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Are Speed Trap Detection Systems Legal?

Speed Trap Detectors ARE LEGAL!

In January 1998 the Queen's Bench Divisional Court stated that radar detectors had in fact never been illegal, contrary to popular folklore and the repeated claims of the police. So you can happily buy one and acquire an extra pair of eyes that can identify speed traps further down the road than you can.

The sale, purchase and use of radar detectors is perfectly legal. 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 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was further stated that section 1(1) of the Act, which requires a licence for the reception of radio signals, has been superseded by the Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus (Receivers)(Exemption) Regulations (SI 1989 No123) which exempts radar detectors and similar equipment from the need for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 licenses.

Speed Trap Detector Users Have Fewer Accidents
Taken from a poll conducted in the UK by MORI.

• Radar detector users on average drive 73,952 miles further between accidents than non radar detector users.
• 75% of users claim to be more aware of keeping to the speed limit since they purchased a detector.
• Users claim to travel 50% further between accidents than non-users.
• 60% of users claim to have become a safer driver since purchasing a radar detector.
• 75% of users have become more speed aware since purchasing a radar detector.
• Radar detector users have 24% fewer accidents.