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Ask Trooper Steve: Is it illegal in Florida to use a radar detector in your car?

News 6 traffic expert answers viewer questions

ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road every week, helping Orlando-area residents become better drivers by being better educated.

Trooper Steve was asked Monday, “Is it illegal in Florida to use a radar detector in your car?”

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Despite what you might think, it’s not illegal.

“But if I stop you and I see this, you’re getting a ticket. Why? Because this just tells me a few things. One, that you have a need for speed, and two, that you’re looking for us out there,” he said.

Trooper Steve said drivers can use a radar detector, but they cannot use a radar or laser jammer.

“There’s a big difference here. One, you’re stopping a device from working on the law enforcement side. The other is simply detecting it,” he said.

Trooper Steve said radar detectors may not help as much as you think.

“Most of the time when this starts going off, if it says laser detected, we’ve already got your speed, so you might as well pull over. Sometimes the radar device will bounce off and you could detect it beforehand. However, most of the time, we’ve already got your speed,” Trooper Steve said.

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About the Authors
Brenda Argueta headshot

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.

Steve Montiero headshot

Steven Montiero, better known as “Trooper Steve," joined the News 6 morning team as its Traffic Safety Expert in October 2017. A Central Florida native and decorated combat veteran, Montiero comes to the station following an eight-year assignment with the Florida Highway Patrol.

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