Another Virginia note more that 9 mph over is automatically "reckless"
Dan
Yes radar detectors are a big no, no in VA.
When I ride to VA, there is a large sign that says: "
Radar Detectors ILLEGAL in VA".
WTF? 
I power it off and stash it in the saddlebag, but it is still illegal to even possess a radar detector?
Will it be confiscated if found?
How is the law worded?
Jess?
Gig, it's illegal to have a radar detector
in a hooked up condition in VA (DC too). Either on or off (but one button push away from on). They run dector detectors, so if it's off, you won't set off their dectors, but they may see it. You get a ticket and they confiscate it (and if it takes some work to unhook it, you don't get to leave until it's unhooked). But radar detectors are not in themselves contraband (like weed) in VA, so if unhooked and in trunk or bags, or in a duffel in the back seat of your car, they are not then VA illegal. It is best if they don't see it, where ever you put it.
My ex loans me her top of the line detetor for all my trips up to Belleville to see my mom and brother, but it stays in the glove box until I'm in MD.
And Yuri is right on reckless. 20 over anywhere can be reckless at the officer's discretion (if you're lucky he may just right you for speed), but 80 anywhere is also reckless (including only 10 over in a 70mph speed limit zone on the freeway). And reckless in VA requires a court appearance, you can't just write a check. If you use a cruise control, best set it for no more than 5-9 over, but never at 80 (and change the settings as the limits increase and decrease). Following an outlaw speeder a quarter mile back is also a good plan, but they can come up behind you.
Also note: I-95 and I-81 north and south are patrolled by VA State troopers (very professional and no discernible sense of humor), including unmarked (deeply unmarked, not just plain crown vics) and hidden traps (they almost never give warnings, esp to out of state tags LOL).
They particularly like to set up just over the crest of the many long rolling hills, where you get sick of following slow and slowing tractor trailer rigs going uphill, and you nail it up the hill to pass them. When you hit the crest at high speed, they got you with radar and lidar. You can also expect to see local police and sheriffs on these freeways near the exits surrounding big population centers, where the speed limits are reduced to 65, 60 and 55. With them, you may discern a sense of humor, but still get no warning (just a ticket).
Most deeply unmarked (including confiscated cars of all types) have blacked out windshields, since the officers are in uniform. You won't see a single thing on these cars that says COP, except a blacked out shield. VA is nuts about enforcing dark tinted front windows, so if you see a black windshield, it's a cop.
I don't get many tickets, but two of them were by a 90's red Ford Taurus wagon and a newer silver VW Golf.
This has been a public service announcement. Happy motoring.
