Are radar detectors worth it?

[benjamming]

I don't believe there is a moral obligation to obey highway speed limits.

The way I understand it, insurance companies work on correlations. I am hard pressed to think of a more corrupt & unethical industry.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
If you don't likle the law, do something to change it, but don't be lawless.

Now THIS is a good argument. I'm not sure if I agree, but it makes sense and I respect it highly.

Is this your main point? I have problems with your other ones (safety, component wear, etc.), but if this is the crux of what you're saying then I'm happy to agree with you.

 

[firemachine69]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
I just realized I can't think of anyone who claims to be a good driver but isn't. I'm sure I've met someone like that, but I can't recall. All the bad/mediocre drivers I can think of are aware of and honest about it.

On the other hand, I've met PLENTY of people willing to criticize OTHERS for being bad drivers. Does that count?

My ex is one of those "I think I'm good, but in reality, I'm terrible..."

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr

Insurance companies raise the liability rates on people with a history of speeding tickets and accidents. This is done based on statistical analysis. Speeding habits increase the financial liability of the insurer. This is why those with good underwriters usually ask the Radar detector ownership question.


Really?
One of my friends used to be a representative in the Kentucky legislature. He served on an insurance subcommittee and repeatedly asked several insurance companies to produce proof that 1-3 speeding tickets alone increased the loss exposure of an underwriter. No proof was forthcoming.
The insurance companies can get away with increasing rates on drivers who get speeding tickets because speeding is a "crime". However, they have been slapped down by most all state insurance commissioners when they try the same shtick with detectors because they cannot prove that detector usage affects their loss exposure. Insurance companies hate detectors because it keeps them from raking in additional profits from increased rates on drivers with a couple of speeding tickets.
(Required Disclosure: I used to own a 35% interest in an independent insurance agency and I currently work in the judicial system)

 

[ALS]

Even though I have gotten older and now into getting better fuel mileage I still use my V1 on long trips. For gas mileage I limit my top speed to 65 mph even on 70 mph roads. I most cases I'm running the speed limit in 65 mph and below speed zones.

When I run to Fl. several times a year I have to have my V1 with me for Rt 19 through Summersville WV. and Rt 301 from Baldwin Fl. through Ocala Fl.

One community on 301 has now placed the 45 mph speed sign two feet behind a small tree on the side of the road. 1/2 mile up the road is the local police officer looking for revenue enhancement. Saw that little trick two weeks ago when I was coming through the town. For someone like me who drives that road so much I know where all the speed zones are, for someone not familiar with the area they will get nailed if they are not paying very close attention.

Because I run a little slower than normal I try to make up some time in the 55-60 mph zones running 65 mph on the interstate thus the need for the V1. Five over on Rt 19 in WV. and on 301 in Fl. WILL get you a nice pink ticket.

 

[brianl703]

I've noticed that, here in Virginia, speed limits which are set by the state are often a bit more realistic than ones set by the local government. (Outside of independent cities, towns, and a few counties, all streets in the state are maintained by the state).

 

[javacontour]

I've waited to weigh in, but here I am, look out.

20 years ago, I was a 20+ over the limit, get out the radar detector, get me a rabbit and go. I got tickets, I paid tickets, I thought I was the best driver on the planet.

Today, I have kids in the car a lot, or my wife or both, and I see more than I saw back then.

Back then, I just saw highway. Today I see that in many places there are blind entrances, so while it looks like it's safe for 55, traveling at 35 gives more time to react if someone is leaving that blind entrance to the highway.

I have no illusions regarding changing many people's behavior.

However, in MOST cases, the speed limits are set due to some traffic concern. I don't deny that there are speed traps and revenue generation schemes, as we've had such in the St Louis metro Area (St Johns, MO, IIRC.)

So I tend to trust the guys who've set the limits on the roads, because frankly they have a lot more training on how to set the limits than I've had (which is none!)

So my personal policy has been to stash the radar detector. I don't think I've used mine in 3 or 4 years now. I tend to drive the limit in town, where others can freely enter or leave the road, and leave plenty of space between me and the car in front of me. I find that I personally am more relaxed, compared to how I drove even 6 or 7 years ago.

On the highway or interstate, I'm usually no more than 10MPH over the limit, and often I'm at the limit or 5 over.

Here is the analysis for me. For round numbers, let's say the limit is 60. If I have 300 miles to travel, 60MPH will take me 5 hours. At 80 MPH, it will take me 3:45, if I did the math in my head correctly. (3 hours will be 240 so the other 60 is 60/80, which is 45 minutes...)

So if I'm looking at 70 MPH, where I probably won't get noticed by the police, now we are looking at over 4 hours. More math in the head, 4 hours x 70 MPH = 280 miles, the remaining 20 miles will take just over 18 minutes, so let's say 4:18.

Frankly, my peace of mind is worth the extra 33 or so minutes of needed traveling at 10 over, vs 20 over.

I might save that 33 minutes, but if I'm so worked up, what good did I do? How does that impact my relationship with my family? If I'm keyed up, was the cost of that 33 minutes really worth it.

For me, it's not.

For others, it may. I'm not in any way saying my way is the RIGHT way. This is simply the conclusion where I've arrived at this point in my life. My answer may change in the future. If you find it useful, employ it. If not, then I wish you well in whatever you decide works for you.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
. . . The highway is not a timemachine.


No, it's not. An equally obvious proposition would be that you simply can't escape the math. I save 30 min on my common 200 mile drives by running about 10 over. Were I driving 400 miles, I'd save a whole hour. If you ASSUME that a reasonable day's drive is ~600-700 miles, you'll be saving more than an hour and a half by driving ten over.

If we're doing the same long-range trip, when you drag your tired butt into the motel parking lot, my wife and I will have had dinner, drinks (if any), and we'll be half-way through the movie we're watching.

Yes, I will drive ten over, and yes, the V1 is very much worth it.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

Your wife must have a better bladder than my wife

When I used to speed my wifes bathroom breaks would nullify my gains.

 

[Dualie]

Lately here in CA I have been more worried about differential speeds.

I weigh on both sides of the fence. I own and drive big trucks. Even 120,000Lb 14' wide loads.

A 70MPH speed limit on I-5 through the central valley or I-10, I-15, and I-40 through the desert is ridiculous. Theres no reason why a prudent driver shouldn't be allowed 80 MPH.

Limiting Heavy trucks 3+ axles to 55 MPH in California is more dangerous than anything. Its not uncommon to have 40+ mph differential speeds on the major interstates in California. There have been many times when I have looked in my mirrors and seen a car WAY WAY off in the distance only to have them right at my door handle within 3 seconds.

if you want to set a speed limit set it for everyone or keep them separate.


Don't even get me started with two rate cutting fleet spec trucks trying to pass each other both governed to 63mph max.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
Your wife must have a better bladder than my wife

When I used to speed my wifes bathroom breaks would nullify my gains.


Hey, the longer you're on the road, the more time there is for her kidneys to work their magic. . .

 

[eljefino]

I have to imagine insurance companies give teaser rates for the same reason banks offer free checking.

Both are sitting like a venus fly trap, waiting for the naive to make their moves. With banks it's bounced checks, out-of-network ATMs, etc.

Arguably, the zero ticket rate of ~$150/yr I have might be subsidized with hopes that I'll start paying $400 year after a ticket. Maybe their actuaries figure I'm a $300/year liability, by looking at what data they have (and never actually riding along with me or getting to know me.) In reality, I've never been in an at fault accident. Knock wood. Maybe I'm due one every 25 years?

I go without a detector. I pay attention looking for cops. I feel it keeps me paying attention for other obstacles as well. I don't even speed most of the time; it's just a highway game.

I save time on the highway with the 100-mile rule, we don't stop for lavatory, driver changes, fuel, or food until the trip odometer has added 100 miles. Then we try to do most of the list at one stop. Been passed by the same vehicles more than once; they must really drag out their off-the-road-time.

 

[Mustang2008Z]

In one word, YES..Buy a Quality Radar Detector. Protect yourself from rogue police, and get a unit that notifies you about ambulances and fire trucks.

As time goes on, get equipment that allows you to fight every ticket given to you that was incorrect, and keep a copy of any electronic information for yourself, and to send a copy to your local office of the Department of Justice, or send a copy to Washington, DC; maybe if enough citizens show proof of police misbehavior there can be prosecutions, and the police will learn that they are "NOT THE LAW." Put more rogue police in jail, and see how fast the system changes.

 

[Mustang2008Z]

Please know there may not be any "False Alarms" because the states since the 55 mph law was in effect, have put radar units in place throughout the highways, so that they can show the U.S. Government that motorists are complying with the speed limits. Those units are still in place, and that is how most police start to target specific areas for speed traps.

 

[Mustang2008Z]

Here in Texas, out in West Texas, the speed limits were changed from 70 to 80 miles per hour, in certain places, because the motorists were running at that speed, so the lawmakers, finally, caught up with common sense motorists.

 

[qship1996]

I have regularly used a detector for the last 31 years- from the original "Escort" to the smaller "Passport" to being one of the first on the long waiting list for the original "Valentine One"- have been using the Valentine for the last 16-17 years, updated many times to current specs- it is wonderful, and saved me tons of times. I have deactivated X band since police in almost every area have stopped using x band, and the only things left using X band are some old automatic door openers and security m otion sensors at commercial centers- the unfortunate new false alarm trigger is laser alerts due to Infiniti using laser guided cruise control on their newer cars and SUV models- and some other car makers using K band radar for their cruise control and object detection.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

A downloadable vehicle data recorder and obeying the law still works best for me.

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

I use a detecter a lot when taking the back way up the hinderland from Southern Nevada to Lake Tahoe. Long open roads just begging for higher speeds. NHP used to only enforce the basic speed limits out there, but the siren song of increased revenue has triumphed, and they will write you up for 78MPH in the middle of nowhere.

One thing I've noticed is the NHP have improved their tactics. They have gone from transmitting 24/7 to staying quiet and only triggering the radar when you are in range.

 

[SteveSRT8]

that's so right. Here in FL the properly trained LEO's will hit you with instant-on Ka band and it's too late unless you own an effective jammer.

 

[BrianWC]

I/O Ka can be detected if you are in traffic and the cop hits someone else before you. As for jamming, active radar jamming is illegal per the FCC. Rocky Mountain Radar pretends to sell a "passive jammer" that is actually an incredibly ineffective active jammer that only blocks very old versions of X band radar at close distances.