Virginia has proposed changes in speed limits and on the use of radar. The state has proposed the increase in speed limit from 65 to 70 mph in the rural areas. They are also looking at allowing the use of radar. They said that they are the only state that bans them so they may allow them.

 

Glad they raised the speed limit to 70, doubt our legislature will ever eliminate the ban on radar detectors. Speeding tickets raise revenue, that's what politicians want !

 

I am really happy to hear this it is 70 mph in West Virginia, why not Virginia?

 

I hope both of those measures pass! However, it seems like a longshot. It wasn't that long ago that VA had $3000 fines for reckless driving and DUI.

 

20MPH over = Reckless in VA.

The laws here are pretty aweful. That being said... I would rather be in VA, than DC or MD. Those camera's in DC and MD are ruthless.

 

No. Revenue from speeding tickets is not the issue. If it WAS the issue, speed limits wouldn't be going up in the first place.

Detectors also have been banned in VA for good reasons. When you have a lot of people using detectors, you have a situation where some drivers are driving at quite high speeds (and evading police detection), and others stay close to the limit. That creates a constant mix-and-pass situation. With detectors banned, there is more consistancy in average road speeds.....though, of course, you will always have some scofflaws that are determined to speed at any cost.

 

I live in MD and will take my chances here, VA cops are crazy especially FFX county. I don't go to DC much so not worried about that.

 

We have red-light cameras in parts of VA, but not speed cameras.

Many states have reckless-driving statutes in the 20-25 MPH range above the speed limit....VA is not unique here. And no one forces you to drive at those reckless-driving speeds in the first place.....you always have the option of slowing down.

And with the enormous amount of snow that VA and MD have received lately (an insane amount), it is all the more important to keep speeds down. Roads won't be back to normal for a long time.

 

Montgomery County, MD has red-light cameras almost everywhere, and a widespread network of speed cameras as well. The speed cameras are usually preceeded by roadside signs warning you of photo-enforcement and to slow down. If you don't slow down, you get zapped, though they usually don't go off unless you are more than 10 MPH over the limit, to allow for speedometer error and other factors.

 

Sounds good to me.

 

I side with the other 49 states in allowing the use of detectors for non-commercial vehicles. I use one on long trips as a safety tool.

 

Having 2 radar detectors, laser jammers front and rear, a CB radio, and a police band scanner I whole heartily the lawful use of any and all countermeasures in that state.

 

With all due respect, I fail to see how having (and using) a snitch-box in the vehicle adds to the safety component, especially if you are accelerating/braking up and down with the number of beeps you get. Safety is usually enhanced with smooth, even flows of traffic (as long as it is not too fast for conditions)......something you often don't have when people are all driving at different speeds, or varying their speed. And, of course, the snitch-box, in some cases, won't save you from Instant-On radar (unless one or more people in front of you get zapped first).

Some of things that have given VA a relatively good traffic-safety reputation over the years are moderate/reasonable (but not excessively low) speed limits, a no-nonsense traffic-enforcement system, relatively good-condition roads, and the fact that minimal detector-use (because of the ban) generates more evenly-flowing traffic on the Interstates, without either excessive speed or too-slow drivers. Of course, traffic congestion in the NoVA/D.C. area is very serious (2nd worst in the country outside of L.A.), and that, of course, prevents a lot of speeding in itself.

 

With all due respect, I can understand your view, having not used one and driving in a unique small and heavily populated state (from a driver's standpoint many consider it a police state) as VA.

Conditions are very different in many parts of the wide-open western states and the tools required can be different too. Safety is enhanced by smooth drivers aware of conditions including police presence.

 

Your state (CA) is like mine (VA) in that it has both rural, free-flowing traffic areas and some of the worst urban/suburban traffic in the country. And, as far as a "police state" goes, CA laws that regulate autos and driving are among the toughest in the country......everything from CARB and emissions, car model availability, registration, speed limits, gasoline blends, motor vehicle taxes.....you name it. CA is also the home of one of the country's most outspoken vehicle critics....Arianna Huffington. Radar detectors (one of the thread topics) are one of the very few things that your state is more permissive in than mine....perhaps the only one.