Saturday, December 19, 2009

Radar Detectors, legal or illegal ?



I've been asked this many times by many North American Drivers working for many different companies, I've also heard of drivers getting tickets in many different ways.

Did you know for instance that cop cars both in USA and Canada have radar detector detectors and they run simultaneously with their speed detection systems which are left running most of the time, these systems are both front and rear facing.

Did you also know that some weigh stations have these same detector detectors and apparently they love finding trucks with detectors fitted because it gives them the opportunity to hit their favorite button ( the one that gives you a red light) and they can invite you in and see how neat your hand writing is on your logbook.

Did you know the fines for illegally using a radar detector can run into hundreds of dollars and put a lovely little write up on your abstract and company's Carrier Profile.

U.S. Federal law prohibits the use of radar detectors and laser jammers in commercial vehicles crossing state 

lines and weighing over 10,000 pounds. Radar detectors and laser jammers are also illegal to use on any U.S. military base. And guess what ? its the same in Canada.

Today's Top Tip: Do not use a radar speed detector in your commercial vehicle, you will get caught, you will get into trouble, and it will be expensive.

Anyway you shouldn't need one because you never speed in your truck, right?

Okay that's trucks taken care of, so what about cars ????

You can use a radar detector in any State in USA apart from Virginia and Washington DC. In Canada you can use a radar detector in BC, Alberta & Saskatchewan. Everywhere else in Canada it is illegal

2 comments:

  1. Bull shit. I phoned various scales in canada and they are LEGAL in commercial trucks in BC, AB, and SK. But illegal everywhere else in the country. And the US as well.

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  2. Thank you for the comment anonymous. I'm not here to enter into any arguments and I only offer advice once so I wish you well with your radar detector. Please let us know how you get on with it (and the law)

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