Mounting Radar Detector in California

scottb · 09-24-2006, 08:58 AM

It appears that mounting a radar detector to the windshield is illegal in California.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

(California Vehicle Code Sec. 26708(a) (1) -- No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.)

That being the case, where or how do California Pelicans mount their radar detectors? Pictures would be appreciated.

Scott

MAS956 · 09-24-2006, 09:33 AM

I use suction cups on the windshield and always have. If I'm reading the link right, the law's been on the books 10 years now. If so, I'd say this is not very rigorously enforced. Especially given the explosion of windshield-mounted GPS units lately.

RoninLB · 09-24-2006, 09:34 AM

does this apply to hanging a detector from the sun visor. I would think not?

PatrickB · PatrickB's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by scottb
It appears that mounting a radar detector to the windshield is illegal in California.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

(California Vehicle Code Sec. 26708(a) (1) -- No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.)

That being the case, where or how do California Pelicans mount their radar detectors? Pictures would be appreciated.

Scott

Scott~ A lawyer I am not, THANK GOD!

I have a little different interpretation after reading further down... Perhaps
this is why there is no enforcement as you suggest? If this was a way for law
enforcement to nail us radar using fools, they'd be all over it! My Valentine 1 is mounted directly above the rear view mirror. The darkened glass doesn't seem to effect the sensitivity... I've had initial warnings for Ka band hit up to 8 miles away on the California Autobahn (I-5 between the Grapevine and Sacramento.)

(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(11) An electronic communication device affixed to the center uppermost portion of the interior of a windshield within an area that is not greater than 5 inches square, if the device provides either of the following:

(A) The capability for enforcement facilities of the Department of the California Highway Patrol to communicate with a vehicle equipped with the device.

(B) The capability for electronic toll and traffic management on public or private roads or facilities.

RoninLB · 09-24-2006, 01:19 PM

I picked up HP coming up behind while blasting radar ahead of them on I-5 w/visor mount.

scottb · 09-24-2006, 02:05 PM

Patrick: I'm not sure where you see the exception? Is it because the CHP's radar "communicates" with the radar detector? Because the radar dector assists with traffic management?

PatrickB · PatrickB's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by scottb
Patrick: I'm not sure where you see the exception? Is it because the CHP's radar "communicates" with the radar detector? Because the radar dector assists with traffic management?

IMHO, the detector is a communication device, that communicates with any law enforcement agency using a radar gun.

I have WAY too much free time this afternoon!

Since there is a nice big fat FCC stamp on the back of my V1, that states that the device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules, I'm going to make the giant leap and guess that this qualifies a radar detector as a "communication device" that "communicates" with the CHP's radar gun. Even though the radar detector is strictly a receiver, it still is a communcation device. I'm not entirely sure on the exact technical operation of the radar detector, but scanning through the Part 15 rule, it appears that it qualifies as an "Unintentional radiator," wile the actual radar gun is an "intentional radiator..." I think that this would follow the "letter of the law," but certainly not "the spirit of the law!"

I didn't feel it necessary to read past page 10 of 155 pages of Part 15!

Just my 2 cents!! If anyone else has technical understanding on how a radar detector works, please chime in! I believe that Radar detectors actually do emit some type of radio signal, as I understand that in states where r/d's are illegal, the police actually have radar detector detectors??

Danny_Ocean · 09-24-2006, 02:43 PM

If cited, it would only be a "fix-it" ticket. Additionally, you would have to be pulled over for some other reason (speeding, etc.) for them to jack you up about the radar detector.

When I resided in Calif. full-time, all my vehicles had no license plates (front or rear) and I was never stopped/cited. I really wouldn't worry about a radar detector affixed to the windshield.

pwd72s · 09-24-2006, 03:05 PM

So, a factory applied decal is illegal?

Danny_Ocean · 09-24-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pwd72s
So, a factory applied decal is illegal?

Probably...

They should just re-write the California Vehicle Code and Criminal Code to list what is legal. Much shorter list...

ianc · 09-24-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

When I resided in Calif. full-time, all my vehicles had no license plates (front or rear) and I was never stopped/cited.

I HAVE been stopped for having no front plate. Granted the cop was an insufferable prig who also lectured me about going 32 in a 25 zone, but it DOES happen.

Not what you want if you're driving back from the bar after a couple beers...

ianc

rusnak · 09-24-2006, 08:15 PM

Well, now I have to find a way to attach my V1 to my rear view mirror. Our elected politicians have no better way to spend our tax dollars than to write unenforceable laws, I guess.

ianc · 09-24-2006, 08:52 PM

Russ,

I would leave it. If you get stopped, you've got bigger things to worry about than a couple of suctions cups on the windshield.

How's the tail going? Let's see some piccies!

ianc

Emission · Emission's Garage

So, those tinted baby shades on the side windows are illegal too?

Mine is mounted on the glass (via suction cups). I've been pulled over and they've never mentioned it.

randywebb · 09-24-2006, 09:41 PM

see the blue text above - he lists exception (b)(11), so there must be at least 10 others. Hopefully the legislature did not pass something too stupid...

rusnak · 09-25-2006, 11:03 AM

Hi Ian!

It's great to see you're doing fine, my friend. The tail is STILL in the paint shop (arrrrggghh!!). George, my paint guy, is a very fussy artist. I don't bother him because he's probably painted and re-painted it several times by now. I am just glad that the car is not stuck at his shop. I'll either do a thread or send you some photos when I get it back. I've made a nice bracket for the second engine cover strut, and painted and rewelded some of the metal pieces. I also bought a factory gasket, and factory "Carrera" script. Just waiting, waiting, waiting......

I will experiment with the mig welder to see if I can make a lightweight bracket for the radar detector, that won't shake the rear view mirror.

ianc · 09-25-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

I will experiment with the mig welder to see if I can make a lightweight bracket for the radar detector, that won't shake the rear view mirror.

Interesting. If you can cook up one for an 8500, I'd jump on it!

ianc

randywebb · 09-25-2006, 11:50 AM

A housing that conceals a V-1 and the mirror with front & back windows for the V-1 to sense radar would be a fine thing...

PatrickB · PatrickB's Garage

sign me up! I'll take one to go!

masraum · 09-25-2006, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rusnak
Well, now I have to find a way to attach my V1 to my rear view mirror. Our elected politicians have no better way to spend our tax dollars than to write unenforceable laws, I guess.

My V1 came with a clip to attach it to the sun visor. I keep mine a bit higher on the windshield and next to the rear view mirror. I'm also not in Cali, and I don't have a 911 any more. But it mounted the same in the 911. I use the straight cord instead of the coiled. I route the cable up and around the edge of the windshield.