Are Speed / Red Light And Police Radar Detectors Legal?

[Spunky Munky]

Hey fellas,

Was just wondering if anyone knows whether in-car speed / red light and police radar detecting devices are legal on Australian roads?

I've spoken to Vicroads, some police patrol officers and friends and all seem to hold the following belief suggesting that 'yes' they are legal as long as they are used for the right purposes...

"They are legal equipment to enhance road safety - it is the intention of the police via the use of cameras and radar devices to limit deaths on our roads - hence, with or without the aid of additional instruments - it is expected that one obey road laws and requirements whilst driving on Australian roads..."

If we based it on the above; I guess these in-car detection devices are legal then as they further enhance our awareness of the speed we are travelling, local speed limits and further assist us to becom safe drivers? Is this correct fellas?

I just bought a Uniden GPS 301 RSWS - it's damn good, detects everything including blackspots (dangerous, accident-prone zones) - and warns you of a camera/radar pod from as far as 600 metres away. Very good and has helped me heaps.

Moreover, they are so widely obtainable - e.g. Tom Tom One G2, if you pay an extra $150.00 or something can have this feature installed too - so is this legal or illegal??

Cheers,

[gdogzgtr]

I would think it's fine if it tells you where the fixed speed/red light camera's are as there are sights that freely give those locations but if it detects Radar/laser guns, camera cars then it would be illegal.

[HackerX]

Are we talking about detectors? Or just GPS systems with the locations of camera's etc stored.

I can't see why the GPS type systems (i.e. some sort of database of fixed camera locations) wouldn't be legal, but systems that actively detect radars etc are still illegal (as far as I'm aware).

[Gazee]

the stupid thing is that you can own a radar detector, but illegal to use..

[R31Nismoid]

GPS is just that, a GPS.

They only tell you the fixed locations. Not the mobile ones, or the ones Police setup at a point along the road, or the on-car radar of Police Vehicles

So they arent a "radar" detector at all. They just know where the fixed ones are, as does pretty much everyone else.

I guess i can see the benefit if you dont know where the fixed ones are, other than that. You'll become reliant on the "warning" and more likely to be pinned by a mobile unit

[Boss-zilla]

Are we talking about detectors? Or just GPS systems with the locations of camera's etc stored.

I can't see why the GPS type systems (i.e. some sort of database of fixed camera locations) wouldn't be legal, but systems that actively detect radars etc are still illegal (as far as I'm aware).

+1

GPS systems which use a fixed camera database are ok but the radar detectors are illegal unless you live in WA were they are legal and every second car has one!

Very good and has helped me heaps.

Spunky Munky from what i have read in all your other posts you need as much help as possible.

[mad082]

the sites that give away where speed cameras are located (the mobile ones) are going to be shut down. the government is cracking down on them.

[Stinky Rooster]

the stupid thing is that you can own a radar detector, but illegal to use..

so is a bong....

[xRHETTx]

the sites that give away where speed cameras are located (the mobile ones) are going to be shut down. the government is cracking down on them.

but the Victorian Police gave out a list of EVERY mobile speed camera location on it a while ago?

Whatt government are you talking about/what state?

[RBwhatever]

They're legal in WA as stated before.

[Ronin 09]

GPS is just that, a GPS.

They only tell you the fixed locations. Not the mobile ones, or the ones Police setup at a point along the road, or the on-car radar of Police Vehicles

So they arent a "radar" detector at all. They just know where the fixed ones are, as does pretty much everyone else.

I guess i can see the benefit if you dont know where the fixed ones are, other than that. You'll become reliant on the "warning" and more likely to be pinned by a mobile unit

They don't "detect" anything.

There is memory on board that all the data of speed cameras etc are loaded into, and when the GPS realises that you are near a stored camera, it chimes a warning.

there is no reason why it isn't legal.

it is the same as me driving along with a passenger and a notebook filled with details of all locations of speed cameras, and him shouting out when we go close to one.

[scathing]

If we based it on the above; I guess these in-car detection devices are legal then as they further enhance our awareness of the speed we are travelling

How does a unit that detects a specific band of radar signals, and provide an audio/visual cue, enhance your awareness of the speed in which you're travellling or the inherent road conditions around you? It also doesn't enhance your awareness of the house you're about to crash your car into either.

You'd be amazed at what your eyes can see if you one day pull your head out of your arse. Who needs an accident black spot warning system when you can use your (hopefully standard fitment) eyes and brain, and see what the road conditions look like and how traffic flows through it and determine the risk level, or the big f**k-off signs that the roads authorities put in those areas and therefore not need your brain to come to a conclusion?

If you genuinely want to be a safer road user, stick to riding a bus. With your mental faculties and driving history, it sounds like the biggest accident-prone black spot in Victoria is anywhere near you when you're driving.

Edited July 11, 2007 by scathing

[Ronin 09]

no really... tell us what you thing scathing!

[BAMR33]

I already know where all the red light cameras are around me, so the GPS detector things are pointless not that I'd intentionally go through a red light anyway.

Edit: why would you need to know where red light cameras are anyway?! People who go through red lights deserve to be fined, there's no valid excuse for it.

Edited July 11, 2007 by BAMR33

[Kyoko]

there's alot of street dircetorys that tell u about fixed cameras etc but i ant sure about the mobile radar detectors soudns kidna illegal XD if they catch u i guess but if u bought a product they have to havea aproved it so there loss

[Spunky Munky]

Many thanks fellas. Yeah, I had a very good good of the manual today and also spent much time on Vicroads website etch, and it seems that GPS are ok as they only detect fixed locations - hence, this is ok. mine does just that so I guess I am safe.

I drive 5 k's below the speed limit at most times now, but it's just good to know so you can be extra careful to avoid fines.

However, does anyone have the above confirmation in writing somehwere - e.g. a website URL? I keep all my legal documents in my car now just in case I get checked by the cops. Just covering my back.

Cheers fellas.

Edited July 11, 2007 by Spunky Munky

[Ronin 09]

Spunky, GPS does not detect anything

They merely locate where you are via satellites, then the machine memory references your location and says "hey i know there's a camera here so I'll warn you". It is referencing a database on a memory card in the unit. It does not send any signal out and "detect" the cameras or radars.

[evesdropping]

the sites that give away where speed cameras are located (the mobile ones) are going to be shut down. the government is cracking down on them.

How accurate are they? I would've thought that by the time the location was updated on the net, the cops would be gone

[HackerX]

How accurate are they? I would've thought that by the time the location was updated on the net, the cops would be gone

As accurate as the radio reports I'd guess. (i.e. not very).