Pennsylvania radar rules

RADARB8 · #6 (**permalink**) 2008-12-10

Quote:

Originally Posted by drkshdw983

I was heading home from my college (Williamsport PA, to Binghamton, NY) when I got a speeding ticket. I got the ticket on rt. 220 northbound in Towanda, PA for doing 71 in a 55, here is my recount of the situation.

I was driving in the northbound lane on a rather large stretch of straight road in an otherwise winding route home when my radar detector (beltronics RX65) detected k-band radar. Unfortunately it detected it too late. I looked around for the officer and saw nothing. It was very late at night (about midnight) and there was no other traffic on the road at the time. As I went down the road a little further I saw the officer turn on his lights. Parking and headlights first, then flashers. I signaled and pulled over to the side of the road.

The officer approached my car and was very rude to me through out the stop. The first thing he said to me was the usual smart-a$$ remark I get from cops "radar detector ain't workin' too good is it?"... before I had a chance to respond he asked me for my license and registration. I'm always very polite with officers hoping one day I'll get a warning... I won't hold my breath... but I make sure I take all the extra steps to make them comfortable at the stop. The next thing he asks me is what I use my CB radio for. I told him that I use it to get traffic conditions and weather and he finishes my sentence by cutting me off and saying "and to ask where the stateys are right?" After telling me I was doing 71 in a 55 he returned to his car.

When he came back he gave me 2 citations, one for speeding and one for "windshield obstructions", namely my CB and radar detector. He made sure to inform me that if I didn't respond to the tickets that there would be an arrest warrant out in my name (part of his job) and that he would personally hunt me down at my college if I didn't respond (not part of his job). Then we parted ways.

I have a couple questions for everyone:
1.) I have heard from a few people that it is illegal for police to take speed measurements after sunset without some lights on (even if it's just parking lights)... any truth to this?
2.) I can see my wipers over my cb (located on top of my dash) and my radar detector is only 2 inches wide and .5 inches tall and located by my rear view mirror... no bigger than the mirrors with the fancy compass and what not in them... so that ticket is just stupid... how can I go about proving that in court?
3.) short of the lights thing, does anyone see anything else I can use for ammo in court when I fight the ticket?

Hello, my name is Greg and today i registered on the forum. There is some good info here. I reside in Md. and thinking about purchasing a Blinder 25 for my Z06 vette. Anyway, about this thread, I app. 2yrs. ago purchased a download called CASE DISMISSED! their web site was called [www.BeatMySpeedingTicket.com] I thought it was a great read. It was NOT free . maybe $35.00..Have you or anyone else ever purchase it? If so please chime in. Also i am a retired teamster truck driver, but i occasionaly haul the U.S. MAIL and in Pa. or any state for that matter the points are accessed if found guilty. And in Md. 71 in a 55 zone is 2 pts.

Anyway just thought i would mention the web site, and good luck on beating that ticket. ps.. also i think that obstruction BS is probably just a small fine . but the speeding will not only cost more,, but points Will be added if proven guilty.

Speed Trap Hunter · #7 (**permalink**) 2008-12-10

I am not familiar with this particular program, but the National Motorists Association offers a legal defense kit that can be rented monthly for merely $30.

Motorists.org - Legal Defense Kit

I would recommend anyone interested in protecting their driving freedoms to join this non-profit organization for a nominal amount.

STH

RADARB8 · #8 (**permalink**) 2008-12-10

Will certainly join!!! thanks GREG O.

Speed Trap Hunter · #9 (**permalink**) 2008-12-10

RADARB8,

Good deal. I think you will be pleased with your membership and your membership dues will be put to good use.

The NMA also provides a nice bi-monthly newsletter/mini-magazine that is always an enjoyable and informative read.

For others on the fence, these are some of the other benefits your membership brings you:

Member Benefits - National Motorists Association

STH

drkshdw983 · #10 (**permalink**) 2009-01-13

Well I did not get good results. I went to court and followed the advice of Veil Guy. I requested that the Windshield obstruction charge be dropped and the speeding to be plead down to a PA3111a. I don't think I had a chance no matter what I said. They did not drop the obstruction charge even after explaining that they did not block my view at all. I asked if that meant that all dash board and windshield mounted GPS units were illegal to operate in PA also and the judge replied that they were. I also asked if there were any legal places to mount my CB Radio and Radar detector. He told me that the radio could be mounted into or under the dash board and that there was no place for the radar detector to be legal. I think I was straight up lied to but who knows. As for the speeding, he reduced it to 65 in a 55, instead of the cited 71mph.

Thanks to all those who replied, I really appreciate the help and advice. If anyone else finds themselves in a similar situation and you're not a college student in a ricer civic maybe that defense will work for you. As for me, I'll just vent my frustration through my middle finger when I pass speed traps haha.