What is a Radar Detector?

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Radar detectors are electronic devices that drivers use to detect whether their speed is being monitored by radar guns used by law enforcement. A radar detector warns you so you can slow down in time and avoid getting a ticket.

Depending on the type, range, and sensitivity of the radar detector, some are able to detect laser speed guns typically used by police as speed traps. Overall, radar detectors are very handy tools that are readily available in the market.

How Does It Work?

Radar detectors detect radio waves or radio signals. While radar detectors may sound advanced and high-tech, they actually work based on a very simple concept. Police officers point radar speed guns at vehicles to measure how fast they are going and to know if they’re going over the speed limit. The guns in turn create invisible waves which the antenna from your radar detectors detect from up ahead. Usually, a more advanced antenna and hardware alert a driver much earlier because they detect radio waves at a farther distance.

Do You Need One?

There are several reasons why using a radar detector is beneficial and here are the most important ones.

Save Money

The average penalty for a speeding ticket in the United States is $150, still depending on how fast you were going and whether you have previous speeding charges. These can all cost you a lot of money, not to mention the court fees and how they can rack up your insurance premium by hundreds of dollars annually. A radar detector will help you avoid getting these significant fines and save large amounts of money and precious time.

Prevent License Suspension

Not only are speeding violations costly, they can also have your driver’s license suspended or revoked, your car confiscated, and there’s also potential jail time depending on the jurisdiction. Investing in a radar detector that costs around $150 to $500 may be a great idea.

Is It Legal?

Generally, radar detectors are legal throughout the United States except for some states and types of vehicles. You can read more about it in Are Radar Detectors Legal.