rx7tt95

If you're from Florida and prefer the use of radar detectors while driving, take the time to write your state senator and let them know how you feel. BTW..this Oelrich is a former cop (go figure). He correlates the 3,100+ traffic deaths in Florida on radar detectors. No really! His own words... Here's a sample letter you can use (below) and some info from Escort Radar. If it does pass, I'll find out which reps voted for it and you'll have to do your part not to vote for them in the next election. We should also be spreading this to any and every auto/motorcycle message board we can think of.

Looks like a bonehead in the state legislature is trying to ban radar detector usage in Florida. I've already written to the guy but I'd contact your local state representative. It's our right as U.S. citizens to monitor any policing force. This includes the use of radar detectors. Read on!

LEGISLATIVE ALERT
YOUR DRIVING FREEDOM IS UNDER ATTACK

Dear Florida ESCORT owner:

We are writing to inform you that your Florida State Senator Stephen Oelrich has submitted a Bill that would place a ban on radar detector use in your State.

Legislation: SB 2228
STATE OF FLORIDA
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 26, 2007

Sponsored by: Senator STEPHEN OELRICH

DISTRICT 14

SYNOPSIS
General Bill by Oelrich

Speed-measuring Devices: prohibits use of devices that detect or interfere with speed-measuring devices used by law enforcement agencies; provides that enforcement must be secondary; provides penalties. Creates 316.1907.

The proposed Bill states "A driver may not operate a motor vehicle on a street or highway in this state if the vehicle is equipped with a device that is in operating condition and readily accessible for use by the driver or any passenger and that detects, jams, or otherwise interferes with the operation of a radar, as defined in s. 316.1906, operated by a law enforcement officer."

You may view the entire proposal here: http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session.../pdf/s2228.pdf

We encourage you to take a few minutes to contact Senator Oelrich directly and let him know how you feel about this proposal. Please be sure to identify yourself, including particulars on your residence, detector ownership, driving record, and any other pertinent information.

Below, please find information that may help you organize your call, letter, or E-mail. You might also take the time to express your views on what you would like your Senator to work on instead of encroaching on driver's protection and freedoms.

Please call or send your comments immediately to:

District 14 - Steve Oelrich
R-Gainesville
oelrich.steve.web@flsenate.gov
202 Senate Office Building, 404 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 487-5020
4131 N.W. 28th Lane, Suite 4 Gainesville, FL 32606
(352) 375-3555 or (866)778-2300




Your message could be as simple as:

I, John Smith, 125 My Street, Naples, Florida, want you to know that I oppose SB 2228.

Other suggestions include a letter or email with the following:

I strongly oppose Bill 2228. A radar detector ban is an idea that just doesn't work. Research and experience both show that the state with a detector ban typically does not enjoy lower accident rates or improved speed-limit compliance when compared against neighboring states with no such restrictions. Instead, radar detector bans are difficult and expensive to enforce causing precious law enforcement resources to be diverted away from more important duties. Even the first state to adopt a detector ban, Connecticut, decided the law was ineffective and unfair. In 1992 Connecticut repealed its ban. Traffic radar is prone to misuse and mistakes. Drivers should not be denied the right to know when they are under surveillance.

While I wholeheartedly support measures that would reduce accidents, I do not believe that this proposal will have any positive impact. In fact, it has never been demonstrated that radar detectors cause accidents or even encourage motorists to driver faster than they would otherwise. The Yankelovich - Clancy - Shulman Radar Detector Study conducted in 1987 showed that radar detector users drove on average 34% further between accidents (233,933 miles versus 174,554 miles) than non radar detector users and had much higher seat belt use compliance.

I also resent the implications regarding the intentions of detector users. When speed limits, speed monitoring, citations, penalty points, license forfeiture, and insurance premiums are administered solely in the name of highway safety, Florida residents will not buy radar detectors.

In addition, radar detectors play a significant role in preventing accidents and provide a pathway toward tomorrow's Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The technology is known as the Safety Warning SystemŽ (SWS). SWS is a patented microwave technology approved by the Federal Communications Commission that alerts motorists inside their vehicles to oncoming emergency vehicles, potential road hazards, and unusual traffic conditions, enabling them to be prepared to take appropriate action. SWS equipped radar detectors pick up the transmitter signals and announce them to motorists in a variety of ways. At this time there are 10 million SWS radar detectors in use nationwide. Some receivers have a special LED that is activated by the transmitter, some display a brief text message, and some receivers even give the message to the driver in a synthesized or real voice. There are over 60 unique messages that can be displayed on an SWS equipped radar detector. Surely, lawmakers do not intend to deny the drivers of Florida the important safety benefits the Safety Warning SystemŽ will bring to our highways.

In 1998, following President Clinton's signing of the landmark Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, the federal government earmarked $2.1 million for further study of the SWS over a three-year period of time. The U.S. Department of Transportation is the government agency that is administering grants to state and local governments to purchase the system and study its effectiveness. Georgia Tech Research Institute did the original SWS development work and is the recipient of the research funding. Currently the industry owners of SWS are donating all SWS licensing proceeds in the form of SWS transmitters for school buses and emergency vehicles.

As you can see, there are many valid reasons why I oppose this Bill.

Sincerely,

(your name here)

Let's nip this in the bud before it has a chance to gain any momentum.

rx7tt95

bump to keep it at the top.

darkphantom

iTrader: (2)

and my V1 hase saved me countless times

vaughnc

Why, you have a better chance of being hit by lightning than the detector spotting a laser in time right ? And most departments don't use radar anymore.

SiKoPaThX

iTrader: (2)

Florida Highway Patrol still does. That should be good enough for everyone in the state. Either way, we don't need our freedoms infringed upon just so that state can make more money off of us.

I sent an email to Sen. Oelrich as well as every senator in my district.

vaughnc

May I suggest the "special paint job" instead

SPICcnmGT

Sounds like another blame it on something speed related instead of idiots who can't drive problem to me. Speed may magnify the accidents, but it is not what causes it. I don't know about y'all but if someone is coming toward me and I'm about to pull out or change lanes I can tell if they are coming fast/slow whatever by looking at them for about 1/2 a sec.

Sorry for the rant. Good luck with this.

SiKoPaThX

iTrader: (2)

The response I received from Senator Oelrich:
That was his response to this:

Note how he notes the number of ALL fatal accidents, regardless of cause...and then attributes many of them to speed.

Even IF every single one of those accidents was caused by speed, you would have to show me that more than half of the people who caused the accident were using detectors.

Also note how he refers to me as "Chris" even though I signed the letter "Christopher Lipson".

It's one thing not to refer to me formally as Mr. Lipson as one should speak to another if you do no know them, it's another to use an informal shortening of my first name as a friend or acquaintance would.

Very poor showing by Sen. Oelrich.

I'm not going to respond further to him, because I am not in his district and he knows my vote doe not count for him, but I am very interested to see what the Senators who are in my district say.

G's 3rd Gen

iTrader: (11)

I would attribute more wrecks to people who should not be on the roads (elderly) in Florida. Not stereotyping. I mean the ones that cant see anymore. Which seems to be alot lately from my experience of near accidents. G

FD3S2005

iTrader: (11)

make a new law that every 20-30 years you need to renew the license or something like that for the elderly.. acually almost got into an accident today because of one (not in the 7).

anewconvert

iTrader: (1)

Then I must have been hit by lightning a couple times by now.


120 in a 55. Cop over 1/2 a mile away shoots the two cars in front of me first. Laser detector picked up both shots and gave me more than sufficient time to slow down before he shot me. (I was 17. i was an idiot. I dont need a lecture.)

70 in a 55. Cop on an overpass hits three cars in front of me with a laser. Detector goes bonkers. I slow down. All three cars in front of me are pulled over by a wolf pack on the otherside of the overpass.

In both cases if Ihad been the only car on the road it would have done nothing for me. However if I were the only car on the road I wouldnt be speeding.

I used to drive with a radar detector all the time, but since I purchased my first RX7 over a year ago I stopped using it. In fact I accidently left it in my vert when I sold it so I dont have a detector anymore. If you use your brain then you can usually get a good idea of where the cops will be radaring from. Always run with a blocker in front of you if you are speeding, look for white lines painted on the road for planes, and watch your rearview for pacers.



BC

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

This is BS!! First of all, have they done studies about cops on the side of the interstate and how many rubber neckers cause accidents because they are looking at the cops or because they slam on the brakes because they see a state trooper?

I used to live in St. Pete and I've gotten 2 tickets there. One by radar and one by vascar (timing 1/4 mile, marked road). Both were insane amounts of money because I was out of state. First ticket costed me over 400 and second I paid 125 or so and had to spend 8 hours in a class room. I F*cking hate FL statetroopers and St. Pete cops! Those tickets were the last speeding ticket I've gotten (8 years ago).

Skylance

This is BS!!!! The only places that have a ban on radar detectors are Virginia and DC. I should know, I was up there visiting my parents this weekend and got a ticket for having mine. I wasn't even speeding, cop just pulled me over and gave me a ticket for just the radar detector. Its ridiculous. These laws are BS, please guys, don't let Florida pass this bill.

Tyblat

I've had an email conversation going on with him, heres the contents so far

Roy,



Thank you for taking the time to write me a sincere message. As a former Sheriff and a current Senator, I feel that saving lives is the top priority for the State of Florida. In the year 2005, there were 3,543 deaths due to traffic accidents. This number could heavily decrease in the future if citizens of Florida would decrease their speed. If you would like to see what other bills I am working on please go to: http://www.flsenate.gov/Legislators/...ct_num_link=14



Again, I appreciate your comments.







Sincerely,

Senator Oelrich


my response:

Senator, In your response to your email, you said " In the year 2005, there were 3,543 deaths due to traffic accidents. This number could heavily decrease in the future if citizens of Florida would decrease their speed."

While that may be completely true, you failed to show that radar detectors were directly related to or caused the traffic accidents. There are many factors involved in automobile accidents in Florida. The causes of those accidents I highly doubt were the result of radar detector use.

thank you for taking the time to read this.

- Roy

His response:

Roy,



I just have one question. Why do people purchase radar detectors? Police are not the enemy; they are here to help and make sure citizens are obeying the law. Speed limits are a law. Speed limits were created for safety purposes. Speed limits should be followed.



Again, I appreciate your comments.



And my response up until now

While I can't vouch for everyone else, The reason I own a radar detector is simply to allow myself to know when I am under surveillance. I personally think that on a country that was built upon the basis of freedom, we should at least have the right to know when we are being watched and monitored. I don't believe police are the enemy at all You are right senator, speed limits were created for safety purposes. I'm sure that the accidents in Florida werent related to the fact that radar detectors were in use, as many of them aren't effective against all types of police radar.

If I had to say, I'd suggest that the cause of such accidents were drunk driving.

My only argument to this bill, senator, Is that I believe this is a free country and Floridians should have the right to know when they are being monitored. Detectors dont stop police radar, they simply let us know they are there.

FD3S2005

iTrader: (11)

nice ^.. but cant u put the radar away from the dash and put it some where else in the car where the cops cant see or would it not be effective unless on the dash/window

vspecpgt

woot woot! just sent an email to him, my district senator and my district representative.