What is the point of those roadside speedometers?

Question

Don't they realize that people have speedometers IN THEIR CARS?!
I think they're annoying, and they make my radar detector go crazy when I get near them.

Yes, my radar detector is legal. Contrary to popular belief, they are legal in all but 2 states.

Answer 1

I guess to remind you that you're breaking the law. And broadcasting it to the people around you. Assuming that you do speed-- which I'm guessing so, since you have a radar detector. Haha.

ps. you answered my question about people who make idiotic comments with bad grammar-- and I would give you best answer right this second if I could. Hilarious.

Answer 2

Awareness, and safety. Most of them say what the speed limit is, and then list your speed. A very good way to see if your speedometer in the vehicle is accurate. And a very good way to wake up the ones that aren't paying attention to their speed.

Sometimes they will put a radar unit where the roadside speedometer was, so be careful in the area after it's gone. Of course, if you drive the limit you won't have to worry about that, nor do you need a radar detector. (You are aware they are illegal in some states, and will be taken from you if they caught you with one, aren't you? Well, you are now. Lol)

Answer 3

The speed reader boards are a tool to let people know that they are speeding and lets everyone else know it, too. Here in Portland, they are mostly installed on neighborhood streets with a lot of main road overflow cut-through commuter traffic. That traffic generally doesn't care that the street is a neighborhood street and will almost always speed through on their way to somewhere else. If they look up and see the speed they are traveling is posted on a big sign for everyone to see, they tend to slow down considerably.

It is an inexpensive passive tool to help improve the liveability of neighborhoods.

If you are inconvenienced by the radar detector in your car, then why do you have it? Don't you want to know if you are being zapped by radar? If you don't, turn it off.

Answer 4

I use a radar detector and unless they see it when they stop u, they cant just bust u for having one....anyway back to the question. i think people just get into the habit of consentrating on other things while driving and they are up ther to make u actually relise how fast your going...im guessing that if you are cool enough to have a radar detector that you dont really care how fast your going unless the fuz are nearby anyway.

Answer 5

And one of those states is Virginia.

I think the point is to drive you crazy with "false" radar detector readings, and to try and illicit a three-year-old's response when you're reminded that you're being BAD.

BAD speeder. BAD BAD speeder! You just wait 'til your father gets home---Or maybe he's ever right around the next bend!

Answer 6

They're are usually placed near a school or in a residential area where small children play. You are probably more likely to notice that you're speeding if there is a flashing 3 foot sign in front of you. They're there so that you SLOW down!!!

Answer 7

SLOW DOWN !!! In some state radar detector are ageist the law.

Answer 8

You make a really good point here. If the machine also recorded the speed of the car, took a picture of the plate and mailed a ticket, that would have teeth.

Answer 9

mmm there are there possible for you to check you speedometer against what that says. if it is off you might want to know which is wrong your car or their radar.

Answer 10

They are most often used in areas that are prone to speeders. They are there to gently remind you to watch for the speed limit on that particular road.