Do Police Have a New Trick Up Their Sleeve to Catch Speeders?

Last month I took a long road trip from Toronto to Iowa to visit family.  I drove the Focus RS and was sure to bring my radar detector which is an Escort Passport 9500ix.  Along the way I got the normal chirps for X band warnings which are usually not important as well as some Ka & K band warnings that are usually the police.  My detector also has GPS to warn of common police hiding spots and speed/red light cameras.  So I feel I’m pretty well covered.  Many times during the trip I would get very aggressive warnings which were usually caused but those speed warning signs they put up next to construction zones.  You know the, “Your Speed is….” warnings.  Everything seemed to be working well.  I still keep an eye out but I’m certainly more relaxed when I’m using it.

However there were three times during the trip that the highway patrol was out in force.  Many patrol cars not even trying to hide pointing the radar guns right at the oncoming traffic but my detector didn’t even chirp.  What the hell?  Not even a sound.  If the officers were using laser my detector warns about that too (often too late) but it does warn me.  Are they using something new?

I went to the Escort website and looked at their top of the line model.  The Escort Max 360c is $599, connects to wi-fi connected ability as well as linking to your smartphone the thing seems really advanced.  But just like mine it covers X, K, Ka, & Laser bands, with no sign of a new band.  I’ve emailed Escort about this and have yet to hear back.

Here in Ontario radar detectors are illegal and believe me the police look for them.  If you are caught you are fined and the device is confiscated.  Because of this reason I only use mine in “dark mode” and at night.  But in light of my last trip I feel much less secure and wonder if it’s even worth the risk if its missing something.

I'll update when I know more.

Warning Letter From Ontario

So last week I received a letter from Ontario saying, "If you get another speeding ticket you could lose your license." I thought WHAT??  They listed my tickets and I got one speeding ticket in 2015 and then recently I got one ticket in 2016.  So just two tickets and they say I could lose my license??

Technically they said I COULD lose my license. They said each ticket is 3 points, after 9 points I could be asked to attend a review which would cost me $50 (another Ontario money grab) and they could take my license.  Then after 15 points I would lose my license without question.  So if we sift though all the scare tactics in their letter what they are really saying is that after 5 tickets I will lose my license.

They also reminded me that tickets usually lead to an increase in insurance premiums but I cleverly have removed that problem from the equation by using a US insurance company.  Fortunately Canada and the US don't talk.  So issues that happen in Canada aren't seen by my US insurance.  These keeps me immune to this problem.

Ironically both tickets were while I was driving my Hummer.  I had the bright orange Mustang GT, and now the insanely fast Shelby GT500 but I get my speeding tickets in the 5500 lb Hummer with a 5-cylinder.  I guess I must just be paying less attention when I'm just commuting to work and back.  Plus I keep a radar detector in my fast car which I do use occasionally and I have nothing in the Hummer.

Anyway, each ticket stays on your record for two years so February of next year one will be gone.  I really need to locate some place to have some fun with speed without the risk of a ticket.  Of course there are tracks but rarely do you get to have the track to yourself.  I'd feel much better getting to know my 662 hp monster if there was not risk of hitting others.  Wish me luck.