hinckley

I'm traveling with a friend next month to pick up his 650 (a European Delivery of a US model). We're going to drive from Munich through Switzerland to Rome. I was considering bringing along a portable Escort radar/laser detector and I have a few questions.

1. I believe that they're illegal in Europe. Is that correct?

2. If they are illegal, how illegal are they? In other words, how pissed off will the police be if caught with one?

3. Will a US radar/laser detector even be effective in Europe? Is the technology the same?

4. Do I really even need it? I know that Germany isn't really a problem. My guess is that Italy isn't either. But how about Switzerland?

5. Am I missing anything?

BTW, please don't flame me, but we're planning on completely ignoring the break-in period. Thanks to the European e60.netters for your help.

Bmw_Micke

Here in Sweden they are illegal.

KAF

1. Also illegal in Spain, not sure about other countries.

2. Countries vary, you will certainly get the equipment seized and a fine.

3. There are varied reports, it depends if the detector picks up the frequencies used in Europe.

4. The limit in Europe is around 85 mph on 'freeways', 70mph on main roads. It is often enforced vigourously, with on the spot fines. Even in Germany it is only the Autobahns, (and not all of them) that allow speeds up to 150mph.

5. What you are missing is that most of the speed limits are there for safety. at 100mph you travel 150 feet every second. I don't care how good a driver you think you are, if somebody else does something stupid you will have little time to react.
Look at 150 feet and realise it will take you that far even to start moving your foot from the gas to the brake, never mind stop.
Respect other road users.

GPS

they are illegal in Italy too. if caught you risk a fine up to approx. 3k euro and the device's seizure

Peter530i

if we are talking only radar DETECTOR not any kind of jammer then they are perfectly legal... just another frequency receiver so is fm radio too at least here in Czech Republic
however I doubt it would work in Europe anyways..... because few years ago when I was getting mine I wanted to get it in the US since it is so much cheap over there..... but it would not work over here... I had a few friends getting one in the US but it did not work well here in EU.....

I would not worry about it man.... if you are from US all they can do is to charge you...... and believe me, the traffic is mostly so jammed that you will not be doing 150mph somewhere in the middle of the city anyway...... most of the traffic highway will not allow you to go at max speed during the day anyway......

besides, any driving in EU is always faster then in US

Germany - enjoy
Swiss - be extra careful following the limits!!!
Italy - bribe the police or simply pay the fee and enjoy the cappuchino
(BTW did you see the video of the Italian police actually helping the US Gumballers out of traffic by using their blue lights with siren and clearing the way for the M5 )

GPS

(by the way it's spelled "cappuccino")

Peter530i

my bad, I apologize

copello

1. Illegal in France as well

2. Pretty pissed-off.... Authorities do not like challenges... Device seized, fine approximately up to 1500 Euros (1800 Dollars approx.)

3. Don't know. Beware of static + moving radars within police cars, getting more popular over here

4. France is now a "problem" (automatic radars on main highways etc...). But then you have automatic cruise control on E60, so why bother ???

5. Don't forget: if you are over speed limit by more than 40km/h, well you can loose your driving licence immediately...... and you will have to leave your car where it is stuck......
So drive carefully, and enjoy the landside with cruise control.... Plus gasoline is SOOOO expensive over here, drive smoothly....

oyster

Hi from Germany,

US detectors like Valentine, Escort and similar will work in Europe, as good as they do in the US.
Radar/laser detectors are definitely illegal in Germany and Switzerland. In Germany, it will cost You 75 Euro (maybe doubled being a foreigner) and 4 points in the central register (which means nothing to You), the device will probably be confiscated, as owning one is already illegal, not only the use.
A legal possibility to protect yourself at least against stationary traps and frequently used trapping spots are databases on the internet (f.e. www.radarfalle.de) or data plug-ins for mobile nav systems.

The worst problem with speeding on German autobahn are not radar traps, but unmarked police cars with video, definitely no cure for them. How much speeding will cost You in Germany, I already have posted in another thread. And don?t think, autobahns are unlimited everywhere, in fact about 60% of their kilometers are under varying limits (60-120 km/h).

Switzerland has very strict speed limits, strongly enforced by many radar traps and high fines, to be paid on spot (in case, You should be lucky to have enough cash money on you, we?re talking several hundreds of swiss francs for 20 km/h over the limit). And DO NOT try to bribe Your way out like someone has proposed, even in Italy, this could end You up easily in jail!

If You want to try a full-speed drive in Germany, I could recommend some low-traffic autobahn in the Southern part of germany, not necessarily on the direct way Munich-Rome. In summer, be sure to take one of the big pass roads ober the Alps, not the autobahn tunnels, f.e. Gotthard pass. It will be a unforgettable drive.

Have fun!

needforspeed

After the monks...

http://www.ineedcoffee.com/05/cappuccino/