Lasers in Cars

[Raiden Gekkou]

I like using my laser while i'm out on the town, but is it illegal for me to use it while i'm riding in a car? I sometimes shine it up out of the backseat window. I don't shine it at cars or planes, only into the night sky, but can I get pulled over or charged for for it?

 

[lasersbee]

YES IT IS ILLEGAL...... to shine a laser in the
vicinity of moving vehicles of any type as well as towards living biological
entities...(humans and animals)

The penalty depends on where you live when the illegal act was
committed...

Shining a laser onto a reflective surface (ie glass) is also not too
prudent unless others in the car are all wearing appropriate Laser
Safety Goggles....

In a nutshell................. Lasers >5mW are not toys....


Jerry

 

[Raiden Gekkou]

Good to know. Of course I don't shine my Spartan at reflective surfaces or organisms, just up into the sky. I walk down the street shining it, so I didn't think that using it while riding down the street would be a problem as long as I didn't shine it at cars or pedestrians.

 

[laser_freak]

What would possibly compel you to shine a laser out of a moving vehicle potentially near other vehicles and pedestrians?

 

[Raiden Gekkou]

What would possibly compel you to shine a laser out of a moving vehicle potentially near other vehicles and pedestrians?

As I stated before, i'm not shining it at cars or people, only in the air. I doubt it's potentially near anyone, unless a lot of people skydive at night.

 

[JimBolder]

Shooting a high-power laser through GLASS in a MOVING VEHICLE?

Sure, sounds like an awesome idea. There is no way this can possibly go wrong.

 

[Raiden Gekkou]

Shooting a high-power laser through GLASS in a MOVING VEHICLE?

Sure, sounds like an awesome idea. There is no way this can possibly go wrong.

Why does everyone assume that no one is smart enough to roll down a window? Maybe it's just an american thing.

 

[Meatball]

What drives you to point into the sky from a car window?

I can think of 500 other situations where it would be easier to do so.

How can you even see any air traffic from the car window?

You HAVE to be aware of what is around you. The city is a horrible place to try and be so aware.

For the sake of us all. Never do this again.

 

[JimBolder]

Why does everyone assume that no one is smart enough to roll down a window? Maybe it's just an american thing.

I sometimes shine it up out of the backseat window.

What did you expect people to assume when you typed this?

Regardless of whether or not you are able to avoid hitting people with the laser, it's still going to be a MAJOR distraction to others on the road. I wouldn't be surprised if you were pulled over for it.

 

[Raiden Gekkou]

What drives you to point into the sky from a car window?

I can think of 500 other situations where it would be easier to do so.

How can you even see any air traffic from the car window?

You HAVE to be aware of what is around you. The city is a horrible place to try and be so aware.

For the sake of us all. Never do this again.

Not while i'm driving either, just looking up into the sky, and pretty much no where else.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

It's a sure way to get pulled over fast, but I really can't see it being that dangerous. If he is shining the laser out the back window of a car, while he isn't driving, and he's basically pointing it at the sky, there is little risk of him hitting another car or person assuming any kind of high angle.

Confession time... I've done it on empty roads out of boredom. I mean if you're on a long drive on an empty highway in the middle of the night... getting pulled over is the only real issue. Haven't and wouldn't do it on a busy road.

As for distraction, I think a beam of light somewhere up ahead is less distracting to people than the usual crap they do, like talking on cell phones, texting, emailing, eating, drinking, etc..

 

[lasersbee]

It's a sure way to get pulled over fast, but I really can't see it being that dangerous. If he is shining the laser out the back window of a car, while he isn't driving, and he's basically pointing it at the sky, there is little risk of him hitting another car or person assuming any kind of high angle.

Confession time... I've done it on empty roads out of boredom. I mean if you're on a long drive on an empty highway in the middle of the night... getting pulled over is the only real issue. Haven't and wouldn't do it on a busy road.

As for distraction, I think a beam of light somewhere up ahead is less distracting to people than the usual crap they do, like talking on cell phones, texting, emailing, eating, drinking, etc..

Why is he doing this in a parked car.....:thinking:
Is he hiding.....

He must be doing it quite often if he needs to ask if
doing it is illegal...


Jerry

 

[Razako]

Honestly I've routinely done this while being a passenger myself. It's a lot of fun sometimes and as long as you're doing it in a sane way there's nothing wrong with it. Just look out for cops and don't do it in heavy traffic situations.

 

[laser_freak]

I still do not understand why! Lasers >5mW are not toys, and should not be treated as such to fulfill your boredom.

Even lasers <5mW are an unnecessary distraction for other drivers.

 

[hakzaw1]

KEEP this in mind- many--(especially law enforcement) know that SOME lasers are attached to weapons- and that getting stopped my cause you to lose your laser at least temporarily. (or worse)

And due to all the glass and mirrors in a car you may regret getting an eyefull by accident.

Anything that can be seen as a distraction to other drivers may end up getting you stopped and questioned.

Bottom line - I would say its can be a bad idea.

hope this helps

len

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Why is he doing this in a parked car.....:thinking:
Is he hiding.....

I think he meant that he's done it as a passenger in the backseat of a moving car. No good reason to do it from a parked car unless you're in a convertible with the roof down. Much better to just go outside.

I still do not understand why! Lasers >5mW are not toys, and should not be treated as such to fulfill your boredom.

I can't speak for others, but to me lasers are a hobby... and as such their sole reason for being in my life is to fulfill my boredom.

Even lasers <5mW are an unnecessary distraction for other drivers.

If they are shined at the drivers of other cars they would be quite distracting, but we're not talking about that here.

If a person suffers from such extreme ADD as to be distracted by a faint beam of light, to a sufficient degree to cause a crash... IMO that person shouldn't be driving at all in the first place.

@hakzaw1 - Playing with high powered lasers at all is inherently dangerous. I do agree completely though... biggest problem is a possibility of misunderstanding with cops.