RAC calls for radar detector ban
24 April 2009
As double-demerit points kick in for the ANZAC Day long weekend, the RAC says our State MPs are refusing to confront the issue of motorists avoiding speeding fines by using radar detectors.
The RAC sent a simple three question survey to all members of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council asking whether they would support a ban on the sale and use of radar detectors in Western Australia.
Despite being assured that individual responses would remain confidential, only 15 of our State’s 93 MPs responded. Eleven of the respondents supported the ban of radar detectors.
The RAC has now forced the issue by writing to the Road Safety Minister calling for the immediate introduction of legislation to ban the sale and use of radar detectors in Western Australia.
RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said the continued use of radar detectors completely undermined the road safety message.
“Every holiday long weekend we mount a very expensive police road safety blitz on our roads to target speeding motorists,” Mr Brown said.
“What is the point of that if we continue to allow a growing number of motorists to speed with impunity because they have bought radar detectors?
“The sale and use of these products promotes a culture of speeding and irresponsible driving. It sends a message to the community that speed limits do not apply to all motorists and can be ignored for the price of a radar detector.
“We’ve heard all the hollow excuses about motorists only using radar detectors for safety purposes.
“A quick visit to the websites of the firms that sell these devices exposes the truth.
“The retailers are brazen about their marketing pitch. It is all about avoiding speeding fines.
“Motorists are spending as much as $2,500 for these devices and they expect a return through not having to pay speeding fines.”
Mr Brown said local retailers were also encouraging and assisting motorists in other States to break the law by selling into those markets where radar detectors are banned and encouraging motorists to buy radar detectors which can’t be detected by the police.
“So they are actively supporting motorists in other States to break the law in relation to both speeding and the use of these devices.”
From the websites of WA radar detector suppliers:
Tired of costly speeding fines and increasing demerit points? Good News - You can now protect your license with the highest quality radar and laser defence equipment on the market. Don't give another penny of your hard earned dollars to the revenue raising system!
Radar Detectors give you a fair chance on the road and pay for themselves over time.
Our Top Choice for WA: Widely known for giving the longest range against multanova cameras.
If you are outside an area where multanova cameras are used then even a basic radar detector will give you time against highway patrol radar traps. However, if you are in an area where multanova cameras are used and you actually want enough time to slow down you have 3 options.
Recommended for WA use only, this high performance radar detector is widely known for consistently giving users the longest range against multanova cameras in a portable unit. Its unique signal indicator will help you identify where a speed traps is located in relation to your car.
WA: Select the (brand deleted) for the longest range against multanova cameras!
What we can tell you is that police typically are not legally able to target a car more than 600 metres from their position. With radar detectors it is important to purchase a product that you know functions well in Australia.
(Brand deleted) Computer + Radar Detection offers unparalleled protection from police laser.
Nearly four times the range of the “best multanova detector” there is no doubt if you demand the best equipment you simply cannot look past a (brand deleted).
Download the release