It's our first trip to Europe and we plan a lot of driving (Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belguim, Switzerland & France). Will it do me any good to take my US radar detector (X/K/Ka) with me?

Thanks,

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in an insane society the sane man must appear insane

Good question, wondered myself.

On a side note, I have a question for you or anyone who "knows" about radar detectors.

If the officer is using Laser to track your speed, isn't a laser radar detector useless as a laser is a precise beam of light. ie, the other forms of radar are like the waves in a pond (they spread out) so detection can occur when you are not the officer's intended target. Again, seeing as a laser is a precise beam, there is no diffusion, so if your laser detector goes off, you're toast! correct?

Yes, your US radar detector should work (certainly in the UK) - there may be some issues with illegality, however, which will vary by country.

On the laser point, the detectors I have seen are actually more like jammers - they have 2 little lasers which are normally fitted each side of the front registration plate (in the UK - not sure where you'd put it in the States ). When the detectors pick up an incoming laser (police normally aim at front plate, since it's supposed to be vertical and they get a good signal from it), the counter-lasers fire back a beam of their own, which confuses the police laser, and stops them getting a fix on your speed.
At least, that's the principle. Can't tell you if they work, since I never go over the speed limit (obviously)

I have seen ads for "jammers" but they are illegal in the US. Are they legal in the UK?

Another side note about X/K/KA, if the officer is using instant on mode for "shooting", detectors are pretty much useless unless there is a good amount of traffic in front of you and you are close enough to catch the burst of radar.

If I remember correctly, they are a no-no in Germany and Austria. Illegal in Switzerland (speed limit 120KPH or 75 MPH).

Given the speed limit situation (either there is not a limit - or you are in a summer traffic jam) on Autobahns - they have limited utility.

[This message has been edited by eMailman (edited 05-19-2002).]

My husband and I have driven in all the countries you mentioned. We both like to drive fast, but we were standing still compared to the speeds people there drove. I don't think you'll need to worry about speeding. Worry more about not changing lanes in front of someone doing 130 and don't think you can sit in the fast lane doing 75.

Germany and Switzerland are very strikt.
When the limit is 60 km/h, you better drive <= 63 km/h. Deadly accidents happend in this "60 km/h-construction-zones" on German Autobahn.
In Germany, stay right(!), even when you drive 180 km/h. May be a BMW, Benz or Porsche likes to pass you with 230+ km/h.
I had 2 US executives in my car, bringing them from Cebit Hannover Fair to Hamburg Airport. First they were exited at 200+ km/h, later they were falling asleep in the car ... fairs have long days and loooong nights..
Next, keep distance. On German Autobahn you will see boxes on bridges; they make a nice photo of you and your car and the license plate, when you are driving without distance.
Radar detectors are not allowed in Germany.

EVERY American driver could use a highway driving lesson from a European driver.

In the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands it has been pure pleasure the way people drive on the highways. They understand that the left lane (passing lane) is not to sit in, it is for passing.