There's a lot of buzz about photo lidar among those who employ radar detectors in their cars to avoid tickets.

But what is this technology? Why should drivers be concerned? And how does a driver detect the detector?

Operating using the same technology as a laser gun, lidar uses light waves rather than radio to clock speeds. This technology is more advanced than radar and has become the rage in recent years.

Unlike radar, laser or lidar basically clocks the time an infrared beam of light takes to reach a car and bounce back to its initial starting point. This time is multiplied by the speed of light to calculate how far away an object is. Through this the laser device is able to arrive at a calculation that reveals an object's speed.

You're cursing down the road, your favorite song comes on the radio and suddenly your foot feels heavier than it did before. Perhaps it's the tapping along to the tune. Or, maybe it's the freedom of the cool wind blowing in your air. Whatever the case, before you know it your speeds have climbed 10, maybe 15 miles above the posted speed limit.

Come on, we've all done it! Speeding isn't smart, but we're all human and slip ups behind the wheel, or more appropriately at the pedal just happen.

Unfortunately, for many, up to 100,000 times a day in the United State alone, this free-spirited kind of driving can lead to a ticket. If you think speeding tickets aren't serious, think again. Not only do they cost the driver money for the ticket and points on their license, that same driver will keep paying for that ticket on their insurance for three to five years. It really adds up.

If necessity is the mother of invention, than government experiments must be the father. As it is with so many great inventions, radar (and the detectors that have since resulted) owe their entire existence to military necessity.

Radar in its earliest form was created during World War II to help Allied forces track ships, planes and other craft of warfare. Standing for Radio Detection And Ranging, radar was tweaked through the years to become the incredible technology we know today. From law enforcement uses to weather predictions, the military's radar has been adapted and added to for a variety of practical purposes since it first came on the scene in the 1940s.

Speeding, even just a little bit, is technically against the law. Those who do so on a regular basis are flirting with costly tickets and other hidden expenses.

For some the penalties might not seem like much, but for others, a single ticket and the subsequent increases in insurance policy premiums can break a budget.

The best way, of course, to avoid a ticket is to not speed in the first place. But, since life is never that simple, it pays for drivers to protect themselves. Whether a person is the kind of driver that just slips up once in a while or one that has a general "lead foot" issue, some advanced warning about upcoming police activity can go a long way toward helping avoid a ticket.

Knowing this, many drivers use radar detectors to help give them the edge in avoiding the ever-so-costly speeding ticket. But how do these devices work? And, are they really effective?

Not all law enforcement agencies are the same. It's a simple fact that some are better funded than others. This means, some have the best equipment; others do not.

That's bad news for drivers who want to avoid speeding tickets using radar detectors. Short of calling all local law enforcement agencies to see what kind of speed clocking system is employed, it's impossible for a driver to tell what police might be using. This means a radar detector that only looks for radio waves might save a driver from a ticket.

Police agencies use two different types of technology to clock drivers' speed – radar and laser. Radar operates using radio wave technology. This is the oldest and most commonly used form of clocking speeds. This technology uses different frequencies of radio waves that operate like a Doppler to offer police a good way to tell how fast an object is moving. The use of radar is regulated by the FCC.

It's a simple fact of life that even the best driver in the world can get a speeding ticket. Even if the driver normally follows all the rules and makes sure to cross Ts and dot Is, slip ups can happen behind the wheel. Whether it's driver error or faulty equipment, things happen.

To help lessen the chances of a good driver getting penalized for a momentary lapse of speed control or even speedometer mechanical error, many drivers are turning to radar detectors to help them know when law enforcement might be on the prowl.

Here are some examples of times when human error can come into play, making the most careful driver more prone to error. These are the times when a beeping radar detector's alarm can come in handy to bring the person behind the wheel back into control – hopefully, before it's too late!

So, you're tired of being a moving target? Don't want to be blind-sided by an expensive ticket? In fear of red and blue flashing lights ruining your day as you cruise a bit above the speed limit on the way to work?

If so, a radar detector might be in order. They can help level the playing field and assist you in avoiding a costly mistake. But, before you rush out and plunk down a few hundred dollars, it's a good idea to know a little about what's available, what's legal and what to avoid.

In the most simplistic terms, radar detectors pick up the radio wave signal police radar guns emit. In doing so detectors allow motorists to know when an upcoming speed trap is likely. Under the best case scenario, a detector will give a driver enough time to slow down and move at speeds in accordance with the posted limits. (Although, it's always a good idea to remember certain circumstances can result in a ticket no matter how good a detector is.)

Buying a radar detector is not like running to an electronics store to grab a radio. A detector is a complicated piece of electronics, but what's more is the fact if you're buying one, you're relying on it to help you avoid tickets. Not just any make and model can or should do.

With this in mind, it's a good idea to do some research on popular models and features before you run out and grab the first model you see and find out it's about as reliable as picking winning lottery numbers. Some makes and models are better than others, it's a simple fact.

While we won't endorse any makes or models here, we will take a look at some of the major features to consider before making a purchase:

No one wants a speeding ticket.

Despite that fact, a lot of people speed. Whether it's an accident of distraction or a person's love for the open road and a taste for speed, it just happens.

Heck, finding a person who has never, ever, even once gone a mile or two over the limit – or more – is like hunting down that proverbial needle in a haystack.

Inasmuch, it's possible for just about any driver anywhere at any time to find themselves on the wrong end of a radar gun. The end result if it happens to be one of those times a driver has edged over the limit is, of course, a costly ticket.

There is no guaranteed way to avoid a speeding ticket unless a driver absolutely never speeds. It's an odds game, but the more a driver speeds, the more likely he or she will be to get one (or more) tickets over the course of their motoring lifetime.

Just like a child that's fascinated by bright, shiny objects, thieves seem to be uncontrollably attracted to automobiles that have flashy electronic devices.

This is great news for those who have little or no pieces of electronic equipment in their cars. Unfortunately, it's bad news for those who drive around with a portable electronics shop under their dashboard.

From radios and CD players to radar detectors, if it's a good piece of electronic equipment, it's on a thief's shopping list. Those who have radar detectors can be at a particular disadvantage, too, since the antennas often serve as advertisements for what's inside the automobile. There's no guess work for the thief.

Inasmuch, it's a good idea for those with detectors to do what they can to protect their autos and their equipment from those looking for a quick, five-finger discount. While there's no sure-fire way to avoid an auto burglar, there are ways for motorists to increase the odds in their favor.

We've all heard of radar detectors, and maybe even laser guns, but what the heck are laser jammers?

They are the latest tool in the arsenal drivers can legally use (in most places) to help them avoid costly tickets. Similar to a radar detector, a laser jammer seeks out laser technology that law enforcement uses and they, in a nutshell, "jam" the signal. This makes a car "invisible" to detection.

Laser jammers are gaining in popularity with those who love radar detectors because of some technology changes that are slowly going on with law enforcement. Now in use in a number of area is "photo lidar." This technology uses a fixed laser and a digital camera to take pictures of those who run lights, speed or otherwise break the rules of the road.

You're cruising down the road, minding your own business, enjoying the scenery when out of nowhere blue and red flashing lights. Suddenly, your great day takes a turn for the worse and the more expensive.

It's estimated that more than 100,000 tickets are given out in the United States each day. Some are for speeding, others for running red lights, aggressive driving, DUI and more. Tickets can cost hundreds of dollars just in the legal entanglements and then, of course, there's the increase in insurance premiums that soon follow. Getting a ticket is a lose-lose situation.

To help them avoid costly tickets for infractions such as speeding, many drivers are turning to radar detectors for help. While these devices can't possibly protect a driver from every possible ticket, they are effective at letting a driver know there's a chance clocking activity is going on in their general area.

Not everyone loves bells and whistles, but for those who do, electronic devices can provide mind boggling possibilities.

When it comes to radar detectors, there are models out there that do so much it's almost a wonder they can't do dishes, too! Offering everything from radar and laser detection to compasses, GPS, road condition alerts and more, these little boxes have become true marvels of modern technology.

But how much is too much? The answer to that question is completely subjective. A driver who really loves gadgets might want a radar detector that does it all, offers every alert possible and looks awesome doing so. Another driver might just prefer a basic, run-of-the-mill detector.

No matter your personal preference, there are a few things to look out for when shopping for a radar detector. First off, it's a good idea to remember the machine's main purpose. If your radar detector does an awesome job of telling you whether you're heading north or south, but doesn't alert you to a possible speed trap, you're in trouble.

Buying any piece of electronic equipment requires the same attention to detail to bring home the best machine for the money invested. Smart shoppers do some research beforehand, set a budget and make sure they get the best in the category they can afford. Generally, there are good, solid models in a multitude of price ranges, so "cheap" doesn't necessarily equate to bad.

The same can be said of radar detectors. Whether they're very expensive, top-of-the-line models or more affordable units that cost a hundred dollars or so doesn't necessarily dictate quality.

The best way to shop for a radar detector is to look around and set your budget. Set the limit for what you can afford or simply what you're willing to spend and then research models in that price range.

Anyone who says they "want" a speeding ticket or they're "thankful" they received one is either crazy or lying.

No one in their right mind wants a speeding ticket! These things cost money and a lot of it. The face value of the ticket is just the beginning. The real price doesn't reveal itself until an insurance company gets a hold of the violation. Then the real ticket price shows up and does so for several years.

So, how does one go about avoid a ticket? With the exception of always, no matter the circumstance, driving at or below the speed limit, there is no 100 percent guarantee to avoid a ticket. Even then, the best drivers in the world can fall prey to their own humanity at just the right moment, finding themselves with tickets for doing as little as a few miles above the limit.

Anyone who has had a speeding ticket knows how costly they can be.

The first hit is the ticket itself. Running around $100 and up, way up depending on how fast you're going, the first hit is a big one. But not as big as the hidden costs that follow. The insurance increases for the next three to five years are where the real hurt of a speeding ticket can be felt, and felt for a long time at that.

What's a driver to do? Slow down? Sure, in some cases that'll work. But for others, a radar detector is the answer. Whether the driver has a bona fide lead foot or simply "slips up" from time-to-time, a good radar detector is a wonderful way to avoid a repeat ticket. The blinking lights or audible alarm that a detector sends out are great little wake up calls to slow down, pay attention and take the lead shoe off!

If you're in the market for a radar detector, it's a good idea to know what you're looking for before you buy. When it comes to catching speeders, police have a variety of tools at their disposal. If you know what they're using in your area, knowing the correct terminology can greatly increase your chances of buying a radar detector that will help you avoid an expensive ticket.

Here are some of the more common terms in regard to law enforcement's tools for speed detection. Knowing them may help you choose the right radar detector for your automobile:

Radar – A radar gun is a tool used by law enforcement that clocks speeds using radio waves. Police use a number of frequencies for this purpose, including X, K and KA, but the most commonly used in recent history is Ka. This basically works by employing the Doppler shift radio waves can create and measuring it to calculate speeds.

They're touted as nearly foolproof ways to avoid having excessive speeds detected by law enforcement. Many drivers swear by them to ensure they don't get caught going a little faster than the posted limit. But what the heck are they?

In a nutshell, radar detectors are devices that allow motorists to know if their speed is being monitored by law enforcement. Somewhat of an all-encompassing term, radar detectors include a number of different devices meant to combat the varying types of speed detection devices law enforcement uses in different parts of the country. The technology, in fact, is so varied that what the police use can be different from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

In the more common and earliest form, radar detection devices were simply pieces of electronic equipment that could tell when police were using a radio wave radar gun to clock driver's speeds. These early devices law enforcement tools, which are still in use in some jurisdictions, use the Doppler Shift to clock speeds. The more common technologies used by law enforcement today use different wavelength bands, generally K, X and Ka.

You're driving along, enjoying the scenery when all of a sudden sirens start blaring and red and blue flashing lights practically blind you from behind. A quick glance down at the speedometer and you realize, your good night just turned terribly bad.

Beyond the obvious horror of a traffic accident, few things scare motorists more than getting caught speeding. Whether it's a normally law-abiding driver or someone behind the wheel who likes to push the limits, a ticket can be costly. Add in insurance rate hikes and extra charges if you're in a restricted area such as a construction or school zone, and a $150 ticket can easily climb to thousands of dollars over the course of several years.