I travel a lot and was considering investing in a Radar Detector. I
live in the state of CT and it seems like every retailer has their own
assortment of devices. What is the actual law when it comes to buying
and/or using these devices?

I have heard they are illegal, but I don't understand how that could
be possible with so many for sale, and so many in use.

I also travel to NY and sometimes MA, so knowing the law for those
states could be useful as well. A link to government website that
states the law would be a plus, but not necessary. Thanks.

Dear dvati0n,

There is no federal law against the sale or possession of radar
detectors, which are passive receiving devices, but their use inside a
car is prohibited in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

"The Federal Communication Act of 1934 guarantees the right to receive
radio transmissions of all types on all frequencies. Traffic radar is
not privileged communication: in fact, it's not communication of any
sort because no information is conveyed to another party. It is
surveillance by radio waves, and that is not protected by any laws."

Valentine One: A Few Things to Remember
http://www.valentine1.com/moreinfo/Remember.asp

"Detectors are legal in all states except Virginia and the District of Columbia."

Radar Detectors
http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/radardet.html

They were formerly banned in Connecticut, but that law was repealed
and they are now permitted. For an up-to-date listing of
radar-detector legality and other interesting facts pertaining to
their use, go here.

U.S. RADAR-Detector Laws
http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/radar4.html

Notice, for example, that Minnesota prohibits one from attaching
objects to the windshield. The cops could confiscate a radar detector
that was so installed.

If you feel that my answer is incomplete or inaccurate in any way, please
post a clarification request so that I have a chance to meet your needs
before you assign a rating.

Regards,

leapinglizard


Search Query:

radar detector legal us
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=radar+detector+legal+us&btnG=Search

radar detector laws
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=radar+detector+laws&btnG=Search

Good information. Thank you.

Save your money.  It's been my experiance that you get more tickets
when you have them than when you don't.  You just have to be a little
more alert, besides, half the time your detector goes off it it
because you are being tagged the the police.