Radar detectors - the Latest Safety Device

In essence, since drivers check their speed and pay closer attention to what is going on around them when their detector goes off, a radar detector has always been a safety tool. Some municipalities and states use unmanned transmitters, or "drones", that set off radar detectors when approaching an accident-prone spot. Studies have shown that drivers do slow down in work zones where drones are present, however, older detectors cannot differentiate between a drone warning of a road hazard and police speed monitoring devices.

New microwave technology takes the drone concept a step further by providing drivers with specific information about high-speed emergency vehicles, stationary road hazards or trains that are equipped with safety radar transmitters. The transmitters work with older radar detectors, causing them to emit the same signal as when a speed monitoring device is detected. However, new generation "smart" radar detectors give drivers both a special audible and visual warning describing the approaching hazard.

Radar detectors are legal in all states except Virginia and Washington, D.C. However, for big commercial trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds and buses carrying more than 15 passengers, detectors are banned nationwide by the Federal Highway Administration. Several bills are currently before the Virginia State Legislature to overturn the state radar ban in order to allow Virginians access to safety radar benefits.(NAPSI)