IMPORTANT LASER QUESTION

[Hollywood2010]

if anyone has a laser jammer and is in the area, bring it by. i'd love to test it out, at no charge to you of course...lol.

[highmark]

It is an M27 Blinder. Of course nothing will protect you from stupidity.

[Mark H]

Great thread

[Camaro4Life2011]

Originally Posted by Hollywood2010

I am an officer in Ohio and almost exclusively use laser. Just remember if i stop you and see a radar/laser detector then you will get a ticket. The reason is, I consider it a game at that point. You try to see how fast you can go and not get caught, and I try to see how fast I can catch you going.

I haven't seen any Laser jammers that actually work (not sure about radar). I had a friend that bought two different "jamming" units and neither one really worked.

Best thing you can do is reduce the reflectivity of your car. Cars without front plates are harder to clock than cars with plates (but not impossible). Remember your headlights, windshield, and any flat surface will reflect the laser back. Dirty cars are harder to track than clean. Also for some reason light colored metalic cars reflect better than dark cars. Cloth bra's do cut way down on the range of the laser.

So for us Camaro owners unfortunately we all like to have them clean, with our personalized plates, and the front end is pretty flat.

Also remember the effective distance of a laser unit. The newer laser units are good for about 2000 feet. The older laser units are good to up to 4500 feet even though I have never personally been able to get a reading that far.

With that said....good luck and let the games begin.

P.s. remember that owning radar jammer is illegal in every state under federal law and also by state law in several states. Laser jammers are only illegal in 9 states so far.

Believe it or not laser jammers are actually legal besides in states that ban them themselves (something to do with laser regulations falling under the juristiction of the food and drug administration i believe). There about 7 states that have banned laser detectors if I recall correctly though.

Radar Jamming is 100 percent illegal.

And most importantly, mad respect to the officers who have chimed in and their more than fair policies.

[Aieaboy]

In my 30+ years I've been driving, I've received my fair share of moving violation tickets. A LOT of speeding tickets in my youth. But NONE in the last 20 years (KNOCK ON WOOD). I've been pulled over for speeding 3 or 4 times in the last 20 years and either received a written or verbal warning each time. My approach was to be extremely respectful, yes sir, no sir, etc. be engaging (but not ass kissing), I didn't admit or decline fault....basically I would say I wasn't "aware" I was going that fast and I tell the cop I don't constantly look at the speedometer but at the road in front of me, AND BEFORE he/she walks back to the patrol car, I always say that "I have a very good driving history and I would appreciate it if you would CONSIDER giving me a warning but if you issue me a ticket, I can totally understand. You have a job to do and I will respect that." It has worked most of the time for me.

Just my 2 cents.

[Camaro4Life2011]

basically I would say I wasn't "aware" I was going that fast and I tell the cop I don't constantly look at the speedometer but at the road in front of me, AND BEFORE he/she walks back to the patrol car, I always say that "I have a very good driving history and I would appreciate it if you would CONSIDER giving me a warning but if you issue me a ticket, I can totally understand. You have a job to do and I will respect that." It has worked most of the time for me.

well said ^

[first one]

Every time I drive by a major airport like indy or fort wayne, my escort 8500 x50 goes off 4 or 5 times making jump out of my skin. Some signal being transmitted from the airport apparently, other than that, I've never had my laser detector go off.

[steeleshark2]

Originally Posted by Hollywood2010

anytime any of you are in ohio near cleveland, gimmie a holler and come and do a ride along. I'll show you exactly the speeds we get on the highway and how it looks from "the other side."

Hell, I may make a trip up just for this!!

[SILVERHAWK]

Originally Posted by Lightrider

I've been driving from PA into Clinton NJ for the last 10 years or so, I've NEVER had the laser warning pop up on my detector.

For the most part, I've found both Hunterdon and State cops in NJ leave their Ka band on all the time. Very infrequently will they 'instant on' individual cars.

I believe for at least a period of time NJ did away with Laser as an enforcement tool at least that was the rumor I heard. Something to do with shooting a laser at people???? someone tried to sue the State of NJ I think.
I would have to ask my contacts up there if its been brought back or not.

At least when I lived in PA, the State Police were the only ones that could use RADAR and now LIDAR for speed enforcement. Townships were using other methods like VASCAR and pacing to enforce speed.


By the way, I almost got a police job in Clinton, NJ. My wife is originally from Hopewell, NJ and one of our best friends is the assistant Chief of Police there.

[SILVERHAWK]

Originally Posted by DarkneSS

Ha, probably not too many. I've heard that VA and NC are pretty strict. Hell at 10 over around here I'd have to pull over half the cars on the road. They pass me even in a marked car between 5-10 over on a multi-lane road. And as long as you are nice and the speed is below 30 over I knock everything down to 5 over so its the min fine and points. 30 over here is a mandatory suspension. Once you get to 40 over then I don't knock it down at all. At that speed you better be bleeding out and trying to get to the ER.

We need more reasonable minded cops like you and Hollywood imo, Not trying to kiss up I just hate that we live in a police state and everyine is afraid of the police. Its nice to know that we dont have to be afraid of all of them (referring to you two).[/QUOTE]


I wouldn't think you were kissing up. You are right some of "us" get a little more personal about the job than others. I've always made sure I never make the job personal and train my new recruits to hold the same opinion. If you are speeding then your speeding unless you run me or someone in my "families" over then theres no need for me to be "mad" about it. I always have people apologize to me for speeding. I always say you don't have to be sorry its just my job to enforce it thats all. Even the people I catch at 40+ over. I always joke with them like "Where are they giving money away? cause I need some too. Breaks the ice cause its bad enough I am about to issue them a whole lot of hurt. If they are nice theres no reason to be coarse or mad. Just a job besides in the area I am in (small) you run into alot of people again everyday its nice when you can make fun of the encounter later.

A ride a long is a very good thing like Hollywood said. It will open your eyes to our side of things. You will all be amazed at what we deal with. If you ever get a chance--go ahead and do it.
If any of you are in DE you can try me to. I don't mind giving someone a ride a long.

[djmikehop]

Originally Posted by Hollywood2010

I am an officer in Ohio and almost exclusively use laser. Just remember if i stop you and see a radar/laser detector then you will get a ticket. The reason is, I consider it a game at that point. You try to see how fast you can go and not get caught, and I try to see how fast I can catch you going.

I haven't seen any Laser jammers that actually work (not sure about radar). I had a friend that bought two different "jamming" units and neither one really worked.

Best thing you can do is reduce the reflectivity of your car. Cars without front plates are harder to clock than cars with plates (but not impossible). Remember your headlights, windshield, and any flat surface will reflect the laser back. Dirty cars are harder to track than clean. Also for some reason light colored metalic cars reflect better than dark cars. Cloth bra's do cut way down on the range of the laser.

So for us Camaro owners unfortunately we all like to have them clean, with our personalized plates, and the front end is pretty flat.

Also remember the effective distance of a laser unit. The newer laser units are good for about 2000 feet. The older laser units are good to up to 4500 feet even though I have never personally been able to get a reading that far.

With that said....good luck and let the games begin.

P.s. remember that owning radar jammer is illegal in every state under federal law and also by state law in several states. Laser jammers are only illegal in 9 states so far.

First off, Thank you for your service, second thanks for the advice, I agree that when an officer stops you, you are already caught, if they see a detector of any type you are getting the ticket. If pulled over, turn on you interior light, put your window down, hands on the wheel at 10 & 2, sit tight, say good day to the nice officer & plead stupid about what ever you did to make the nice officer "work". Thank him/ her and wish them a safe day! Pay the fine or fight it in court next time DON'T GET CAUGHT!

[Ten33]

I would also like to add that I give a 15 mph cushion before I consider pulling someone over for the most part, obviously school zones and neighborhoods are different. I'm pretty laid back, and the driver's attitude can dictate alot on how the stop goes. I'm human also, and being a Camaro driver I can certainly understand how quickly you can lose the reality of how fast you are going! I know there are some officers who can be hard asses, but every profession has them......try not to judge all based upon a bad experience with one. Now let's ride!!!

[DarkneSS]

Originally Posted by SILVERHAWK

We need more reasonable minded cops like you and Hollywood imo, Not trying to kiss up I just hate that we live in a police state and everyine is afraid of the police. Its nice to know that we dont have to be afraid of all of them (referring to you two).

Ah man I wish New York cops had the same attitude you do. Ive run into about 3 "cool" cops out of about 17. Only two pull overs were in my camaro, one because he didnt notice my temp plates when I just got it and two because I was going 80 in a 55. I was honestly just really tireed, had been driving over 2 + hrs to upstate ny to get my friends from school.
Both let me off with warnings. In my old import I got hit pretty hard and honestly I did deserve it based off the way my car looked I was asking for it.

That said, many of the cops Ive dealt with barely even treated me human. Youd think I had just murdered someone when all I had was a loud muffler + tints.

I have no problem owning up to breaking the law, I cant blame the officer for the law and enforcing it.

Its just that cops in NY dont seem to take the common sense/reasonable approach you guys seem to do.

One night I was coming home at about 11 P.M. from work doing delivery, the streets were empty, no one around. I came to a stop sign and casually came to a slow roll and kept going, no cars in sight. Turns out a cop was hiding in a near by parking lot. he pulled me over and gave me a ticket despite me being very respectful and nice to him. Cost me 2 + nights worth of work.

Its like come on man my job sucks enough cut me a break Im super tired and I may have even served you food before, is rolling through a stop sign at 5 mph at 11 at night with no one around worth a ticket? idk...

Like I sad before I just wish cops were more reasonable like you guys in this country.

I
ll definitely take you up for a ride along if Im ever in the area. Ill even take you to lunch/dinner on me for the courtesy.

Take it easy btw and I honestly hope nothing bad happens during a pull over for you, we need more cool cops. My parents mis the days in which you knew local cops by name. Now instead youre just afraid of them.

To counter this I wave at any local cop I see. They act surprised but wave back awkwardly. I think local cops should know local people, in the end it helps us help them do their job. Im more likely to approach a cop I know with info than a cop Im afraid of with info.

[68RS]

I have to say, I originally wasn't going to get a radar detector. As stated by the OH officer, it would make it part of the game and I would most likely be given a ticket. However, for the past two years I have been given two tickets, for 12 mph, and 16 mph over the speed limit, both when trying to pass someone. I was very courteous and didn't argue, and the ticket wasn't knocked down at all, nor have a been given any warnings. I think here in TX it is simply another form of revenue generation, so if you get pulled over, you are getting the ticket.

I'm rethinking my decision on buying a radar detector...