So in my own stupidity I was driving like a maniac down Old Ox Road trying to get to work a couple days ago completely oblivious to 2 cop cars that were sitting somewhere (still don't know where they were).

Was driving at a high rate of speed, checked my rear view mirror like normal and what do I see? Blinking lights of a Sheriff. I then exclaim "oh ****!" and turn off my k40 out of being caught by surprise.

I find a nice safe area to pull over and it begins!

Here is the initial list he was rattling off:

1. 74 in a 55
2. No front plate
3. Rear plate blocked by k40 blinder
4. No loudoun county decal
5. Failure to update address on license/failure to notify dmv of address change (apparently this is a "go to jail" offense)!!!
6. Radar detector

I'm sure he could've added:

1. Failure to signal
2. Illegal passing
3. Illegal exhaust modification

So after he's done firing off all the offenses, I finally get a word in and let him know I purchased the car with the radar detector, and that I really don't know much about it. I didn't give him any lip, and hoped for the best. He mentioned depending on my driving record I may get all 6 tickets.

Several agonizing minutes pass and I am left to sit there thinking why the hell did my k40 not trigger? When he was on my *** with his lights, it was dead silent. He also knew that I turned it off (which honestly was a knee-jerk reaction, wasn't trying to be slick).

So he comes back and I get the speeding ticket, and the radar ticket. Now my insurance will probably bend me over in the coming months, not gonna be fun. Will try the lawyer thing and see how that works out. Total ticket fines are $205 (including the ridiculous $51 processing fee). I might also have to pay a $100 fine for the decal. Which is utter BS, if I move from Fairfax to Loudoun, how the hell am I supposed to magically know I need a decal?

Anyways, looks like the k40 is obsolete.

 

You're not alone with the technology. My Valentine One is not picking up MD Poopers. The new lazer is ahead of the technology guys. I have the Pop update, and I have been missing these guys left and right.

The state decal, you're stuck with. Don't bother fighting that one. Every city in VA has it. And has for many years. I also had my V-1 dash remote taken from me. Thankfully, this is not the real detector, but they can take the equipment if they want.

My experience and suggestion is to fight for your points. That's what matters most.

Good luck.

 

idk much about radar ticket but speeding ticket can't really "bend you over" unless you are like 18 or have a nasty driving record. You should be glad that he didn't give you reckless for driving like a "maniac" like you described.

from what i know, failure to signal alone can get you a reckless ticket.

anyways, good luck.

 

Your V-1 hasn't been picking them up? That's scary...

 

Hmmm, I recieved a snail mail stating my counties decal sticker will not be needed to save the county/state money. Pay the county taxes, property taxes and such but you will not be getting a decal these days.

Was this bogus information I received in the mail?

 

In VA Bell STI is the only way to go - magnesium case wont leak and the cops cant see your detector... very expensive tho... $450.

I pick them up all the time, Loudoun detectors are ALWAYS on... only have to worry about laser which is rarely used cept by state troopers... Bell STI picks up scatter very well.

I would not sweat any of that-- why waste your money on a lawyer?

PS - I read on another thread another forum that VA will not seize your detector anylonger.... some due process thing... hope I never have to test that.

Get the STI, and hope VA does not begin to allow radar detectors, then they'll upgrade all their equipment.

 

Ken - Agreed with your comments 100%

I have a K40 System, and it pretty much blows donkey ****. I also have the STI and love the performance. Best unit next to the V1 in my opinion, and many others. The STI and 9500 I believe are the only Stealth/undetectable units on the market.

It's also my understanding that Cops in VA should no longer be able to "Confiscate" detectors.

- Rob

 

I have a Passport 8500 (about 1/3 the price of a V1) and it always picks up on laser.

 

Ha ha...I tell my friends the exact same thing all the time.

 

At least your $205 wasn't much more. While in LA last October I got pulled over in a rental car (just a plain Jane Volvo) by a cop stating I failed to stop at a red light and proceeded to turn right. He even admitted the light was yellow when I drove through it but apparently there were a couple of people on the corner and he stated he feared for their lives. I was floored by this and the best part was when he gave me my ticket he said looks like you have a birthday coming up so Happy Birthday. My birthday was the next day actually so that sucked.

Oh and in California they don't give you the cost of the ticket on site. I am not sure how this is handled in VA/MD/DC but in FL, GA, SC, and at least TX I know they list it on the ticket when you sign.

So I asked the officer when would I get the cost and he said in about 30 days. I thought that was a little off but I went about the rest of my vacation and waited for the ticket to arrive in the mail. When it did come boy did I get a surprise. In FL this ticket would have been about $75 but not in California it sure wasn't.
They hit me for $485!!!!!! I was so pissed but what can you do???????????

 

In Maryland they list the ticket cost right on the ticket itself. I remember the first time I was pulled over in VA a couple years ago and the cop handed me two sheets of paper. I asked him what my fine was and he goes "The first page is your ticket, the second page is an explanation of how to determine the fine." It was an 8x11" sheet of paper with a huge explanation of how to calculate the fine. I was like WTF are you serious?

 

Wow!!! Well I hope I don't get one of those ever

 

Brady they probably just heard you from another county away cuz your car is that freak loud. haha

 

K40's don't work and anyone that has one shouldn't rely on it. Very expensive lesson unfortunately. If you're in VA you should get an STI or STI-r. If you want full protection add a Laser Interceptor jammer.

 

I'm very surprised by this. Where do you have it mounted? I travel a lot and use my V1 all over the country and it picks up EVERYTHING. It's less than a year old so maybe my software and/or hardware is different?


+1 who cares about a couple hundred dollar ticket? Your premiums on a 911 can go up easily that much per year for 5 years depending on the points!