The answer is YES! Radar detectors are completely legal to use in the UK and evidence taken from a MORI poll between radar detector users and non-radar detector users concluded that people who own them are less likely to have an accident.

Radar Detectors have been designed to help you drive in the confines of today’s ever changing speed limits. They are not a licence to speed. Always remember that speed limits have been set for the safety of all road users.
However, drivers should be made aware of the speed limit before they commit an offence. Speed traps are often set up where the speed limit is decreased, i.e. from 60 – 40mph or from a 50 – 30mph zone. Driving in today’s congested traffic conditions, concentrating on the traffic around you means that it is easy to drive into a restricted zone without noticing the change in speed limits. Therefore advanced warning through radar detection could prevent you from driving dangerously (which is in everybody’s interests). The Spanish have radar controlled traffic lights, if they sense you travelling above the speed limit the lights are changed against your favour, this is the best kind of instant incentive to drive within the speed limit, but then it doesn’t raise much cash does it!

Radar detectors are legal in England but the law differs around the world.
The sale, purchase and installation of Snooper or Radarscout products is perfectly legal. The use of one until recently may have contravened the 1949 Wireless and Telegraphy Act but a judgement of the Queens Bench Divisional Court dated 29th January 1998 makes it clear that the use of Radar Detectors is not unlawful as has hitherto been claimed by some. In the past a few prosecutions have been brought by claiming the use of radar detectors was contrary to section 5(b)(i) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 as amended by section 3 of the Post Office Act 1969. However the Acts refer to the interception of wireless communications for the purpose of obtaining information as to the content, sender or addressee of any message. The Court concluded that the radar transmission was not communicating a ‘message’ and therefore equipment designed to detect the presence of the transmission could not decode any such message.

It was further stated that section 1(1) of the Act, which requires a licence for the reception of radio signals, has been superseded by the Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus (Receivers)(Exemption) Regulations (SI 1989 No123) which exempts radar detectors and similar equipment from the need for such licences.

This case is reported in The Times on Feb 18, 1998, page 41 under the heading “Radar speed guns do not send message”. Unfortunately The Times now charges for access to its archives and we can no longer link to the full story but you can purchase the extract yourself here, it’s about the 63rd article down the page. http://www.newsint-archive.co.uk/
If you are interested in finding the latest Speed Camera Detectors go to http://www.undetected.co.uk/ to find the best Laser and GPS Camera Detectors out there. With our personal recommendation being the Indicator GPS Speed Camera Detector (http://www.indic8tor.com/ )

http://www.undetected.co.uk/ helping you find the latest GPS Radar Detectors on the market

With more than 3 million motorists being caught by speed cameras, it is little wonder that Britain’s motorists are becoming more and more desperate to find ways to avoid the inevitable three points and £60 fine.

Unfortunately, speed cameras are not always about being safe. So whilst you may be perfectly safe driving along an empty motorway at eighty miles an hour, this does not mean that you will escape the hidden camera.

As a result, many motorists are opting to fight speed cameras with technology, namely speed camera detectors.

Are Speed Camera Detectors Legal?

One of the leading detectors on the market is the Indic8tor that promises to be the ultimate driving experience. But are these tools legal? YES! There has been much discussion about the legality of these radars, but it has been decided, finally, that they are perfectly legal accessories.

Currently, there is a bill going through Parliament that may make certain types of detectors illegal. However, the mainstream type of detector, like the Indic8tor, is likely to be sound for many years to come!

How do Speed Detectors Work?

A detector can work in one of three ways, through laser detection, radar detection or through GPS (Global Positioning Satellite). The latter type alerts drivers to the location of cameras, regardless of whether they are in operation or not. These types of detectors are thought of as fully compatible with the Government’s policy of having highly visible cameras and are unlikely ever to be banned. Other types such as those that ‘jam’ signals are more likely to come under scrutiny in the next few years.

How Does the Indic8tor Work?

Indic8tor works in a way that allows the driver to be alerted to most of the main types of cameras that are in use on Britain’s roads. Gatso cameras account for over 90% of all stationary cameras that are currently in use and are, therefore, probably the most important ones to be able to detect accurately. Fortunately, the Indic8tor manages to detect the laser from the cameras in advance. It can, therefore, warn drivers of the upcoming speed camera, while also reminding the driver of the speed limit in operation so that compliance can be maintained.

The second main types of cameras in use are the mobile cameras, which are used by police officers at the side of the road. Again, these are highly dangerous to the motorist as they are, by their very nature, rarely in the same place two days in a row. Vigilance is of course necessary, but detectors such as the Indic8tor will also alert drivers in plenty of time of the upcoming camera and will remind the motorist of the applicable speed restrictions.

Benefits of a Speed Camera Detector

Contrary to some earlier reports, speed camera detectors are now considered to be useful driving aids, which actually encourage drivers to drive well. One of the main reasons for this is that the driver is released to concentrate on the business of driving rather than looking out for hidden speed cameras! By using detectors wisely, motorists can dramatically reduce their chances of a motoring conviction as well as making themselves much safer drivers.

Remember, however, that having a speed detector does not give you carte blanche to charge around at whatever speed you wish – safety should still always come first.

Like all motorists, I am fed up with getting fined for driving a few miles an hour over the speed limit when real criminals are getting away. Now I am getting away too with the Indic8tor! Visit http://www.indic8tor.com

A photo radar is designed to photograph drivers who travel five to ten miles per hour over the speed limit. These photographs, along with particulars such as date, time, location, and vehicle speed, are then mailed to offenders.

Anatomy of Photo Radars
How does photo radar work? Photo radar is made up of the following:

- a high speed traffic camera and flash unit

- a narrow beam, low-powered Doppler radar antenna aimed across the road

- a computer that records information, such as date, time, speed, and location of the violation

Photo radar works this way. First, the system is hoisted onto a police vehicle that typically patrols areas where overspeeding is a problem. Then, it catches speed demons and those who run against red lights. Drivers can see their vehicles’ speed from a reader board found in the back window of the police unit display.

Beating Photo Radars
Many disgruntled drivers have successfully parlayed their dislike for photo radars into a lucrative business. They produce products that supposedly protect drivers from being photographed by photo radars. Below are some of the products and a brief description of how they are used.

Radar Detectors
A radar detector detects the presence of photo enforcement devices. Accordingly, it assists drivers in beating photo radars by warning them of photo radar presence. This gives drivers time to slow down. Many claim radar detectors are effective. One problem with radar detectors, however, is that these do not work with red light cameras that measure speed using sensors embedded in roadways.

Flash-back device
What senses the flash of a photo enforcement camera and immediately flashes its own strobe light onto the license plate to make license numbers invisible to cameras? Why, a flash-back device, of course! Flash-back devices are highly popular, especially because they’re cheap. A study, shows however, that flash-back devices are ineffective in beating photo radars when Redflex sensor-based photo enforcement cameras are used.

GPS-based warning systems
Radar detectors are illegal, and in some states, use of flash-back devices are implicitly prohibited. What do drivers interested in beating photo radars without breaking the law do? They buy GPS-based warning systems. These devices, which are very popular in European markets, has just recently become available in the United States.

This is how a GPS-based warning system works: you download the location of speed enforcement cameras into a GPS system. Because your system now has a map of camera locations, it warns you to slow down every time you are close to a photo radar.

While a GPS-based technology may seem infallible, it is not without its faults. To be effective, it relies on your knowledge of photo radars’ locations. This is knowledge you may not always have. All it takes for you to get a citation is one speed camera unregistered in your GPS system.

Plate covers
Plate covers are cheaper alternatives to the three technologies I have previously discussed. These covers go over your license plate, keeping it visible to anyone who is directly behind your car. In certain angles, however, a portion of your license plate cannot be seen. Some states, particularly Washington, D.C, penalize the use of these covers by as much as $300. Other states are silent regarding their use. Should you ever decide to go for plate covers, note that they do not work with motion video cameras.

Photo spray
This is the least effective method for beating photo radars. It is sprayed onto license plates. Its high gloss finish is said to reflect the light flashed by cameras, resulting in overexposure of photos. Experts warn that photo sprays are only 45% reliable in reflecting camera light. Furthermore, though photos are overexposed, a quick scrutiny of their negatives will yield the exact sequence of a license plate’s numbers and letters.

Beating photo radars requires cunning and the proper tools. When caught, you would be held legally accountable. You must, therefore, carefully consider what technology to use and whether you are ready for repercussions. Then, and only then, should you use any of the above-mentioned technologies.

Interested in beating photo radars? Learn more about CCTV systems and use of the infrared camera in traffic monitoring when you visit Video-Surveillance-Guide.com today!

You’re driving down the road and what do you see on every piece of straight road? You guessed it! A Speed camera waiting to give you another hefty fine. Well if like me your fed up with it it’s time to start fighting back.

Here are 3 Tips to help you decided on what you need from the best radar detectors. No matter what your budget is there is a detector on the market to suit your needs.

1 – Price

Like most things in the world the more you spend the more features and bells and whistles you get. Picking the best radar detector to suit your pocket is simple with so much choice. It’s important to realize that with the cost of speeding tickets it’s more of an investment then a cost. Starting at about $90 it’s a wise idea for you to buy one.

2- Features

Most modern models have a choice of features for you to choose from. Each has different detection ranges and some pick up more bands than others. Obviously the more different bands the radar detector detects the more effective it will be at preventing you from receiving a fine threw the mail. Other features like built sound alert can be handy to inform you as you approach a speed trap. Some also have things like a compass which is not really needed but a nice touch.

3- Appearance

Most radar detectors come in black or silver and have digital displays that come in a choice of colors. Some of the older units are big and bulky but the newer models are an excellent size to sit discretely on your dashboard.

I hope these tips helped you in choosing from the best radar detectors on the market.

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Road safety is vital on today’s roads, with concerned parent transporting their little one’s to farmers transporting live stock. Speed camera detectors are equipment used by law enforcement to assist in keeping our roads safe. Here are a few of such detectors: The SPECS safety system works by using by using automatic average speed digital technology. A pair of cameras creates a speed controlled zone and groups of cameras can be linked to create a speed controlled network. As vehicles pass between the cameras pairs they are digitally recorded. The time it takes for the vehicle to travel between both points is used to thus calculate the average speed.

The GATSO camera system is widely used in the United Kingdom and account for 90 percent of fixed cameras on roads. This speed camera detector uses radar technology to estimate the speed at which a vehicle might be traveling. This particular camera faces the rear of the motor vehicle so that the cameras ‘flash’ would not blind the oncoming motorists. A third speed camera detector is the Truvello, this piece of equipment takes pictures of the front of a vehicle, using infra red which produces no visible flash.

The speed of vehicles is determined by sensors built into the road. The mobile speed detector camera and hand devices are used across the country to catch motorists speeding and have to be positioned in approved locations. The red light cameras are placed at traffic light junctions and photograph vehicles that pass red traffic lights. Detectors have been designed to help you drive in the confines of today’s ever changing speed limits. Always remember that speed limits have been set for the safety of all road users. Speed camera detectors are seen to police as a speeding deterant as they do not pre-warn you of whether the camera has any film or not.

Written by Charles Lamston. Find more information on speed camera detectors