September 2, 2010
How to Avoid Speeding Tickets
I once had someone explain that a speeding ticket is just a road tax we all get to pay now and then. Not satisfied with that, I have spent the last 10 years researching technological solutions to avoiding speeding tickets. During this time I have also made a few observations, that when combined with a reliable radar detector will keep you from paying this road tax. Here are some things you can do if you plan on driving fast to minimize your chance of a ticket.
Use a rabbit: A rabbit is a term for someone ahead of you that is driving fast. The goal is to let them attract any attention and be pulled over and not you. The trick of course is not being too close so you end up being caught as well. Following loosely behind a rabbit and using a radar detector will reduce your chance of being pulled over greatly. The rabbit is going to spring the speed trap for you, just sit back and pay attention. If police are using instant-on radar the rabbit will be hit first alerting you in time to slow down.
Stay with the flow: When you find yourself in with a pack of vehicles that are driving fast, try to avoid being in the front or rear. This will keep you from being picked off from the herd and getting a ticket.
Pay attention to oncoming traffic: Many police will follow closely behind another car to hide. If you see what you think are two cars close together in the oncoming lane, there is a good chance the second car is a police vehicle. Several times I have seen the second car do a sudden U-turn and pull the car in front of me.
Watch out around overpasses: Law enforcement loves to lurk up on overpasses, just waiting to swoop down on traffic bellow. When approaching an overpass slow down, especially near state lines.
Slow down in obvious areas: Some areas have a lot of police visitors. Be wary around truck stops, rest areas, and around courthouses (you would be shocked how many people do not pay attention). Also do not speed on the "main road". A lot of cities have a few roads where there are a lot of stores and restaurants. The police have to drive down it everyday just like you do, don't make them grumpy by having to pull you over on the way to lunch.
Do not speed in sensitive areas: I do not care how much of a hurry you are in, do not speed in school zones, construction zones, around hospitals, or near public crowded events. Speeding in these areas means you are an idiot. It is not safe and most likely there are law enforcement in the area looking for idiots.
Perfect speed traps: When you are driving and you think an area is perfect for a speed trap, guess what! There are some roads that are just easy to drive fast on. They tend to be wide, with a well paved surface, and have long stretches with occasional hills or turns to hide around.
That town: Every state has some town that makes all of their money from a speed trap. If you are driving along on a county road and the speed limit drops suddenly to 25 MPH, take it seriously. Feel free to smirk a bit when you pass the cop just around the corner.
Enjoy driving through a park, just do not enjoy it that much: There are some great scenic drives out there in our state and national parks. There are some park rangers just waiting to give you a ticket.
All alone on the road: If you are alone on the highway, there is very little you can do if you are hit by instant-on radar. If there is a cop lurking ahead of you, there is little warning time if the police officer is using instant-on to clock you with a short radar burst.
Look behind you: Always keep a watch of what is going on around you. If you see sudden movement of a car turning around, or accelerating towards you it might be a cop. Not all police have their radar on constantly and if they see someone that looks like they are driving fast they will come after you. You will get no warning even with a radar detector (because they are not using one, or are getting closer to hit you with instant-on).
Turn on your radar detector: I think some of you would be surprised by the number of people that get caught with a radar detector unplugged or turned off.
Don't be an idiot: Many police, particularly city cops are not out to pull everyone they encounter. They are looking for people that are breaking the law in multiple areas. So do not drive a car that has an expired inspection sticker, no license plate, busted taillight, and one working headlight while not wearing a seat belt and talking on the phone. This also goes for soccer moms and dads that should be driving not texting and yelling at the kids and not paying attention to the car they almost hit.
Don't be an ass: If you tailgate and change lanes constantly you will attract attention.
On the way to the beach: The roads to popular tourist destinations are often heavily monitored. While some places tell their police to take it easy on visitors, the next county over you have to drive through will have no such concerns.
Fast lane, slow lane: Police expect people in the passing lane to speed. If you are just passing someone they may ignore you, but if you are cruising faster than everyone else you will attract some interest. The same goes for large multi-lane highways. The far lanes on each side are watched closer than the middle lanes. Try to keep to the center lanes except to pass someone.
Everyone is slowing down: Chances are there is a cop ahead or a known speed trap. Check your speed and if you are not certain what the speed limit is, you might want to fade in with everyone else.
I hope this helps save some of you from speeding tickets. If you have any comments please feel free to let me know what you think here on our radar detector blog. If you have any questions about radar detectors, laser jammers, or other defensive devices please give us a call (1-800-584-1445) or send us an email. Be a smart, protected and safe driver. - Danny
August 25, 2010
Danny's Personal Picks for the Best Radar Detectors for the Money!
The other day we were talking about the best radar detectors for the money. Which ones in their price range offer the most usable features and are excellent at detecting police radar. If you are a frugal shopper, what radar detectors are honestly the best? Danny narrowed down our selection to the four radar detectors that he feels represent the ideals of a true "best" radar detector based on different budgets.
We then made a video on why they are great radar detectors. While not ideal for everyone, they are a frugal deal and excel at offering the most for the money. Every radar detectors is built by recognized, quality manufacturers which take pride in the radar detectors they build. Like all of you we want to shop smart, get the most for our money, and buy reliable gear from reputable companies.
We even have a quick video summary for each of these radar detectors on their product page:
Whistler Pro 68 SE radar detector
Beltronics 955 radar detector
Beltronics RX65 radar detector
Escort 9500ix radar detector
If you have any questions about a radar detector or other defensive device, give us a call at 1-800-584-1445 or send us an email. Being a smart driver means being protected from everything you might encounter, and being a smart shopper means getting the best for your money. We are pleased that we have been able to offer quality products from respected manufacturers since 2002.
August 24, 2010
Whistler Pro 68 SE Video
The Whistler Pro 68 SE radar detector is perhaps the best radar detector available for under $100! The Pro 68 SE is based on a tested platform and delivers great budget performance. This Pro 68 SE is one of our favorite radar detectors, and is perfect for frugal shoppers! If you want to protect yourself from speeding tickets but do not want to break the bank, the Whistler Pro 68 SE may be what you have been looking for!
August 19, 2010
Escort 9500ix Video
We consider the Escort 9500ix radar detector to be one of the best models around. Compared to other top end models, this is the only radar detector that offers so many useful features balanced with such high levels of performance. While others in the same price range exceed it in one or two areas, none of them offer such a complete package. With excellent radar detection range and reaction time, red light and speed camera notifications, software updatability and phenomenal filtering, the 9500ix offers the most for the money compared to its competition.
August 18, 2010
Escort 8500 X50 Video
The Escort 8500 X50 radar detector offers great performance, and it comes loaded with some very useful features. The Escort 8500 is available with a stylish blue display or an intense red display and comes with a SmartCord and travel case. The 8500 is a radar detector for serious drivers, so please a bit of respect.
August 17, 2010
Beltronics Vector Series Radar Detector Comparison Video
In this video we investigate a couple of mysteries. Are the Beltronics Vector series radar detectors as different in performance as Beltronics claims? What are the real differences between the Vector 940, Vector 955, and Vector 995?
August 16, 2010
Beltronics Vector 995 Video
The Beltronics Vector 995 radar detector is for those that like a good deal, want incredible performance for the money, demand reliability, and also all the options. Take the power of the 940 and 955, toss in some more features, a smart cord and even a case you have the 995. Yes, the 995 is the fearsome offspring off its powerhouse Vector parents. Some of the big boy detectors cringe when this bully is around with its affordable and amazing power!
Beltronics Vector 955 Video
The Beltronics Vector 955 radar detector is a budget powerhouse. This unassuming monster offers incredible performance for the money, good filtering, and just the right amount of features. The 955 is an industry secret. Nope nothing to see here, not perhaps the best radar detector for the dollar, nope, no price taunting, big boy challenging, police radar catching hyper machine here!
Beltronics Vector 940 Video
The Beltronics Vector 940 radar detector offer impressive performance at an insane price. If you want pure police radar detection range and sensitivity and could care less about anything else, then you might find the 940 to be one of the best radar detectors around. It has a mad price, mad performance, and might need a bit of therapy. Warning, this model is known to pick on other radar detectors, tease them and steal their significant other!
August 13, 2010
Whistler Pro 78 SE Video
The Whistler Pro 78 SE radar detector is a favorite around here. We like the budget price, good performance, and all of the features. While other models may be a bit better in one category, the total Pro 78 SE package is hard to beat.
