drivers use these devices to avoid unnecessary speeding tickets. Essentially , radar detectors are made to detect two particular frequencies that certain police radar guns produce. When and if the radar gun falls into the detection field, your radar detector will notify you by sounding an alarm or flashing a notification light on the device. Essentially, radar detectors are used to mark the presence of speed traps and if or when law enforcement attempts to clock your speed as you drive. While the technology of speed-measuring is always evolving, radar detectors continue to be one of the more reliable tracking devices available to motorists.
Radar Detectors and the Law in Pennsylvania
The legality of radar detectors can vary from state to state, and Pennsylvania has its own unique stipulations. In 1987, Pennsylvania passed a bill that banned the use of radar detectors. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Radar detectors may be used if the vehicle is imported and not made available for purchase in the United States. This means that drivers who own a "grey market" vehicle can keep and use their radar detectors.
Drivers can also keep radar detectors if they possess a valid permit issued by the Department of Transportation. Drivers are eligible for this type of permit if they owned a radar detector before the law passed in 1987. This way, Pennsylvania does not prohibit the manufacture or sale of radar detectors, but it does limit the use of radar detectors to those who have been using them since before Pennsylvania’s law was enacted.
In terms of other states, Pennsylvania actually takes a more permissive stance than other states. For example, Virginia is the only state in which radar detectors are entirely legal, while Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, New Jersey and New York ban radar detectors in all vehicles except semis. Illinois also prohibits the use of any form of radar jamming or remote scramming devices.
Penalties for Using a Radar Detector Where Illegal
If you are caught with a radar detector in your vehicle in Pennsylvania when they are prohibited, the consequences can be more severe than just a traffic citation. First, you can be issued a summary traffic citation and fined. These citations carry a fine of $25.00. Second, the District Attorney’s office may file a citation under the Criminal Code for possession of a prohibited offensive weapon, where the fine will be enhanced up to $10,000.00. While there have been very few cases of drivers being charged with possessing radar detectors where they are banned (in Montgomery County), it does happen, and you can guarantee, if the officers discover that the device they stop you for has been disabled, they will issue the citation under the Criminal Code. I always advise clients that the officers rarely miss an opportunity to add a penalty for violating the law.
Radar Detector Laws Around the United States
State radar detector laws are a patchwork of regulations that seem to change as quickly as police radar technology. Here in Pennsylvania, all radar detectors are legal for every motor vehicle. But that’s not the case everywhere across the U.S.
Vermont allows their use in passenger cars, but not in trucks or other vehicles requiring a Commercial Driver’s License. In New Jersey, trucks are not allowed to have radar detectors, taxi cabs can’t have radar detectors and police are not allowed to use them in their vehicles.
In California, Nevada and Washington , taxis and limousines can’t use radar detectors. But private citizen drivers can use them if they’re in passenger cars. Federal government vehicles are not allowed to have them, in Arizona they are permitted for all vehicles. And, in six states, including Virginia, they’re illegal for anyone.
Military bases also have radar detector regulations that apply to civilian drivers. You should check with the federal base at which you plan to be stationed or visit, although most of them do not allow radar detectors.
If you make sure your radar detector laws are compliant with the state in which you are driving, you can confidently keep your radar detector on and functioning.
Advice for Drivers Who Want to Use Radar Detectors
If you are considering whether to purchase and use a radar detector, or are looking for tips on best practices, here are some suggestions to keep in mind. First and foremost, be aware that even though the PA Vehicle Code regulations in Part II regarding the use, distribution and manufacture of radar detectors have not been revised since 1971, traffic enforcement practices and the types of radar/cameras utilized to enforce the law are subject to rapid change. Be very careful that any radar detector you are considering for use will adequately detect the type of signal(s) you are likely to encounter. For example, some radar detector models may be better at detecting K-band radar, while other models might detect Ka-band signals more reliably. Other than simply making sure that your radar detector is able to detect a signal, as opposed to simply dismissing it as "false" when in fact it is not (which can happen if your radar detector is not properly calibrated), make sure that your radar detector is always working properly . This means that you should not only be sure that all features and functions work properly, but you should also make certain that your radar detector is updated. Wireless updates, which some models employ, can be costly, but worth the investment if your model is otherwise reliable. If your model is not wireless update capable, consider checking for software updates periodically from the manufacturer, especially if you receive notice from the manufacturer or a third party that firmware updates are available. Also, be aware of your surroundings. A radar detector can give false alerts and warn about signals that are not being transmitted toward you (and, thus, do not affect your speed). Also, too many alerts given too frequently can become distracting. There are ways to program alerts to avoid becoming distracted by these false readings, as well as from legitimate alerts that could otherwise distract you from the road.
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