CB Slang / Law enforcement
Kojak with a Kodak in trucking
Plain-English explanation
"Kojak with a Kodak" is CB slang for a law enforcement officer using radar or speed enforcement equipment — specifically, an officer parked or positioned to clock vehicle speeds. The reference is to Telly Savalas's character Kojak from the 1970s television police drama, combined with Kodak, a well-known camera brand at the time. The image created is a cop aiming something at passing traffic, like a photographer aiming a camera. The phrase became a CB standard during the 1970s when radar enforcement was expanding on U.S. highways. Drivers who spotted a patrol car with what appeared to be a radar unit pointed at traffic would relay the report: "Kojak with a Kodak at mile marker 87." Following drivers knew to check their speed before reaching that point. In contemporary use, the technology has evolved significantly. Radar guns are still in use, but law enforcement also uses LIDAR (laser speed measurement), automated license plate readers, aerial speed enforcement, and point-to-point speed average systems. The Kodak metaphor extends loosely to any speed-measuring device, though the phrase itself is firmly tied to the CB era. For drivers who use CB radio today, variations like "bear taking pictures" or "camera on the side" also communicate the same information — an officer with speed equipment. Kojak with a Kodak is less commonly heard in daily use than it was in the 1970s and 1980s, but it is still recognized by experienced CB users.
CB slang is road shorthand. It can help with awareness, but dispatch notes, load paperwork, inspection records, and claims still need formal language.
Why it matters in trucking
Speed enforcement is a real cost in trucking — tickets, points, and commercial vehicle violations affect CSA scores and insurance. Any report about a Kojak with a Kodak is actionable information about enforcement presence and speed measurement.
The value is speed and shared awareness. The limit is that slang should never replace exact times, locations, document names, or safety-critical instructions.
Example in real use
A driver on the radio: "Northbound I-75, Kojak with a Kodak under the bridge at mile 112, running both lanes." Northbound drivers know there is radar at mile marker 112 under an overpass covering traffic in both right and left lanes.
Where you might hear it
Kojak with a Kodak shows up in older reports about speed enforcement.
What to check first
- Translate it to speed enforcement if needed.
- Include location and direction.
- Avoid treating a radio report as official confirmation.
Common mistakes or confusion
- Assuming the phrase only applies to old radar guns — the CB shorthand extends to any speed measurement equipment, not just the technology from the 1970s.
- Not including direction and location with the report — "there's a Kojak out here" tells nobody anything useful; the mile marker and direction are what matter.
- Treating CB speed enforcement reports as guaranteed current information — an officer spotted 15 minutes ago may have left or moved to a different position.
Related terms
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Sources and last updated
Last updated: 2026-05-10