Here's the story by John Neff of Autoblog:

Thanks to Florida State Senator Steve Oelrich, the Sunshine State could become the second state in the union to ban the use of radar detectors by motorists. Oelrich proposed the bill to the state legistature on Wednesday, which would make the use of radar detectors in the state a secondary traffic infaction punishable by a ticket if the offending motorist were pulled over for another offense.

The arguments against radar detectors are well documented, the most obvious being that users believe they can speed at will and not get caught. Those who actually use radar detectors know that they are anything but a free pass to speed on public roads. In my own great state of Ohio, radar detectors are used to navigate the mine field of speed traps that plague our roadways.

Currently, Virginia and Washington D.C. are the only areas of the U.S. where the use of a radar detector in any vehicle is illegal. New York and Illinois have laws against radar detectors being used in commercial vehicles, while Minnesota and California have laws against hanging anything from a vehicle's windshield, which includes radar detectors.

http://www.sphanish.autoblog.com/200...dar-detectors/

By the way, the follow-up comments to the above link contain these gems about Florida State Senator Steve Oelrich, the idiot that started this initiative:

Here's an article where Oelrich's *high school* kid went to Cancun, got drunk, and busted his head. Yeah, good job on teaching your kid on being responsible. I suppose rational decisions are instilled in his genes.

http://www.sptimes.com/News/042201/W...raction_.shtml

Steve Oelrich just got elected to the senate. He is the former sheriff of Alachua County, FL which includes the town of Waldo -- home of the most infamous speed trap in the country. This guy has to come close to being the lowest life form on earth.

 

To <rep or senator's name>;

I'm writing to you with regard to Senate bill 2228, which would punish radar detector owners. I feel that existing laws concerning traffic enforcement are sufficient, and think this additional legislation in unwarranted. Contrary to what the bill's supporters are saying, use of a radar detector is not solely for the purpose of speeding. I have found that use of a radar detector provides additional visibility to law enforcement activities on the road, and provides for additional time to slow down and move over when encountering a law enforcement vehicle which is located on the shoulder of the road.

If this bill or a similar one comes before you for a vote, I would urge you to not support it, and instead support enforcement of the existing laws.

Thanks for your consideration, and representation,

<your name>

 

Being a native Floridian, that sucks.

Since I still have residency, I will make sure to sign any petition.

 

damn that sucks, i hope that it doesnt get passed.

 

Hope they never bring back emissions.

 

ever since i moved to florida it seems like the government has been picking on me.. slow speed limits, speed traps, FCAT, and now this lol

 

You're not kidding about this either. People have some of the worst judgement in Florida. Before on my road the speed limit used to be 45, but people would go as slow as 30. Now because of construction instead of going 35, people now go 20-25, i'm like WTF, if you cant drive get off the damn road.

 

Just when you start to go faster this comes along and i had just picked up a cobra recently..Hope this doesn't go through....

 

there's no way this is even gonna pass; but if it is, I heard the penalty is only if they pull you for another offense they will write you an extra ticket for the radar; time to get a concealed display. Also, radars do alert you of emergency vehicles and construction areas, so there's more incentive there

 

I don't think this will fly!

 

just get the escort that runs on batteries so u dont have that gay cord hanging from the middle of your window! and put it behind the rear view on the pass' side and learn the sounds so you dont have to see it..

 

I just purchased the direct wire kit for the Passport X50 and my radar is mounted next to the rear view mirror. The kit also comes with the smartplug module that can be mounted in an inconspicuous spot.

I wonder if the cops will be using radar detector detectors (RDD)? Do they really confiscate your radar in Virgina if they catch you using one?

 

Personally i think that they should have to reimburse people who purchased radars if they pass this law. It's not fair to the people to buy something thats legal one day, and then the next ban it, and screw that person out of 600 or so dollars for a good radar.

 

good point

 

This sux, why don't they pass a law ticketing slow drivers in the left lane instead of this one. Would make a lot more people happier and cut down on road rage.