Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site pegasus.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!dual!qantel!ihnp4!pegasus!mzal From: mzal@pegasus.UUCP (Mike Zaleski) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: (A Sermon on) Radar Surveillance Message-ID: <2493@pegasus.UUCP> Date: Wed, 7-Aug-85 12:29:19 EDT Article-I.D.: pegasus.2493 Posted: Wed Aug 7 12:29:19 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 12-Aug-85 03:40:32 EDT Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Lincroft NJ Lines: 84 [ xxxx ] > = mtuxo!houxm!homxa!gritz >> = allegra!jay > Radar guns should be unconstiutional ... [because they represent > random electronic surveilance]. >> Give me a break! I am not a big fan of radar guns myself, but I'm >> ready to admit that's because I'm afraid of getting speeding tickets. >> I don't believe that anyone who really obeyed the speed laws would >> agree that radar guns are unconstitutional or feel his privacy >> invaded. I'm also not a big fan of getting speeding tickets. However, the idea that radar guns represents random electronic surveilance is not necessarily unreasonable. For example, the model K-55 radar gun has an auto speed alarm which will go off whenever it detects something in its field which is moving faster than a preset speed. This requires no intervention on the part of the patrol officer. Now, how is looking for "interesting speeds" different from the government's (past/present?) policy of scanning international calls for "interesting words"? Certainly you'll agree that in both cases people are being spied upon without probable cause. >> These laws exist for a purpose, and their enforcement helps >> keep our roads somewhat safe. I feel threatened when someone whizzes >> by at 80 MPH and cuts in front of me... NJ, and I'm sure most other states, has laws regarding reckless driving and/or driving too fast for conditions. The police do not need a radar gun to catch someone whizzing around at 80 MPH. >> If we disallow radar guns... I think what originally got this started was a discussion of some legislation proposed by some legislator, possibly named Schwartz, in NJ which would ban radar detectors. Two arguments FOR radar detectors: 1. They alert you to radar traps ahead, where traffic will slow down unexpectedly. They alert you to situations where a police car - and potentially a hazard - is ahead. In short, they encourage you to be prepared for potential hazards. 2. The claimed purpose of radar detectors (claimed by the manufacturers, that is) is to remind you to check your speed at times when it is particularly important. Unless you drive a burned out Datsun B210, you might find that either (a) it is easy to creep past the speed limit without necessarily intending to do so, or (b) you have to spend a lot of driving time looking at your speedometer (instead of the road) if you want to obey the law. Three questions: 1. How does this proposed legislation deal with the issue of federal jurisdiction over radio receivers? 2. Why is this legislation being proposed? Are the police having trouble catching people speeding? If the police aren't having trouble catching speeders, why are we cluttering up the 50 or so volumes of New Jersey Statutes Annotated with more junk? To me, any unneeded law or legislative resolution or rule is bad. Government should be minimized, not maximized. To me, this law represents another example of how the government simply does not care about the people. I don't think the electorate was clamoring for a law banning these detectors..... 3. If they get away with passing this law, will CB radios (which can also be used - in some ways more effecticely - to watch out for police) be next? And if they get away with that, then we better really start worrying.... What I intend to do is find out more details about this legislation and then call my state representitve and tell him that if s/he does not vote against this issue, I will vote against him/her in the next election. I would encourage you to do the same. If you live in NJ and have spent 100 to 400 dollars for a radar detector, it seems you should spend a few minutes and another dollar to protect your right to use it. -- "The Model Citizen" Mike^Z Zaleski@Rutgers [ allegra!, ihnp4! ] pegasus!mzal