Should Radar Detectors be Illegal?
Posted: Friday, August 21, 2009
by Ken McCreless
RMS1437
Greetings Fellow Travelers ...
So, there I am, making my trip to the Valley. I am cruising along at 70 mph in the left lane of 281 south, wondering when did I put decals on my back window, and why did I put the word "PeterBilt" on backwards?
Now, I do have plans to put a Harley-Davidson sticker back there, but "tliBreteP?"
Of course what's happening is I am being tailgated by yet another semi. Sometimes it's an SUV or even a sedan of various makes and models. And, as what usually happens, I stand my ground until the offending party goes around me.
Many times what happens is they go around me and flash into my lane close enough to knock a couple of bugs off my front grill then speed on- unless they see the popo.
Now, they may see the DPS trooper car or a county sheriff car squatting in the turn-around lane- or ...
Their little black box mounted in a strategic position sounds off, screeching a vulgar sound that tells them that radar waves are ahead. These radar waves are being emitted by the law in hopes of smacking down speeders and uncovering other unlawful deeds via the automotive equivalent of a full rectal exam.
Then the brake lights come on, the halo appears over the car, and the state bear is thwarted. As soon as the threat of a ticket goes away the lead returns to the foot and excessive speed is resumed.
After some research I have found that radar detectors are LEGAL in most states. I was very surprised to learn that laser JAMMERS are not only available, but are legal in some states, including Texas. Very surprising. (source- 1st radar detectors dot com)
Personally, I feel that drivers do not have the right to endanger myself or my family in any manner. I feel that truck drivers need to keep in mind the dangerous nature of so many tons of weight flying down the road and maintain a safe speed accordingly.
So, in that vein, any device that helps someone put me and mine at risk needs to be illegal. Period.
Everyone has rights but no one has the right to endanger others, especially for something as stupid and senseless as speeding.
So, there I am, making my trip to the Valley. I am cruising along at 70 mph in the left lane of 281 south, wondering when did I put decals on my back window, and why did I put the word "PeterBilt" on backwards?
Now, I do have plans to put a Harley-Davidson sticker back there, but "tliBreteP?"
Many times what happens is they go around me and flash into my lane close enough to knock a couple of bugs off my front grill then speed on- unless they see the popo.
Now, they may see the DPS trooper car or a county sheriff car squatting in the turn-around lane- or ...
Their little black box mounted in a strategic position sounds off, screeching a vulgar sound that tells them that radar waves are ahead. These radar waves are being emitted by the law in hopes of smacking down speeders and uncovering other unlawful deeds via the automotive equivalent of a full rectal exam.
Then the brake lights come on, the halo appears over the car, and the state bear is thwarted. As soon as the threat of a ticket goes away the lead returns to the foot and excessive speed is resumed.
After some research I have found that radar detectors are LEGAL in most states. I was very surprised to learn that laser JAMMERS are not only available, but are legal in some states, including Texas. Very surprising. (source- 1st radar detectors dot com)
Personally, I feel that drivers do not have the right to endanger myself or my family in any manner. I feel that truck drivers need to keep in mind the dangerous nature of so many tons of weight flying down the road and maintain a safe speed accordingly.
So, in that vein, any device that helps someone put me and mine at risk needs to be illegal. Period.
Everyone has rights but no one has the right to endanger others, especially for something as stupid and senseless as speeding.
Ken McCreless is just a guy who loves to write, and was born to do so. He is a freelance writer with several projects ongoing, including books and magazines. A huge fan of both irony and history, Ken has dedicated his life and his writing to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
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More commentsYou had the reader (me) chuckling and got your point across very well! I agree as I have done some emergency room nursing in my career as an RN - vehicle accidents are not a pretty sight. MarijoI have logged many hours in a Level III Trauma ED myself. It's not very encouraging, is it?Thank you, Marijo.
Hey Bro, I'm with you - driving through Ca this past few days has been crazy. I don't remember people speeding as the norm when I lived in CA 15 years ago. I do have to admit, my hubby has a radar detector in his truck, and it has been nice because it warms of accidents ahead and tells you when emergency vehicles are coming close. My hubby uses it to slow down when he hears it go off. Sigh. Good article, you even made me laugh :-)Hi Sis.I know emergency vehicles are close when the lights and sirens are brighter and louder.How horrible it would be to kill someone because of speed. I know you worry, and that your prayer cloth is likely frayed. But, all we can do is all we can do, right?Thanks, T.I never considered that :-) I don't want to give the impression Art puts anyone in danger, he never drives more than 6-7 miles over the speed limit. In CA that is considered way too slow and he gets flipped off and dirty looks quite often. Either way, yes, pray without ceasing :-)
I couldn't agree more Ken! I never understood how speeding is illegal, but radar detectors aren't.. .it is crazy! Thanks for sharing your passion! Sounds like it was an eventful drive!It's ALWAYS an eventful drive! Maybe there are a lot of NASCAR dreams out there?Thank you, Laura.
hi ken,i agree. my neighbor has one, and it always bothered me. if he was going to work, and i was going there, too, why should he be able to go faster just because he has a contraption that will allow him to endanger lives. AND, it was a christmas gift from his wife. hmmmm.....i know i wouldn't let my kids have one, and when i say that, i mean, they will always be my kids, no matter how old they are, and i'm not afraid to let them know it :)my sons are 6'2 and 6'3, and they know better than to mess with me :)it just seems wrong.the speed limit is set for a purpose, and taking into consideration the road, and what a safe speed would be, it's not just so cops can bust you.good article,my best to you,sueI passed an accident a couple of weeks ago where an SUV flipped a few times. It knocked huge chunks out of the roadway where it landed after each flip. I'm sure that driver felt confident about his/her driving skills as well, but the physics are what they are.Thank you so much for the support, Sue. I really appreciate it.
Heh, I agree.Better safe than sorry, I sometimes (rarely ever) say.I always almost never say that too!Thank you for the comment.
You make many good points on which I agree, but I think I enjoyed the humourous writing style in this article the most.Thank you so much, David. It certainly was not intended to be completely serious!
I agree Ken. Radar detectors are counter-productive. It is so frightening to witness careless driving, and upsetting to see them getting away with it. Great article!Thank you, Brianna.All we can do is try to keep ourselves safe.
Ken,You make a good point about the radar detectors but I couldn't get past the first line... man the left lane is for passing and faster traffic. If you stay over there, you disrupt the flow and cause people to pass on the right, creating all sorts of danger. I know... I missed the point. SteveNow Steve, I could understand your being upset if I was driving 60 in the left lane, but, 281 has only two lanes. The left lane is NOT a passing lane. Plus, should anyone be going faster than the posted 70 mph limit?Speeding is what's " creating all sorts of danger."There, now you got it!
Ken,It is amazing what maturity does for one. Born into a family of 'heavy footers,' my brothers and I have slowed down considerably in our later years and thankfully my dad at 86 is much slower. The danger lies in the unbelievable amount of traffic many of us need to negotiate every day and the number of idiots driving, texting, and cell phoning all at the same time. Or those reading papers or their computers while driving!Thanks for a good article,NancyYou are so right, Nancy. Distracted driving is the cause for a lot of "preventable" accidents. All we can do is try to expect the unexpected.Thank you, Nancy.
There is a Speed "LIMIT" for a reason. Going very fast equates to more deaths. If you disagree, then why not make the speed limitless? Your speedometer goes to 120mph. Why not go THAT fast? Going too slow also causes accidents. WITH impatient people! I do the speed limit or 5mph over. I DO NOT own a detector. I think it just says;"Screw everyone here, I am going as fast as I want. I do not care about killing you or your family. I am not a cop. My political views are very libertarian leaning. However, my actions should NOT put others at risk.
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