RADAR Detectors, only for hoons?

[flappist]

I tripped across this while looking for antennas.

http://www.adrawa.com.au/sws.htm

In WA, radar detectors are being used to save lives and warn about danger ahead including attending ambulances, traveling farming equipment, roadworks etc.

In all other states the penalty for possession of one of these things is all of your points and several thousand dollars fine.

Whoda thunk that the state government of WA would be the first legislature that actually was more concerned with people's safety than speed camera revenue?

I have read so many dribbles from wowsers against higher speed limits citing "what if there was an unexpected tractor" etc. Well here is the solution to that problem. It would also warn against black spots because as we all know speed cameras and radar enforcement is only ever done in dangerous places and never safe places as it is all about saving lives not making money......

Now reversing the spin, "If it saves only one life"..........

[b2tf]

I think I may be missing something. How does a radar detector pick up a tractor up ahead, or roadworks?

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by b2tf

I think I may be missing something. How does a radar detector pick up a tractor up ahead, or roadworks?

This...

I think someone is confusing a radar detector, that only detects radar, with an actual radar that scan the terrain, ala sci fi movies.


Edit, looks like it's reliant on hazards having their own transponder type setups.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by b2tf

I think I may be missing something. How does a radar detector pick up a tractor up ahead, or roadworks?

The link is about trialing SWS transmitters commonly used in Europe to mark dangers such as snow etc.
They are low powered K band beacons that set of radar detectors and on new ones send a short message like "SNOW" or "EMG VEH" or "SLOW VEH".

The idea is that they are quick to set up, can be moving and give give a continuous warning for up to a kilometre from the danger giving plenty of time to take the appropriate action but do not add and extra danger of a temporary sign that be blown over in wind or be hit by a vehicle or missed in low visibility.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by flappist

The link is about trialing SWS transmitters commonly used in Europe to mark dangers such as snow etc.
They are low powered K band beacons that set of radar detectors and on new ones send a short message like "SNOW" or "EMG VEH" or "SLOW VEH".

The idea is that they are quick to set up, can be moving and give give a continuous warning for up to a kilometre from the danger giving plenty of time to take the appropriate action but do not add and extra danger of a temporary sign that be blown over in wind or be hit by a vehicle or missed in low visibility.

Are these signals being used in Aus? I have picked up various beacons here and there but always wondered why SWS on the display meant... Sometimes would be on a weird empty location approaching a town, or a suburban intersection. False alarms?

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by flappist

The link is about trialing SWS transmitters commonly used in Europe to mark dangers such as snow etc.
They are low powered K band beacons that set of radar detectors and on new ones send a short message like "SNOW" or "EMG VEH" or "SLOW VEH".

The idea is that they are quick to set up, can be moving and give give a continuous warning for up to a kilometre from the danger giving plenty of time to take the appropriate action but do not add and extra danger of a temporary sign that be blown over in wind or be hit by a vehicle or missed in low visibility.

Same way as air craft is picked up on Radar & identified....transponders.
These SWS type radars will not pick up speed radars as some people might think.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by trublu

Same way as air craft is picked up on Radar & identified....transponders.
These SWS type radars will not pick up speed radars as some people might think.

Really?

You might want to check your facts.

They operate on 24.150 Ghz, exactly the same frequency as KR10 mobile radars and QLD speed cameras.

There are many WA people on here who actually own these things and know exactly what they can do.

[wookie836]

Originally Posted by b2tf

I think I may be missing something. How does a radar detector pick up a tractor up ahead, or roadworks?

dunno bout tractors, but speed detectors in WA can pick up the larger flashing signs at roadworks, typically the ones that say merge left, roadwork ahead and the same ones that can tell you how fast you are going [too fast, slow down]. the laser seems to be active when they are on. my old detector would pick them up from about a km away on the straights when they were building the forrest hwy to bunbury.

[Rapid5.4]

I can confirm that they pick up some tractors. Many of the tractors I work on have a radar to measure ground speed to compare to wheel speed so they know when the tyres are slipping.
My radar detector in my ute picks them up when they are on the road and sometimes when they are working in the paddocks along the road. It has been pretty handy. Our cops here in WA don't seem to like them. If you do have one on your dashboard when you get pulled over it can affect the cops attitude.

[mcnews]

Yes ambulances etc. put out a signal and the radar detector gives out emergency vehicle alerts. It did me a great deal of good on Great Eastern Highway up in the hills one night, alerted me to nearly the full road closed just up ahead around a blind bend in a 110 zone....

[Bucknaked]

Found this linki

http://www.adrawa.com.au/Surveys%20a...%20in%20WA.pdf

[Spurious]

I have a few opinions on this controversial issue. It's a double edged sword, similar to smoking. Government wants us to quit the cigs but they soak up the revenue from the tax on each packet sold. I also believe that police and government prefer to keep the balance of power squarely on their side of the court.
I guess they believe that we the people can't be trusted to do the right thing in 90% of any particilar instance. Speed camera's DO save lives but they don't always appear in the most appropriate locations. The gov' uses them to raise revenue, theres no question about that.
I was fined for speeding once, but i didn't aquire any demerit points. Leaving me free to do it again with apparently no absolute resolution for getting me to slow down. Just pay the fine and im free to do it again!
As for the power wielding, why do police have the power to force their decisions on us when we can do it for ourselves with our own and others safety in mind. Example: i was fined recently and aquired 1 demerit point for allegedly following too close to a vehicle in front. What got the cops attention was my aggressive acceleration onto a slip lane entry to a highway (110 zone). The cop car was 150m behind me after it entered the highway (too far behind to judge any distance regarding my car and the one in front) followed me for 4 k's then stopped me. The cop said to me he saw me brake as i was too close to the car in front of me on the slip lane, i said i braked so i wouldn't get too close to it!
I argued the point, was threatened with hooning and detainment unless i shut my mouth. The cop said i could "see him in court" but with a speeding fine from 12 months ago (kindly brought up by the cop) he convinced me not to pursue a court date to dispute the "too close" fine. Officer 2882, of the Devonport station...i think your a bully!
Give us the freedom to choose to make the right choices, you'd be suprised how well we could do without intervention. Look at picadilly circus traffic intersection in london. It was chaos with lights and signs everywhere, resulting in driver confusion. Authorities removed all the clutter and let the traffic look after itself. Suprisingly drivers are navigating that intersection really well.
The changes forced drivers to actually pay attention to each other and communicate!

[Spurious]

I suppose i should say something about the detectors...if they can help drivers make better decisions then why not legalise them in all states.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

Speed camera's DO save lives

Please explain how speed cameras that you do not know are there save lives?

And if your answer is "They can be anywhere so you will never speed" pushing the spin that exceeding the speed limit is the only cause of death anywhere then using the same logic everyone should carry a gun and there would be no crime as all criminals would risk being immediately shot.....

[XR Craig]

To get a good one it cost a lot. You would have to get a lot of speeding fines to make it worthwhile. Not to mention if they pull you over and see it you loose it.
Not worth it I recon. Just drive smarter

[GhiaEB]

Originally Posted by XR Craig

Not to mention if they pull you over and see it you loose it.
Not worth it I recon. Just drive smarter

Not in WA, where they are legal and where the op was talking about. Australia is a lot larger than just Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

[XR Craig]

Forgot we had more Austalia over there.

[Spurious]

Originally Posted by flappist

Please explain how speed cameras that you do not know are there save lives?

And if your answer is "They can be anywhere so you will never speed" pushing the spin that exceeding the speed limit is the only cause of death anywhere then using the same logic everyone should carry a gun and there would be no crime as all criminals would risk being immediately shot.....

In tassie the mobile speed camera units (klugers) dont have to display obvious signs to warn oncoming drivers. They also rarely park in the same spot. So yes...they could be anywhere so watch your speed.
I've been back in tas for 4.5 yrs and i've done speeding twice. First was me reliving my youth on old stomping grounds (backroads) my first month here and last year got done passing a truck on dual lane hwy (bike cop...nice guy too!) . As for the gun comment, who gets shot first...the crim or the victim?

[Spurious]

If the thought of having a speed camera round the corner stops just 1 driver from flying then it's doing a good job. I'm wary of them cause i already give enough doe to the government.

[Kable72]

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

If the thought of having a speed camera round the corner stops just 1 driver from flying then it's doing a good job. I'm wary of them cause i already give enough doe to the government.

Why are you giving the goverment deer and not me some deer. I want some deer. Gimme deer.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

As for the gun comment, who gets shot first...the crim or the victim?

Obviously the crim.

Like with speed cameras innocent people have nothing to fear.

It is always comforting to know that if your loved ones are killed by a drunk, drugged out, unlicensed idiot in an unregistered stolen vehicle travelling at 200km/h in an active school zone there is a possibility that a hidden speed camera fine might have been issued a few minutes before the incident..........

Of course in WA after such an incident a SWS beacon would warn all the motorists with RDs that there were attending ambulances and possibly a blocked road ahead.

[Bucknaked]

Are there other devices you an use that are not radar detectors, yet can pick up the message?. It would be good if modern cars had these options for their radio

[RSgerry]

Occasionally they talk of banning them over here. For 'safety' reasons of course. Nothing to do with protecting a revenue stream. They were last talking about 6 months ago, but AFAIK it hasn't gone anywhere.

Oddly, it is usually whoever happens to be in opposition that accuses the government of the day of not being serious about road safety as said govt hasn't banned them, then when opposition win government, they do nothing and the new opposition make a lot of the same noises.

[zilo]

You can buy shielded units that are undetectable to police detectors.

I've had one for years.

[kyro_02]

Originally Posted by zilo

You can buy shielded units that are undetectable to police detectors.

I've had one for years.

"how dare you, do you realize how many insects you've killed with this weapon?"

Can't wait until VIC will legalize it...it's a big ask, but wishful thinking :P

[Bent8]

A few years ago when the WAPOL were using KA band (radar) cameras, it was a lot easier to pick them up sometimes up to 1km away but with the current laser (instant on) cameras, my V1 (latest firmware) will give me 3-4sec warning at best.

If the police think it's reasonable to hide their speed cameras, then I have the right to know where they are, simple as that.

And I think every good driver should be allowed to have one for peace of mind.

[blue_ute]

As someone who actually has a radar detector I can honestly say it does go off for other things not just ambulances also if on the freeway in Perth and if theirs an incident the detector picks it up but for those so concerned about safety when an ambulance is nearby it goes off with a huge alarm giving plenty of time to get out of the way cause we've all seen the slow , nervouse and plain stupid sit in the way of ambulances

[Crazy Dazz]

Seems to me there’s two completely different subjects here?
I don’t know if this is the same system, but I remember a while back they were plugging satnav systems that would also advise you of real-time road closures, speed restrictions, etc. Something like that, if it could also pick up emergency signals would undoubtedly be a good thing.
But as for the underlying premise of radar detectors, well there basic purpose to allow you to break the law without fear of getting caught. So the question is more whether a person exceeding the decreed speed limit is a “hoon.” It seems to me that people would have more respect for speed limits if they actually made sense.

[superpursuit83]

My detector is great.. It always reminds you to check your speed whenever it beeps, it tells me when emergency services are near me, it warns of roadworks (If they are using the new gear that sends the signal) and I have picked up some earthmoving equipment that run laser and satelite hardware.
As mentioned it was great with KA band Multinovas but the new radar cameras are way too quick for my Beltronic detector. The safest way now is dont speed and watch out for ANY wagon on the side of the road. My detector is useless with the cameras that hide in front of a car and snap you from behind. And if you hear "Laser Alert" you better be bloody quick on the brakes.
I have had normal detectors for 10 years and they may have saved me 3 or 4 fines. The rest of the time they are a handy "Safty Warning Device"

I am however surprised that WA still allows them. And when I travel east the detector comes off before the border and gets put safely away, not used again until returning home.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by superpursuit83

My detector is great.. It always reminds you to check your speed whenever it beeps, it tells me when emergency services are near me, it warns of roadworks (If they are using the new gear that sends the signal) and I have picked up some earthmoving equipment that run laser and satelite hardware.
As mentioned it was great with KA band Multinovas but the new radar cameras are way too quick for my Beltronic detector. The safest way now is dont speed and watch out for ANY wagon on the side of the road. My detector is useless with the cameras that hide in front of a car and snap you from behind. And if you hear "Laser Alert" you better be bloody quick on the brakes.
I have had normal detectors for 10 years and they may have saved me 3 or 4 fines. The rest of the time they are a handy "Safty Warning Device"

I am however surprised that WA still allows them. And when I travel east the detector comes off before the border and gets put safely away, not used again until returning home.

Another trick is that they usually go off about 1-2 seconds before a traffic light goes amber giving you a bit of extra time to start slowing down which is useful especially if the driver behind you is a "competent driver" who spends more time watching his speedo than other vehicles and traffic trends and is much more likely to run into you.