Radar Detector Buying Guides

Are Radar Detectors Legal?

---

Radar detectors are legal for passenger vehicles throughout the United States with the exception of Virginia and Washington D.C., according to AAA. However, they are illegal for commercial vehicles everywhere.

The Virginia exception to the general rule against driving video cameras comes as no surprise, given that Donut Media and VinWiki have both explored the arcane laws, speed traps, and continual overreaches of law enforcement in that state.

You may be surprised to learn that laser scramblers are legal in the United States. Radar jammers, on the other hand, are not legal and can get you pulled over. It's important to be aware of the law when driving with either device.

Police officers may use the presence of a radar detector to infer that you're more likely to speed or have previous citations. However, radar detectors are perfectly legal to have and won't necessarily increase your troubles once you've been pulled over. If you have both a detector and a laser jammer, you're unlikely to be able to talk yourself out of that ticket.

Motorists should be aware that if they have too many devices attached to their windshield, they may be cited for obstructed view. With the radar detectors on this list, motorists can minimize the chances of getting pulled over.

---

Will Getting a Ticket Affect My Car Insurance?

---

Possibly. Allstate claims that automobile insurance premiums will generally go up after a bad driving record is revealed. When you ask for a car insurance quote, companies look at your driving record to determine your liability as a driver. This information is critical in order to set rates for potential customers.

The following factors will be considered with each ticket:

---

·         Your prior driving record
·         Whether the ticket was the first offense
·         Amount of time since your last moving violation
·         How many miles per hour you were going over the speed limit
·         The location where the violation occurred

---

The more frequent and serious the violation, the higher the risk you are for increased costs and, in some cases, loss of coverage. Given this information, as well as the included cost of the violation, even the relatively high price tag on our chosen radar detectors can easily save you money in the long run.

---

What Should I Do If I'm Pulled Over? What If I've Received a Ticket?

---

If you are pulled over by a police car, stop as soon as possible and safely park both cars on the side of the road. Police cars are emergency vehicles, so if they have lights and sirens going, it is the law for you to move over. Continuing as though you may not be the target can itself be a violation and can complicate matters when it comes to understanding if you've broken the law.

For both your safety and the safety of the officer, the ALCU and Nolo have a few tips for initiating the interaction:

1.    Turn off the car and put on your hazard lights
2.    If it's dark, turn on a light inside the car and roll the window at least partway
3.    Put your hands on the steering wheel so the officer can see you've stopped moving before getting out of the cruiser
4.    Be prepared to show license, registration, and proof of insurance - if you need to go into a glove box to get these things, do it slowly or ask if you can take your hands off the wheel
5.    Don't be hostile - escalating the situation will virtually ensure a ticket and possibly lead to other violations
6.    Don't admit guilt - answer relevant questions and be respectful, but it's up to their judgment to cite you, so there's no reason to offer additional details
7.    Lying probably won't work - it's more effective to be calm and respectful than it is  to concoct a story; they've heard them all

If you receive a traffic ticket, there are two courses of action you can take. If the violation is minor and unlikely to have a significant impact on your automobile insurance, then you should pay the fine promptly. By doing so, you will avoid any penalties that may be associated with late payment.

There are several ways to approach fighting a traffic ticket. First, you can choose to represent yourself in court. However, this may not be the best course of action. A service like The Ticket Clinic or Off the Record can help keep your driving record clean and minimize the consequences of a traffic ticket. Local lawyers know the law and the courts in the area better than you do and it's not always as straightforward as making a good argument to the judge.

Radar detectors can help you save money by avoiding costly fines. However, like anything else, they come with a cost. So it's important to have a quality radar detector if you want to take full advantage of this money-saving technology.