Radar detector /too many false alarms

[TX-Dennis]

I've never used one. Had only three speeding tickets in my life. One when I was 16, another about 25 years ago, and one about six years ago. I use my cruise to keep from speeding inadvertently. I routinely set it at 5mph over the posted limit. That is until yesterday I did.

I've passed cops frequently over the years at an indicated 5mph over the speed limit without earning so much as a glance, but yesterday I ran into one rookie who decided I was a danger to society. He told me I was 2mph over the speed limit, so he was giving me a warning. Even said he had followed me for awhile to "give me a chance to slow down." I did notice him behind me, but really wasn't concerned. He was a nice enough kid and was just doing his job, but maybe just a tad over zealous.

I guess I need to rethink my old 5mph over limit habit.

 

[BC38]

In my younger days I received a LOT of those high speed driving awards. I used a detector for a number of years, but all the false alerts got so annoying I gave it up. It's easier to just leave a couple of minutes earlier and make sure I don't go more than 5mph over the limit. It must be working because I haven't had a ticket in several years...

 

[RobertJ.]

But if You obey the Speed Limit there is no need for a Radar Detector.

Bingo!

Sorry, I'm a former behind-the-wheel driving instructor, but I'm still fanatical about the rules.

 

[bigwheelzip]

You want a jammer duhh

Laser Jammer deals with one type of threat.
https://www.escortradar.com/lasershifterpro/

 

[johngalt]

I generally try to keep it between 5 and 10 over. I've been passed by police going faster.

Then occasionally there is the police car doing about 5 under, with a big line of cars behind him. No one wants to pass. I eventually make my up to the front and pass him, I have never been pulled over for doing so.

I quit using a detector years ago. Staying within 10 seems to be good enough.

 

[BigBoy99]

Laser Jammer deals with one type of threat.
https://www.escortradar.com/lasershifterpro/

According to the ad, the detector works in milliseconds. How does one brake to the legal limit in a millisecond?

 

[brigeton]

I like how you're on the highway with a 70 limit and there's a cop in the median and everyone slows to 60.

 

[bigwheelzip]

According to the ad, the detector works in milliseconds. How does one brake to the legal limit in a millisecond?

That time refers to the near instantaneous jamming of the detection device. The driver can coast down to the legal speed and then turn off the jammer.

I don't encourage speeding, I'm just making note of the current state of technology. Personally, I set the cruise control at the speed limit.

 

[Cpo1944]

Many thanks for all of the reply and helpful suggestions. I`ll see if re-programing it helps, But I really do think the State has something to do with creating those false signals.

 

[hoosierone]

Timely thread. Just drove home from TX, 1200 miles. Many times my Escort went off when there weren't any cars within 200 yards. The worse was I-57 in southern IL. It was constantly going off.

In the past, years ago, it would start going off slowly and increase in intensity. I would invariably see a police car either lurking on the side or coming from the other way. Very reliable. Not so now.

I called Escort a few months ago and asked what gives. The woman mentioned adaptive cruise control on newer cars but couldn't explain why it went off when there were no cars around. I'm hoping for new technology to solve this. Bought my first detector in 1987 after getting a ticket from a cop coming from the other direction. Couple years later got nailed by an airplane of all things. Last one a few years ago was laser. He was on an overpass. I now watch overpasses to see if a police car is sitting there.