Virginia Delegate Joe T. May, (R-Leesburg) is working to repeal the state's law making it a crime to possess a radar detector in an automobile. Earlier this month May introduced HB 1120 which would eliminate the $96 ticket police currently issue to those caught with the device -- whether it was in use or not.

"Is your objective to keep people in the speed limit, or is your objective to issue citations?" May asked in the Winchester Star newspaper. He explained the ban provides a "rude welcome" to visitors from the forty-nine states that have no such law and are among its most frequent recipients.

The tendency for the law to target outsiders and discourage commerce is one reason why the Virginia Retail Merchants Association, an influential organization that has represented local business in the state for a century, has recently added its weight behind the repeal effort. It's also a priority for the National Motorists Association which has set up a website providing background and updates on the legislative effort at stoptheban.org.

"Virginia is the only state that still bans the sale and use of these otherwise commonplace devices," said Eric Skrum, the group's spokesman. "There is no research that suggests that by doing so, Virginia has improved its highway safety. On the contrary, Virginia's ban prohibits innovative safety programs that use radar pulses to warn motorists with detectors about road hazards. Several states are utilizing this technology to save lives and prevent accidents."

Virginia House of Delegates
HOUSE BILL NO. 1120
Offered January 11, 2006
A BILL to repeal § 46.2-1079 of the Code of Virginia, relating to radar detectors.
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Patron-- May
Referred to Committee on Transportation
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 46.2-1079 of the Code of Virginia is repealed.