Law Enforcement Science Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Tump · #1 10-01-2002, 05:27 PM

Hi

Here's a question for all the technically informed:

Given that cops generally aim their laser and/or radar at the front or rear license plates of a speeding vehicle, would coating these plates with clear urethane and covering them with a clear plastic cover tend to absorb the laser/radar beam and defeat or greatly reduce the chance of being so detected?

I seem to remember that the US Air Force Stealth Bomber, besides shying away from rounded corners, uses a special radar proof coating that absorbs radar rather than reflecting it back.

Would plastic, urethane or other clear coating do the same?

Not that I would ever do such a thing, but I'm interested in knowing.

Thanks

Benzmac · #2 10-01-2002, 07:51 PM

I was on the Gumball site (the illegal race) and saw a team of Porsches that were painted with rubber, radar absorbing paint. The story is they imported it from Russia.

Tump · #3 10-03-2002, 04:02 PM

Benzmac

What's the address for the Gumball site?

TomE500 · #4 10-06-2002, 09:37 AM

Being that enemy agents (radar toting law enforcement types;^) may be monitoring this forum, I will only advise that you enter the words: "radar absoring materials" onto your URL line and hit the "enter" button. You may want to pay close attention to HARP technology when you consider wearing a bra on your nose

Tom

nov0798 · #5 10-06-2002, 07:14 PM

as for your question, and being a law enforcement officer i can tell you that it doesnt matter, i cna just point the lased at something else. one of the best areas are your headlights since they have a reflector built in.

TomE500 · #6 10-06-2002, 09:29 PM

They are also coated! U personally may be able to see me BUT radar/laser can not lock on.

#7 10-09-2002, 08:20 AM

If you are speeding, then you are likely to stand out visually, especially if the rest of the traffic around you is driving slower.

But the topic at hand is about hiding from laser. The reply posted about bra's is true, they do exist and they are claimed to work. Another technology is radar/laser jammers. These are available in what is called "active" jamming and "passive" jamming. Search the internet for companies like Doppler Technologies or Phantom. Also consider that these devices are costly and illegal in some states. There is a school of thought that if you mount some intense driving lights and keep them on with your high beams, then the emmitted IR energy from these lights will interfere with the Laser lock-on. Again, I reference that you will stand out from the crowd visually.

Most law enforcement officers employ their laser/radar with well developed tactics, often working in teams (shooter and chaser). Radar and laser do not work around corners, so you are more likely to get busted just as you crest a hilltop or come out of a bend. Many tactical engagements occur in close, thus reducing your reaction time. If you need to exceed the limits, try to avoid congested traffic, know your roads, look for police presence (there is often a low saturation of police; you see one and he/she is likely the only one within miles of that highway), use tractor trailer trucks (a direct jamming technique) and routinely check your equipment (get your own radar gun). In many states a front plate is required... if you can - do not mount any front plate as this is a target.

el presidente · #8 10-09-2002, 09:56 AM

...best way to avoid laser / radar....

Go to traffic court in your area for a day and pay attention to the locations where the officers are setting up their units. You'll also get a quick lesson as to what types of citations get reduced or thrown out of court and why.

It pays to know where law enforcement will likely be shooting laser / radar for speeders.

Forget the 'James Bond' stuff (doesn't work against VASCAR anyway). The 'odds' will always be with your if you know where to expect a speed trap.

LuckyF8 · #9 10-10-2002, 02:32 AM

What a cool thread!

el presidente, good point, and, another good point is the post above by the "Law Enforcement Officer" that has trouble with, his or her, typing. That will help you in court as well.

I have family and best frends in law enforcement, and respect them, as they worked hard and fair, most of them are retired now.

This is a new time we live in, be kind.

Driving fast can be done just about anywhere, the key is to do it proper, know how your car handles, and expect the worst to happen. I sit here and laugh at the posts about how fast have you had your car? some say I had it up to 80mph!

As I am lucky to grow older, I still take the 108 4.5 to 120mph everytime she gets on the freeway, but only at the place it is safe to do so! Top speed to date is 145mph, and it still had more to give.

60 to 120 is quick, now your in third gear............................

Drive safely

#10 10-10-2002, 07:06 AM

There once was a website (SpeedFreaks.com) that posted speedometer shots. It was later changed to www.born-free.net and now I am having trouble accessing it.

I did manage to clip some pics from that site and compile them in a MS Powerpoint presentation. E-mail me off line if interested. Or perhaps we can start our own gallery here at MercedesShop...?

el presidente · #11 10-10-2002, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LuckyF8
I have family and best frends in law enforcement, and respect them, as they worked hard and fair, most of them are retired now.

This is a new time we live in, be kind.

well stated

How fast have you gotten your CE up to?

My stats:

1991 300CE - 135
2002 CLK55 - 120, so far
2000 E55 - 159 (indicated speed, I was a passenger)

Tump · #12 10-10-2002, 05:05 PM

I agree with el presidente, Roger W_140 & LuckyF8 -- excessive speeds are most certainly extremely dangerous and the leading cause (besides drinking) of auto fatalities.

That said, the best way to avoid being caught is to know your roads and where the cops hide. Think like a cop and keep your eyes wide open and don't weave (doing so is a dead give away). This is why I never use a radar detector/jammer. These devices lull you into a false sense of security, are illegal in some states, and an officer's visual estimation of your speed is legally valid and admissible against you (at least in NY) to plus or minus 5 mph. When I finally stopped using radar dectectors, I stopped getting speeding tickets. (I had the best Bell at the time 7 or 8 years ago).

Also, I never drive excessively fast in traffic or on any road where it would not be prudent to do so (i.e. where there are pedistrians, bikers, residential driveways entering the road, school buses, or alot of local traffic, etc). The only time to drive very fast, understanding that doing so is dangerous and certainly against the law for good reason, is on an empty or nearly empty road or highway.

But, because we sometimes find ourselves in unfamilar territory where the speed limits are ridiculously low (35, 45, etc.) it would be nice to have your car set up so that it is much more difficult for an officer to catch you in a lasar/radar trap. [There are some small towns in upstate NY that finance their entire existance on speeding tickets issued to out of towners going between 65 and 75 on the Taconic Parkway. These speeds are not truly excessive and used to be acceptable and still are in NY on some highways with a 65 mph speed limit. (Cops generally let you travel 10 mph over the limit). Modern cars can handle those speeds safely.]

To the extent that plastic license plate covers, high intensity halogen fog lights, and even performance products.com clear resin headlight covers/protectors help defeat radar/laser I am in favor of them.

TomE500, is it really impossible for radar/laser to lock onto headlights? I never heard that before.

Top speed to date
C43 -- 130

LuckyF8 · #13 10-10-2002, 08:37 PM

el presidente

The CE winds up nice to 120 when you need to buzz some airhead parked in the fast lane doing about 50 blabing on his cell phone. Top speed 145, and I love the 104 motor.

By the way the CE is a 1990 Smoke Silver W/128000 and the 108 is a 1973 280SE 4.5 Champaign W/117000.

The neighbors laugh and shake their heads when I park both of them out front. Two shiney gold cars! I do find more people standing around the 108 in parking lots waiting to ask me questions about it, want to buy it etc. as it is near mint all original 30 year old. The CE is just as nice, but no big deal, just another W124.

I will try to post some pics soon.

LuckyF8 · #14 10-10-2002, 08:46 PM

Oh yea, re: this post, do you laser experts know what LASER stands for, I find most of the experts dont know.

el presidente

It's not as fun doing 160 in the passanger seat, is it?

#15 10-10-2002, 10:37 PM

Laser is an acronymn, like radar, scuba, nasa and so on. The idea of Laser dates back to 1917 with Einstein's thoughts regarding the photoelectric effect. It was not until around 1958 that his ideas were put into effect with the birth of what we recognize today as LASER = Light Amplification (by) Stimulated Emissions (of) Radiation.

Laser has many uses, but the topic on the table of this thread is police use.

Police Laser is quick, accurate and holds up well in court. As mentioned earlier, tactics tend to be close in, under 1100LF. This improves accuracy and reduces the target reaction time.

As for detection, disturbing and jamming devices... yes they exist and they work (to a certain degree). The cost of a sophisticated system which would be reliable is more than I care to spend.

Do not speed = you do not get caught.

I speed. Sometimes I get caught, sometimes I do not. No matter how clever one is... slowing down from 120mph will likely get you clocked around 76mph, still over 65mph.

No radar/laser detection/jamming equipment in ones car = an opportunity to use plausible denialability. In other words if you have a radar detector and get caught for speeding it is difficult to explain to the officer that you "did not mean" to be traveling 76mph. Whereas without the equipment a story or explaination can be given and believed.

I speed. Sometimes I get caught, sometimes I am let go without a ticket. Be polite, respectful and never lie. Have your Sh_t together (do not fumble around looking for registration) and yes, it does help to maintain a clean vehicle (interior and exterior).

Sorry for the long winded reply; thanks for reading

-- Roger