Yes. It is ambiguous as to whether the usage of the detector is immoral.
Using it in direct violation of the law would be wrong.
Other usage is not.
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Using it in direct violation of the law would be wrong.
Other usage is not.
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CWBetts
Guest
Even if it is not illegal to use a a radar detector, I would still argure that it is immoral to use one for the purpose of evading the law. You dodged the question. What is a moral use?
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Nick_in_MB
Guest
A moral use to the radar detector?
I’m gathering that you’re trying to find out if there’s anything useful to using one. I could probably ask that about a number of devices, though.
A police scanner, there’s really no practical use to having one. Perhaps in an emergency situation, like a wildfire, it can be used to gather information just like watching the news. But then there is a “cops” quality to is too, as you can hear about people running red light, domestic violence issues. Sometimes, I’ve even heard license numbers read out.
Sat. radio. Really, it’s useless. You pay money to listen to songs that you don’t own, listen to commercials, or hear people talk. Regular radio has all that. In addition, I can hear people curse, regular radio doesn’t have that (and when they do, they get fired). But, I don’t have to listen to the “xl” channels.
So maybe a radar detector is just one of those useless things if it isn’t being used for immoral actions.
I’m gathering that you’re trying to find out if there’s anything useful to using one. I could probably ask that about a number of devices, though.
A police scanner, there’s really no practical use to having one. Perhaps in an emergency situation, like a wildfire, it can be used to gather information just like watching the news. But then there is a “cops” quality to is too, as you can hear about people running red light, domestic violence issues. Sometimes, I’ve even heard license numbers read out.
Sat. radio. Really, it’s useless. You pay money to listen to songs that you don’t own, listen to commercials, or hear people talk. Regular radio has all that. In addition, I can hear people curse, regular radio doesn’t have that (and when they do, they get fired). But, I don’t have to listen to the “xl” channels.
So maybe a radar detector is just one of those useless things if it isn’t being used for immoral actions.
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Eddie_Mac
Guest
No dodge at all. I can think of at least one use that is perfectly moral right off the top of my head.
A traffic study.
Utilizing a radar detector for gathering some of the data.
Is a heavily radar patrolled road really safer?
Is the average speed really more in line with the speed limit?
So there you go. A perfectly moral usage.
How about another…I am simply curious to see if I am being pinged.
Fullfillment of curiosity is not immoral.
Another moral usage.
That is two.
How about immoral uses…
Just one. Detection of law enforcement devices for the purpose of breaking the just traffic law.
It appears that there are more moral uses available then immoral ones.
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CWBetts
Guest
Number of moral uses vs, immoral uses is irrelevant. Frequency of said use is much more valid. For example, if 2% of dectoer usage is for study and 10% vor curiosity sake, and I feel I am being generous here, that leaves 88% for evading the law. Lest be honest here. The vast majority of radar detector use is for evasion of the law. As for your “study”, I have never heard of such a study using this methodology. If the majority was for curiosity, then I wonder how the term “fuzzbuster” came into common parlance?
I can agree there, but keep in mind that in the statement you make, there is agreement that there are moral uses.
If there are moral uses, then use of a radar detector is morally justifiable.
The question becomes ‘under what circumstances?’ and I believe that is covered well in this thread as well.
Now that is a term I haven’t heard in a loooong time.
I imagine the term came into usage with the most common use of the detector.
But then, the common usage of an item may have little to do with the morality of using it.
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aspawloski4th
Guest
This question is mainly for CWBetts. I’m just wondering something. How valuable is the commodity of time to you? When I get an answer I’ll explain why I’m asking.
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CWBetts
Guest
Valuable enough to plan accordingly
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BiologyBrain
Guest
You’re very lucky & must have very good judgement. Congrats. I hazard a guess that many drivers don’t have that great of judgement - hence the act that they don’t always pay attention. Its a judgement call to pay attention or not (fiddle w/ the stereo or not, text message or not, etc). Most people don’t pay attention to their speed, get going too fast, then also get distracted by something else (phone, radio, scenery, etc). Speed can & does kill both the guilty party & innocent victims. Most people greatly overestimate their abilities in many areas - driving included. That’s just the way things are for the most part. The fact that you’ve been lucky doesn’t actually mean that you’ve got great judgement - it just means you’ve been lucky & must have a very active guardian angel.
I personally try to follow the rules b/c I realize they were put into place for a reason - just just whim. I don’t think they’re all that hard to follow. Nor do I think they put undue strain on anyone. I’m pendantic - can’t really help it!
I respect law enforcement officers for their willingness to face and protect a hostile public. I respect legislators for trying to protect an unwilling public. I don’t respect people who think they’re above the law - regardless of their class (law enforcement, legislator, public citizen, etc) and I despise that they give others a bad name &/or risk other people’s lives.
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aspawloski4th
Guest
As someone who most of his adult life doesn’t what it’s like to have the time to do what I like, even one minute of wasted time is a tragedy to me. I value time tons more than even health.
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CWBetts
Guest
So you are too selfish to be bothered with submitting to legitimate authority? Please tell me that this is not waht you mean. Please tell me that you can actually think about things besides what you want. I sincerely hope I am wrong.
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aspawloski4th
Guest
I’m the ultimate getting done mode person. Whether its things I have to do like my disabled wife’s doctors appointments or its a family get together. I believe better late than never is a copout. Im a ridgid planner, who keeps my ducks in a row. I went to Catholic highschool where if you got to school late you got a detention. Thats as it should be. Yes I plan accordingly but when something infringes on those plans I make up for it also.
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AHapka
Guest
Since I was assigned to the interstate unit, it was mainly a straight across guideline for us. Weather conditions would have an impact as did other mitigating factors (i.e. weaving in and out of traffic, reason for speeding, etc). The interstate here is a 12 mile straight stretch that deviates all of 1-2 degrees through the county and it’s a good road surface.
In the winter when it’s icy and snowy, the average speed is usually well enough below the speed limit that if someone causes an accident because they are going faster then everyone else and lose control, we write them for too fast for conditions. Also, in rainy or foggy conditions most people would slow down and we didn’t have many speeders. Not to mention that we use laser only which works only in light rain or light fog.
Our discretion wasn’t taken away in this, but the idea was that by having a set number you generally end up treating everybody the same. It avoids complaints of discrimination and/or bias. We were allowed to make exceptions for cause (and I did), but the Lieutenant didn’t want us doing that often.
Also, on a clear day, you could easily write 9 or more speed citations for 15 or more over. So there really didn’t seem to be much sense in targeting vehicles going slower then that.
Personally, I also thought that the vehicle was also a factor. There is a very big difference, in my opinion, between a good condition BMW (and any modern car, really) doing 75 as compared to a twenty year old Oldsmobile with a bad suspension and wobbly tire doing 75.
And God bless you as well
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BiologyBrain
Guest
You may one day be terminally late if you disregard safety for punctuality.
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jmcrae
Guest
Maybe you’ve never experienced poor health. Poor health, especially recovering from injuries sustained in an automobile accident, takes a lot of time away from getting things done at work.
I was hit by a bus one time; I know what I’m talking about. I had four days off work (and missed a critical deadline at work), and then I was in physiotherapy for six weeks, which really put a cramp into my daily schedule.
It took longer for my project at work to recover, than it took for my body to recover. The bosses were very understanding, of course, but there was a lot of money involved, and they were also quite badly affected by the whole thing, from a financial point of view.
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aspawloski4th
Guest
Fatchance. Ever drive on a Chicago freeway before? Both I times I have the prevailing speed was well above the speed limit, and Chicago has no more crashes per captia than anyplace else.
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Nick_in_MB
Guest
I think that’s actually different though. I’ve known many cops who’ve said to just keep the pace with the other cars, even if it’s over the posted speed limit.Fatchance. Ever drive on a Chicago freeway before? Both I times I have the prevailing speed was well above the speed limit, and Chicago has no more crashes per captia than anyplace else.
If you’re going slower than the cars around you, that can possibly create a traffic hazard itself. Which happens all the time down here. For some reason, those who have a suspended license are allowed to use a moped on the road. They can only go 25mph, and the speed limit for US 17 here is typically 45-55mph. That’s a hazard when you suddenly come upon a person who’s doing 30miles less than the posted speed limit, and is riding little more than a motorized bicycle.
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aspawloski4th
Guest
I have a wife who is partially disabled with psoriatic arthraitis, you know whats it’s like to wake up in the middle of the night to your spouse screaming in apin that you can’t do anything about? She has strong emotional problems as well. I had to deal with a full year of therapy from her falling on ice , as well as 3 operations from braking that leg in a spiral fashion. So yes I know about the health aspect of life. I also know whats like to missout of things I looked forewordd to or wanted to do, because one of my obligations or other things heald me up. That feels far worse than all 34 kidneystones Ive had puttogether.
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aspawloski4th
Guest
One instyance that stands out in my mind was when I was heading south on the Dan Ryan looking for the sky way to head back east. The speed limit was 45, I was going 80 and getting flown by. I wish people where I live would drive more like that.
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