Are Radar Detectors Legal? What to Know Before Your Buy
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Have you ever been zipping along the open highway only to realize that you don’t know the speed limit? Or what about finding yourself with a speeding ticket because you didn’t realize the limit had gone down somewhere along the way? By design, speeding traps often pop in areas where drivers least expect them — such as shortly after the speed limit changes or on long, downhill grades where you can pick up speed without noticing.
Unless you’ve been in these awkward situations, you might wonder if a radar detector is worth it or if it’s even legal to have one in your car. Read the guide below to discover what you should know before buying a radar detector.
What is a radar detector and how do they work?
The purpose of these car safety and convenience devices is to detect the presence of radar guns used by law enforcement to measure the speed of oncoming vehicles. But how do radar detectors work?
Most radar detectors pick up radar signal frequencies in a fashion that’s similar to the way radios pick up radio waves. If a signal is found, the radar detector will emit a noise that alerts you to the presence of radar. This indicator gives you a few seconds to slow down and avoid a ticket.
A detector can also provide you with information on the current speed limit and the presence of red-light cameras. And some devices pick up lasers and/or jam the incoming signal, making it impossible for the radar to get a reading on your vehicle. These kinds of jamming devices are more restricted.
Where are radar detectors illegal?
If you’re wondering where radar detectors are illegal, you might be surprised to learn that they are allowed in most of the United States, save for a few exceptions. For instance, radar detectors are not allowed in any commercial vehicles in the U.S. Additionally, they are not allowed in any vehicles in Virginia, Washington D.C., or on military bases. You should always check your local and state regulations, but you can likely use a radar detector if you are driving a passenger vehicle.
Radar detectors that jam signals, known as police radar jammers, are outlawed in many states, including California, Texas, Minnesota and Colorado, among others. Therefore, be sure you look up your state’s rules about this type of radar detector.
Also, because the placement interferes with a driver’s line-of-sight, many states do not allow devices to be suction-cupped to a car’s front windshield. Be sure to keep this in mind when deciding how you will securely attach a radar detector in your vehicle.
What signals will your detector pick up?
Since many forms of technology emit radio waves, like cell phone towers, other vehicles with satellite radio, and CB radios from big rigs, just to name a few, your radar detector can also pick up these signals. Not only can these extra alerts be annoying, but over time these false alarms might cause you to ignore your detector when it does pick up the type of radar you’re trying to avoid.
As a result, it’s helpful to choose a detector with smart learning abilities, such as an app that connects you to other drivers’ radar detection systems, a false alert location memory and a self-updating database of red-light cameras. Generally, cheaper models will create more false alarms, tempting you to turn off your notifications. On the other hand, models with digital signal processing (DSP), GPS capabilities and directional signaling all increase their ability to limit false alarms. Nowadays, law enforcement officers are also using lasers to detect vehicle speed on the road, so if you want full protection, you will need laser (or lidar) detection as well.
How will you install your radar detector?
Many radar detectors come with suction cups to attach to the windshield, but as mentioned above, this method might be illegal in your area. To be safe, do your research before you install or opt for a different setup. There are plenty of other designs made to stick to the dashboard instead, leaving your line of sight uninterrupted.
If your budget allows for a higher price point, you can have your detector custom installed behind your front grill with an internal alert system for inside the car, such as on or near your rearview mirror. If you go this route, you will probably want to hire a professional to do the radar detector installation.
This kind of installation might be the best choice for certain luxury vehicles that have windshield components (such as windshield heating or road noise muffling) that can interfere with radar readings. But you may still be able to install your device inside those vehicles because windshields often offer an untreated area so that you can install toll passes or other car electronics and GPS devices.