TWELVE Orange drivers have had illegally installed mobile radar detectors seized by police in the last few weeks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The drivers have been hit with heavy fines of $1300 each and lost nine points from their licence.
Orange police have specially installed devices in each vehicle which emit a loud signal when a vehicle is approaching with an illegally installed detector.
Police say the illegal devices have been imported by either being purchased over the internet or obtained overseas and brought in to the country in luggage.
Senior Constable Wes Bush said when drivers were caught they realised they would have to pay a heavy fine.
“But they get a real shock when they find out they lose nine points off their licence,” he said. “They only need to have had one speeding fine added to that and their licence is gone.”
Police say the standard navigation GPS systems which can be purchased in retail outlets do not pose a problem as they only have a facility for detecting fixed cameras.
The illegal devices which have been confiscated in the last few weeks are small enough to fit in the palm of the hand and plug into a cigarette lighter.
Snr Const Bush said many drivers were also unaware that it is illegal to be caught buying or storing a detector in a vehicle.