| For most people, driving the speed limit is just | | | | category. Active jammers constitute a mere |
| common sense. The safer you drive, the less | | | | 10%; however, it is important to note that this |
| likely you are to be in an accident. Unfortunately, | | | | type is considered illegal by the US federal |
| not everyone feels that way. There are, and will | | | | government since December 1997. |
| always be, a select group of people who forget | | | | Since radar jammers are purchased for the |
| that highways are not international speedways. | | | | purpose of avoiding a speeding ticket, it would |
| For these people, avoiding a speeding ticket can | | | | only make sense that marketing and |
| be tricky. With the use of radar jammers, | | | | advertisements would try to emphasize their |
| however, it is becoming increasingly common for | | | | effectiveness. What they fail to mention, |
| them to avoid being caught. A radar detector | | | | however, is that passive radar jamming units are |
| jammer scrambles the signals emitted from | | | | only effective within about 100 feet from the |
| detector radar devices, allowing the speeder to | | | | speed gun. |
| get away. | | | | Since most people are much farther away when |
| Radar jammers, as the name signifies, are | | | | their speeds are recorded, these models are just |
| compact devices used primarily to scramble | | | | shy of useless. Illegal active devices are much |
| detector radar signals, particularly those emanating | | | | more effective in preventing your speed from |
| from speed guns used by policemen. Now that | | | | being detected; however, the result can easily be |
| you know, you'll probably ask, "Are they legal?" | | | | jail time and/or hefty fines, when the unit is |
| While purchase of a radar detector jammer is | | | | discovered. Both active and passive radar |
| permissible by law, the now amended | | | | detector jammer units can be purchased in |
| Communications Act of 1934 clearly stipulates | | | | today's market, especially online. Active jammers |
| that intentional use of a radar detector jammer | | | | come with hefty price tags, sometimes exceeding |
| will be construed as malicious interference. | | | | $1,500. |
| Contravention of these laws can invite heavy | | | | So how are police fighting back against this |
| fines and/or imprisonment. Before investing in a | | | | technology? Many policemen and state patrol are |
| radar jamming unit, it would be advisable to first | | | | now able to detect when radar jammers are |
| check state laws governing their ownership and | | | | being used, and are able to pull a driver over for |
| use, as well as the models and types permitted. | | | | this. Additionally, the speed guns used nowadays |
| There are basically two types of car radar | | | | are extremely advanced and much more difficult |
| jamming devices available; active and passive. | | | | to jam. For most, testing their unit's effectiveness |
| Several models are available with approximately | | | | by speeding past a state patrolman probably |
| 90% of the models falling within the latter | | | | doesn't seem like the wisest option. |