Ohio Radar Detector Laws Explained
In addition to the prohibition against the use of radar jammers, Ohio drivers must also observe specific laws governing the use of radar detectors in their vehicles. According to Ohio Revised Code § 4513.241, the law governing the use of radar detectors, drivers are not permitted to use transmitters or devices capable of interfering with police radar anywhere in Ohio.
Ohio Revised Code § 4513.241 (A) states no person shall operate any vehicle upon the streets and highways of this state that has, used, possessed, or controlled upon such vehicle, any radar interference device or radar transmitter.
Ohio Revised Code § 4513 . 241 (E) defines a radar interference device as a device, by whatever name called, capable of interfering with the operation of traffic radar speed timing devices including, but not limited to, the following:
(A) any radar detector;
(B) any laser detector;
(C) any device designed, used, capable of, or intended for blocking, jamming, scrambling, or interfering with the operation of radar speed timing devices;
(D) any device designed, used, capable of, or intended for detecting the presence of emergency warning signals, such as radar speed timing devices and including, but not limited to, any device designed to alert the operator of a vehicle when the vehicle is passing a radar speed timing device.
According to Ohio Revised Code § 4513.241 (A), any driver found to be in violation of this law is subject to criminal charges. The penalty for a violation pursuant to Ohio Revised Code is a criminal one, punishable as a first degree misdemeanor. A first degree misdemeanor in Ohio can come with a penalty of up to 6 months in jail and up to a $1000 fine.
Radar Detector Laws By State – An Overview
When comparing radar detector laws in Ohio with those in other states, it becomes clear that Ohio is relatively lax in its regulations. As noted above, you must have a front-facing radar detector or jammer to avoid being ticketed for simply having a radar detector in your car. Yet even if you were to be caught with two functioning radar detectors or with unsophisticated radar jamming technology, the maximum penalty is a mere $150 fine and points that should not affect your insurance rates, assuming you are able to avoid accident points on your driving record.
This fine is considerably lower than the maximum penalties for radar detection equipment in many other states. For example, Virginia has a ban on radar detectors which, if violated, results in a fine of $2,500 and up to 12 months in jail. In Washington D.C., any ticket for radar detectors will cost you a whopping $400. In Arkansas, possession of a radar detector can lead to vehicle seizure, a $5,000 fine, five years in prison or both!
On the other hand, the Radar Detector Law in nearby Kentucky is comparable to Ohio. In that state, law enforcement is only allowed to stop you if your window tinting is so dark that they suspect that you might be using it to hide your radar detector from their view. They might also stop and ticket you if they see a radar detector in your window, but they have to have another reason to pull you over at the same time. Oregon is similar, allowing drivers to have radar detectors visibily in their vehicles if they are not actively in use. Simply possessing a radar detector in your car cannot be the only reason for law enforcement to pull you over.
The Legality Of Radar Detector Use In Ohio
The consequences of using a radar detector in Ohio can range from a slap on the wrist to hefty fines and demerit points. To understand the potential exposure, it is important to look at the specific laws that govern their use. Ohio Revised Code § 4513.241 prohibits the use of devices that provide a warning of a traffic law enforcement official’s presence. The device may assist the motorist in evading traffic law enforcement, which is why its use is restricted. It would be a traffic violation to utilize a radar detector while driving, and the punishments for violating O.R.C. § 4513.241 can be significant. First, if a police officer stops a driver for what is believed to be the use of an illegal device like a radar detector, that officer will likely issue a citation. The citation would be a minor misdemeanor with the motorist to pay a $150 fine. Second, under O.R.C. § 4513.99, in addition to the $150 fine imposed by the officer writing the citation, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles may also impose demerit points along with the corresponding penalties for points on an individual’s driving record. If convicted, two points will be added to that driver’s license. If a driver accrues too many demerit points, Ohio imposes a suspension, which prohibits the driver from driving in the state for 90 days after the suspension order is given. The Ohio BMV may impose a suspension on that driver, even if a court does not. Finally, there are some exceptions to the law that involve certain types of radar detectors. O.R.C. § 4513.241(B). These exceptions include: Until Ohio changes the law, use of a radar detector in a passenger vehicle will result in negative demerit points on an individual’s driving record. Consequently, until further clarity is provided, Ohio drivers should think twice before implementing the use of a radar detector.
Radar Detectors And Radar Jammers In Ohio
While radar detectors are used to detect the presence of radar emitted from police radar units to clock a car’s speed, radar jammers employ a much different purpose. Radar jammers, as the name insinuates, send what is essentially a counter-frequency to that of the police radar. The result? A "jammed" radar signal that, on its face, may appear to read no speed whatsoever.
The problem for those who use radar jammers, however, is that before any radio frequency transmitter can be approved for use, it must first receive approval from the FCC. In determining whether a particular frequency will be approved for use, the FCC looks to determine whether that frequency will interfere with other transmissions in the public interest. Appropriately, radar jammers get the axe because they are found by the FCC to inevitably and significantly interfere with public safety communications.
Despite the very real problems with radar jammers, some Ohio drivers may still have one. Radar jammers are illegal for any use, but lawmakers have been unable to effectively legislate against them because the spirit and purpose of the law have been mostly inapplicable to the offense . Specifically, law enforcement officers are not able to effectively determine the point at which a driver is using his or her radar jammer. Thus, even if a driver has an appropriately functioning radar jammer, it can be virtually impossible to catch him during his use.
This problem continues even after authorities manage to catch an offender. Even in situations where authorities have this evidence (whether it be a confession, ultimately destructive records that were found during an investigation, and/or footage that wasn’t effectively edited), there is no effective mechanism to actually put a driver behind bars for using a jammer.
Fortunately for Ohio drivers, there is an effective substitute – radars detectors. Despite the effectiveness of radar detectors, however, it is important to keep in mind that these devices are also strictly regulated by Ohio law.
Specifically, Ohio law prohibits drivers from displaying their radar detectors. That is, radar detectors must never be placed where they can be seen by the driver of any other vehicle. Moreover, Ohio drivers are not permitted to use any form of "detector locator," which is a device used to detect radar detector signals.
Best Practices For Legal Radar Detector Use In Ohio
When driving in Ohio, it is essential to know that you can only use certain types of radar detectors and only in specific locations. To remain compliant with the law and avoid unwanted encounters with law enforcement, Ohio drivers should keep the following tips in mind. First, be sure to determine if your vehicle is exempt from the restrictions on radar detectors. You can use a radar detector without any restrictions if you have a commercial vehicle that is registered outside of Ohio. Private passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles that are registered in Ohio cannot have any radar detectors unless they are used to monitor traffic flow and collect data only, and aren’t used to issue citations to violators. Additionally, within a few years of moving to Ohio, you will need to have a transponder to monitor your speed, rather than a radar detector. Second, radar detectors are legal to use in all but three places in Ohio: in construction zones, near emergency response areas and on highways. In construction zones, drivers are not allowed to use radar detectors when they are active. In other words, if the lights are flashing or the signs are lit, you cannot use your radar detector. When approaching an area where emergency response vehicles are present, drivers are prohibited from using radar detectors. Lastly, within 500 feet of an on-ramp or off-ramp to any Ohio highway, drivers are not allowed to use radar detectors. In general, if a driver possesses a radar detector that is legal to use in Ohio, they should be cautious about whether it can be used on public Ohio roadways. When in doubt, be sure to check the Ohio laws on radar detectors for the most current updates available.
The Future Of Radar Detector Laws In Ohio
With technology continuing to evolve, so too does the future of radar detector legislation in Ohio. As legislative calendars shift and new bills come into play, it’s important for drivers to remain informed about possible changes to the law.
As of now, no bills are in progress to alter the existing regulations surrounding radar detectors in Ohio. However, the increasing sophistication of law enforcement tools contributes to a constant re-evaluation of what detection devices are capable of. In the past, police cruisers were outfitted with lights in order to detect active radar signals. While this equipment remains common, more advanced tools such as LIDAR have become more commonplace due. Because of these more advanced technologies , the need for radar signal detectors has become less important than in years past. LIDAR functions by releasing multiple pulses of light which bounce off objects in their path, informing law enforcement of speed via light reflection. Unlike radar signals, LIDAR systems are designed to concentrate their pulses on specific objects. Because of this technology, many believe that radar signal detectors are becoming more obsolete, although these devices have not yet reached a broad level of disposal.
Even if the legislation surrounding detection devices doesn’t change, technology is advancing toward LIDAR systems as a more advantageous – and more accurate – option for law enforcement officers. Though the future of radar detectors in Ohio is uncertain, the legislation surrounding other driving components is being just as scrutinized.