bsvensson

First of all I have an escort 8500 which have helped me out in several situations.

So this morning on my way to work, it went of as usual and I knew where the cop was sitting, slowed down and went the limit. Now the interesting thing right when I passed him he turn his lights on briefly, almost like was annoyed that I have a radar detector. It's not illegal down here in TX, but I was wondering if they can hear or detect a car which approached with a radar detector ?

Any thoughts to this ?

Plutoe

He is doing what his device is designed to do------determine your speed, however as you know there are many different technologies available to meet that objective.

Your device just senses the presence of(regulated) frequencies his device is broadcasting on

The reason he doesn't catch you is that he is foolish and leaving his device "always on" and therefore your sensor detects his broadcast.

Depending on the terrain and amount of traffic, he could "flash" or selectively broadcast, that way he would know your speed just as your sensor detects his broadcast-----therefore you would be toast!! slow down!!

PS: Maybe MB has plans to incorporate stelth technology into there cars----nice option!!

bsvensson

Understood, just to clarify I probably went 65 in a 60 just so you don't get the wrong impression.

It still does not explain him briefly turning on his lights ?

malahhaor

I always go the limit if I'm the only one on the road. Because if there are no other cars for his radar to bounce off of your radar detector will tell you when it bonuses off you and that's too late.
Maybe he turned his lights on instinctively and then realized you're not speeding.

bsvensson

I completely agree in regards to traffic. It surprised me that he was even using the radar and not the laser they normally do that in my area.

On another note they have started to use unmarked Camaro SS white and they are parked over hills with their hazardous lights on which makes them look like a car in trouble and people does not give them 2 cents till they turn on their lights.

Mike_W

My guess, and of course it can be no more than a guess by anyone but the cop who flashed you, was he was bored, saw you had a high end car, and flashed his lights as a "deterrence". Technology is available to the police to detect radar detectors, but if detectors are legal in your area, there would be little reason for the police to spend money for them.
Mike

bsvensson

Mike that's a valid point. I have been pulled over having the radar detector before even though it's legal they are not happy of the use. Let's just say it's not likely to get a warning when using a radar detector!

otto6457

I live in Texas also and the cops here flash their lights as a warning that they caught you speeding......but it's not enough over the limit for them to bother coming after you. It's sort of a "I know you're speeding and I could write you a ticket...but you're a small fish so I'll wait for a bigger one".

I guess it's better than having them pull you over to warn you or write you a silly ticket for 2-3 mph over the limit.

leap

I was a police officer for nine years. All I can say about the above is this department sounds like they're well on their way to ruining their credibility with the public. Using hazard lights to sit in a dangerous area, or look like they're broken down? That's unacceptable. Do these guys ever think about the fact that members of the public are jurors??

Not only would I never do that, I usually gave 13-15 mph over before a traffic stop.

leap

[QUOTE=otto6457;5271362]I live in Texas also and the cops here flash their lights as a warning that they caught you speeding......but it's not enough over the limit for them to bother coming after you. It's sort of a "I know you're speeding and I could write you a ticket...but you're a small fish so I'll wait for a bigger one".

I guess it's better than having them pull you over to warn you or write you a silly ticket for 2-3 mph over the limit.[/QUOT

If you get pulled, see if you can stash the detector BEFORE he sees it. Years ago, I pulled a car for around 80 in a 55. As I stood at the window, the driver had the thing on the windshield bleeping like crazy. (I saw the detector, and left my radar on to see what the guy would do when I walked up.)

Needless to say, he got a ticket. I wasn't big into tickets, but yes, if you're pulled, and have one in plain site, you're getting a ticket. Cops see it as a form of "disrespect" having a radar detector.

I have a Valentine1 (lol), and if I'm the lead car, there's no way around the instant on radar. As he's turning around, or pulling onto the highway, I'll ALWAYS unplug it, and stash it in the console.

And sadly, I'm on my second ticket in my E500.Even being a former officer doesn't help when I'm in a Mercedes...

leap

2-3mph is very sad. They're either looking for dui's or drug interdiction. Pulling people for 2-3mph is a chicken sh#t tactic that when goes to court, upsets judges, and jurors. Once a department loses their credibility, they're screwed. These guys are their own worst enemies these days doing stuff like that.

And yes, I used to flash the lightbar when sitting stationary at cars going 10-11 mph over. That seemed effective as a unit 50 miles away from me would observe the car I warned with the lightbar, driving the speed limit. Now if they started speeding again

Heatwave

It explains everything: the cop cut you a bit of slack. His job is to catch drivers who are speeding ... but he doesn't have to catch every driver who is speeding. Accept it as an act of Grace ... you received something you didn't deserve.

vettdvr

Correct. He was letting you know, he let you go!. My daughter and husband were stopped in TX doing 71 in a 70 in a rental car. They got a warning ticket. 5 mph over would get you busted for sure.

Heatwave

Speaking of speeding through Texas ... anything to hurry it up just to get it over with ... earlier this year wife and I were blasting down I35-S somewhere south of Waco. I think the speed limit might have been 70, but I was doing considerably more than that ... probably just a notch below 80. As we approached an overpass, I noticed a trooper "taking pictures" atop the overpass. Just before we passed under the overpass, the trooper's blue lights came on and he started rolling. I knew instantly that he probably had me, even though I was but one of many rolling at about the same speed in the wad of traffic we were in. Sure 'nuff ... he pulled right onto my rear bumper. I had slowed to a stately 70 by then.

I rolled down all the windows while he was radioing-in his location and running my tag ... knew this one was gonna be expensive. Looking in my mirrors as he walked up, I saw a tall, rail thin trooper, uniform immaculately squared away, perfect gig line, mirror-shined boots, hat perfectly "just so" atop his head. I told my wife: "This may be rough ... he looks like a former Marine."

Before saying anything, he checked my safety inspection sticker on the lower driver's side of the windshield ... my Navy base pass and rank insignia are right below the inspection sticker. First words outta his mouth: "Good afternoon, Captain. I was a Fleet Marine ...." He asked me about my Navy career and made small talk while punching buttons on a hand-held device. I was thinking: "Oh man ... he's gonna settle the score against every officer he ever encountered, but he is sure is going to be polite about it."

Then the printed ticket rolled out of his gadget ... looked like a pretty long slip of paper to me ... must be charged with everything from treason to leash-law violations. But ... God bless the Corps ... it was a warning.

Semper Fi, Mack. Semper Fi to Marines everywhere. God bless the Corps.

leap

Lol heat wave! Love it! Prior service USMC Mustang (Enlisted, then Officer after college) here. 0311, 0331 1990-1994, then pinned with brown bars in 99.

For some reason, I NEVER get a prior service member, now law enforcement pulling me over. I've got an Eagle, Globe and Anchor in my back window shelf, and even have my medically retired badge and I'd case in my console. Guess next Time I go to Ohio I'll stay on cruise control at the speed limit, as the female Trooper there didn't give two hoots about a former police officer, nor was she prior service military.

I didn't do much with tickets when I did the job, but can assure you it was always nice to pull the driver who had a good attitude. With that, there was a 75% chance they'd go away with a warning. Heck, I used to pull the mom and pop typical going to the beach vehicle over and let the kids step out on the passenger side, then mess with the lights, siren, etc., even if Dad got a ticket, the kids were elated to check out a State Police cruiser, and Dad seeing how happy they were never had a problem signing the bottom line.

Last, get a Valentine1.

Heatwave

I've spent most of my adult life with and around Navy and Marine Corps service members. And I've long thought: this nation doesn't deserve the Marine Corps it has ... where did we get these superb people? I'm mighty thankful we have them.

vettdvr

This is true of ALL who wear the uniform and go in harm's way. "The Nation owes and Unpayable debt", to these people!. I salute, respect and thank all in uniform.