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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: bassoon1986 on December 03, 2013, 10:50:27 AM

Title: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: bassoon1986 on December 03, 2013, 10:50:27 AM
I see comments quite often on the forum about speed traps you despise. Waldo, FL, and the towns along US 69 in SE Oklahoma come to my mind. Where are the worst cities, counties, road stretches in your area that are well-known for being a speed trap?


In central Louisiana, Woodworth is at the top of my list (and not just because I live here now!) The dip from 55 to 50 for the central 10 blocks or so on US 165 is what gets most people pulled over.

Also Georgetown along US 165 headed north towards Monroe.

St. Landry parish is one of the worst. Probably because US 190 carries so much of traffic headed south to Baton Rouge. Washington and Port Barre are the ones I especially watch out for when I drive through there.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: hbelkins on December 03, 2013, 10:52:26 AM
Summersville, WV, along US 19 is well-known.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Takumi on December 03, 2013, 11:01:24 AM
I-295 in Hopewell, VA
VA 144 in Colonial Heights
US 58 in Emporia, VA
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: formulanone on December 03, 2013, 11:51:22 AM
Lawtey, Florida (north of Waldo and Starke on US 301)

Exit 49 on I-75 in Florida catches several speeders out.

I assume every town where the speed limit drops is a speed trap, to be honest. I've learned that lesson the expensive way.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: bugo on December 03, 2013, 11:54:54 AM
Other towns in Oklahoma:

Big Cabin
Pocola
Panama
Shady Point
Tryon
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: deathtopumpkins on December 03, 2013, 12:16:38 PM
Boxford on MA 133 - short, heavily policed 25 zone that's a fairly abrupt drop from 40/45s on either side.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: 1995hoo on December 03, 2013, 12:38:53 PM
The segment of US-29 south of VA-230 and north of the Bavarian Chef restaurant. People constantly get pulled over through there even though it's a well-known speedtrap.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: NE2 on December 03, 2013, 02:40:05 PM
I tried to go 55 in this thread but my post was deleted.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: hotdogPi on December 03, 2013, 02:44:45 PM
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on December 03, 2013, 12:16:38 PM
Boxford on MA 133 - short, heavily policed 25 zone that's a fairly abrupt drop from 40/45s on either side.

I go that way every Wednesday night at 6:15 PM and back at 9:30 PM. Never a police car.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: cpzilliacus on December 03, 2013, 03:43:25 PM
Quote from: Takumi on December 03, 2013, 11:01:24 AM
I-295 in Hopewell, VA

Yes!  Abusive speed limit enforcement at its best (as in worst).  Hopewell alone should be reason enough to get the Virginia General Assembly to forbid local governments (especially small ones like Hopewell) from doing speed limit enforcement on Interstates and non-Interstate freeways.  Should be the responsibility of the VSP (and only the VSP).  Though I sometimes see local police (especially the Fairfax County Police) doing traffic enforcement on Interstates in Northern Virginia, but it does not seem to be abusive.

Quote from: Takumi on December 03, 2013, 11:01:24 AM
US 58 in Emporia, VA

Also I-95 through Emporia, Va.

And don't forget Va. 7 and U.S. 29 through the City of Falls Church. 

Va. 267 (Dulles Toll Road) and "secret" Va. 90004 (Dulles Access Road) have pretty strict speed limit enforcement by the MWAA Police (a notorious spot is westbound approaching the airport where the speed limit declines pretty sharply (and it is well-signed)).
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: cpzilliacus on December 03, 2013, 04:00:11 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 03, 2013, 12:38:53 PM
The segment of US-29 south of VA-230 and north of the Bavarian Chef restaurant. People constantly get pulled over through there even though it's a well-known speedtrap.

Someone told me that the speed limit enforcement just south of there along U.S. 29 in Greene County is not nearly as abusive as it used to be, because the sheriff that ordered that his deputies to engage in such activities has gone on to the great speed trap in the afterlife. 
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: wxfree on December 03, 2013, 04:40:42 PM
Keene, Texas is the worst I know of.  The speed limit of 50 on US 67 in town isn't unreasonable, but recently the 50 mph zone was extended well out of town where the limit had been 60, and it's strictly enforced.  I don't generally break laws so I don't worry about police, but I've been very closely followed by a Keene cop waiting for me to mess up, which is unnerving.  I was saved when someone ran a stop sign up ahead and got the cop's attention.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: lordsutch on December 03, 2013, 05:09:12 PM
A few:

Always a cop sitting in the median on US 72 in Piperton, TN just past the Mississippi line (55 zone, built to 65+ standards, no urban development to speak of).

GA 96 in Butler and (particularly) Reynolds, Ga. (latter speed limit drops from 65 to 30 in less than a mile).

In addition to Lawtey, pretty much every town on 301 north of Marion County to I-10 is notorious for speed traps. There's a reason AAA (back before their insurance interests trumped motorist advocacy) once boycotted the whole corridor and in the days of paper TripTiks would advise using 10/75 instead.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: hbelkins on December 03, 2013, 06:27:09 PM
Does AAA still denote areas of strict enforcement on their marked maps/Triptiks?
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Brandon on December 03, 2013, 09:15:57 PM
Quote from: NE2 on December 03, 2013, 02:40:05 PM
I tried to go 55 in this thread but my post was deleted.

Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Takumi on December 03, 2013, 11:02:27 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on December 03, 2013, 03:43:25 PM
Quote from: Takumi on December 03, 2013, 11:01:24 AM
I-295 in Hopewell, VA

Yes!  Abusive speed limit enforcement at its best (as in worst).  Hopewell alone should be reason enough to get the Virginia General Assembly to forbid local governments (especially small ones like Hopewell) from doing speed limit enforcement on Interstates and non-Interstate freeways.  Should be the responsibility of the VSP (and only the VSP).  Though I sometimes see local police (especially the Fairfax County Police) doing traffic enforcement on Interstates in Northern Virginia, but it does not seem to be abusive.
Over the years I've commuted to Petersburg (first college, then work) I've seen many, many Petersburg police having pulled someone over on I-95 (but never I-85, only state police on it). Oddly, their surface street traffic enforcement is more lax; just tonight I saw a car next to a Petersburg police officer at a red light mistakenly take off on red, and the police officer just sat there. In Colonial Heights the opposite is true: the interstates aren't really patrolled but the city streets are littered with speed traps. Neither city has the notoriety of Hopewell's traps, however.

Quote
Quote from: Takumi on December 03, 2013, 11:01:24 AM
US 58 in Emporia, VA

Also I-95 through Emporia, Va.
The last times I've gone through Emporia on I-95, I've not seen police. I do see Sussex County police on the long segment between Stony Creek and Jarratt every time.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Bickendan on December 05, 2013, 06:50:22 AM
OR 99E, Milwaukie.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: doorknob60 on December 07, 2013, 06:53:13 PM
US-97 in Terrebonne, OR has a 35 zone, on a 2 lane (plus center turn lane) road that could/should be a 4 lane expressway. Most of the time the entire line of cars (yes, it's usually a long solid line) is going right around 35 so it's not an issue. And I'm not complaining, because unless they build a bypass (which the should, IMO), 35 is a reasonable speed there.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: DaBigE on December 07, 2013, 09:47:03 PM
I was always told that Wis 26 through Rosendale WI was a big speed trap. Maybe I've just had great timing, but I've never seen anyone pulled over nor even a cop parked anywhere along the route any of the many times I've driven it.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: jp the roadgeek on December 07, 2013, 10:24:23 PM
I-84 on the CT/MA line (The Welcoming Committee) : CT and MA cruisers sit driver to driver, CT facing WB and MA facing EB on the border turnaround.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: cpzilliacus on December 07, 2013, 10:48:20 PM
Quote from: Takumi on December 03, 2013, 11:02:27 PM
The last times I've gone through Emporia on I-95, I've not seen police. I do see Sussex County police on the long segment between Stony Creek and Jarratt every time.

When I drive through there, I see the blue-and-gray VSP cars somewhat frequently. I don't recall ever seeing any kind of local law enforcement, at least on I-95 itself.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Alps on December 08, 2013, 01:05:24 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on December 07, 2013, 10:24:23 PM
I-84 on the CT/MA line (The Welcoming Committee) : CT and MA cruisers sit driver to driver, CT facing WB and MA facing EB on the border turnaround.
Never seen that, actually. I do see CT cops about 10 miles from the MA line, for EB drivers.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: jeffandnicole on December 09, 2013, 09:28:06 AM
Quote from: Steve on December 08, 2013, 01:05:24 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on December 07, 2013, 10:24:23 PM
I-84 on the CT/MA line (The Welcoming Committee) : CT and MA cruisers sit driver to driver, CT facing WB and MA facing EB on the border turnaround.
Never seen that, actually. I do see CT cops about 10 miles from the MA line, for EB drivers.

Was it a speed trap, or was it two cops simply talking to each other, which seems to be more likely in this case.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Brandon on December 09, 2013, 09:41:38 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 09, 2013, 09:28:06 AM
Quote from: Steve on December 08, 2013, 01:05:24 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on December 07, 2013, 10:24:23 PM
I-84 on the CT/MA line (The Welcoming Committee) : CT and MA cruisers sit driver to driver, CT facing WB and MA facing EB on the border turnaround.
Never seen that, actually. I do see CT cops about 10 miles from the MA line, for EB drivers.

Was it a speed trap, or was it two cops simply talking to each other, which seems to be more likely in this case.

Typically with two of them in the median, or a parking lot, like that, we call it "mating".  It's where little cop cars come from.  :sombrero:
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Duke87 on December 09, 2013, 07:20:52 PM
Don't think I've ever witnessed two cars parked "mating" at that crossover on I-84, but I've definitely seen the Massachusetts smokeys camped out there.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Alps on December 09, 2013, 07:49:55 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 09, 2013, 09:41:38 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 09, 2013, 09:28:06 AM
Quote from: Steve on December 08, 2013, 01:05:24 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on December 07, 2013, 10:24:23 PM
I-84 on the CT/MA line (The Welcoming Committee) : CT and MA cruisers sit driver to driver, CT facing WB and MA facing EB on the border turnaround.
Never seen that, actually. I do see CT cops about 10 miles from the MA line, for EB drivers.

Was it a speed trap, or was it two cops simply talking to each other, which seems to be more likely in this case.

Typically with two of them in the median, or a parking lot, like that, we call it "mating".  It's where little cop cars come from.  :sombrero:
I never thought of this before, but I hope to always think of this in the future. Too perfect.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: froggie on December 10, 2013, 10:28:35 AM
Quote
Quote
QuoteUS 58 in Emporia, VA
Also I-95 through Emporia, Va.
The last times I've gone through Emporia on I-95, I've not seen police. I do see Sussex County police on the long segment between Stony Creek and Jarratt every time.

The last few times I've gone through Emporia on US 58, I've not seen police.

And on that note, I believe Emporia's reputation comes from 10+ years ago.  I just haven't seen much of a problem there since then.  If anything, I see Greensville County police on US 58 more than I do Emporia cops (Greensville County loves one hill in particular near the airport, for westbound 58 traffic).
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: roadman65 on December 10, 2013, 10:34:20 AM
I have seen Police activity on John Young Parkway in Orlando between Columbia Street and Orange Center Boulevard.  The speed limit is 35 there, but the 85 percentile does 45-50.  It really should be posted for 45 as the state maintained section north of Church Street is 45 and the county section south of I-4 is also 45.  I do not know why the City of Orlando has it at 40 from I-4 to Columbia and 35 from Columbia to Church, but this may be the reason.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: NE2 on December 10, 2013, 12:40:04 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on December 10, 2013, 10:34:20 AM
I do not know why the City of Orlando has it at 40 from I-4 to Columbia and 35 from Columbia to Church
Presumably to reduce noise past the homes that were there long before JYP was a sperm in one of OBT's johns.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: kennyshark on December 10, 2013, 12:50:26 PM
Quote from: Steve on December 09, 2013, 07:49:55 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 09, 2013, 09:41:38 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 09, 2013, 09:28:06 AM
Quote from: Steve on December 08, 2013, 01:05:24 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on December 07, 2013, 10:24:23 PM
I-84 on the CT/MA line (The Welcoming Committee) : CT and MA cruisers sit driver to driver, CT facing WB and MA facing EB on the border turnaround.
Never seen that, actually. I do see CT cops about 10 miles from the MA line, for EB drivers.

Was it a speed trap, or was it two cops simply talking to each other, which seems to be more likely in this case.

Typically with two of them in the median, or a parking lot, like that, we call it "mating".  It's where little cop cars come from.  :sombrero:
I never thought of this before, but I hope to always think of this in the future. Too perfect.

If you remember Rich Hall's "Sniglets" from the 1980s, this kind of situation is called "Adam 69," a play on Adam 12.

Also, I'm surprised no one has mentioned any Interstates in Ohio.  I can't think of any specific areas, but it's like driving in shark-infested waters, with the Ohio State Patrol representing said marine creatures.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: PurdueBill on December 11, 2013, 10:39:52 PM
Quote from: kennyshark on December 10, 2013, 12:50:26 PM
Quote from: Steve on December 09, 2013, 07:49:55 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 09, 2013, 09:41:38 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 09, 2013, 09:28:06 AM
Quote from: Steve on December 08, 2013, 01:05:24 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on December 07, 2013, 10:24:23 PM
I-84 on the CT/MA line (The Welcoming Committee) : CT and MA cruisers sit driver to driver, CT facing WB and MA facing EB on the border turnaround.
Never seen that, actually. I do see CT cops about 10 miles from the MA line, for EB drivers.

Was it a speed trap, or was it two cops simply talking to each other, which seems to be more likely in this case.

Typically with two of them in the median, or a parking lot, like that, we call it "mating".  It's where little cop cars come from.  :sombrero:
I never thought of this before, but I hope to always think of this in the future. Too perfect.

If you remember Rich Hall's "Sniglets" from the 1980s, this kind of situation is called "Adam 69," a play on Adam 12.

Also, I'm surprised no one has mentioned any Interstates in Ohio.  I can't think of any specific areas, but it's like driving in shark-infested waters, with the Ohio State Patrol representing said marine creatures.

In Ohio I can think of a couple places (like I-71 near the OH 83 and US 250 exits) that there is often a Trooper, but the state troopers don't seem to be the major problems on the roads I frequent (they have their lights on at night, are relatively visible even in daytime) are the local police who seem to like to play "gotcha" in more traditional traps that are sudden decreases of the limit on an otherwise-similar quality of roadway. 
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: exit322 on December 18, 2013, 04:11:23 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on December 03, 2013, 06:27:09 PM
Does AAA still denote areas of strict enforcement on their marked maps/Triptiks?

One I got two years ago (specifically requested the "old type") had them marked, and with the little insert that they recommend at least thinking about taking I-10 to I-75.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: mgk920 on December 18, 2013, 04:38:26 PM
Quote from: DaBigE on December 07, 2013, 09:47:03 PM
I was always told that Wis 26 through Rosendale WI was a big speed trap. Maybe I've just had great timing, but I've never seen anyone pulled over nor even a cop parked anywhere along the route any of the many times I've driven it.

ISTR hearing a few years ago that that cop retired.

Mike
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: sandiaman on December 18, 2013, 06:11:35 PM
On  US  550,  the  little  town of San Ysidro, NM  is  a well known  speed  trap.  The  speed   limit  drops  from  65  to  55  then 35 in a short  distance  with a  busy  town constable lurking  in  the weeds.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Duke87 on December 18, 2013, 10:12:00 PM
Quote from: NE2 on December 10, 2013, 12:40:04 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on December 10, 2013, 10:34:20 AM
I do not know why the City of Orlando has it at 40 from I-4 to Columbia and 35 from Columbia to Church
Presumably to reduce noise past the homes that were there long before JYP was a sperm in one of OBT's johns.

Places that drop the speed limit for no other reason than "to reduce noise" make me want to drive through there with my windows down and some obscene music blaring on maximum volume. While obeying the speed limit.

Because if you're going to be an asshole to the people driving through your neighborhood by enacting inane policies that exist for no greater purpose to prevent your precious slice of paradise from being blemished, that is exactly the treatment you deserve.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: NE2 on December 18, 2013, 10:41:56 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on December 18, 2013, 10:12:00 PM
Because if you're going to be an asshole to the people driving through your neighborhood by enacting inane policies that exist for no greater purpose to prevent your precious slice of paradise from being blemished, that is exactly the treatment you deserve.
The neighborhoods JYP cuts through aren't exactly paradise, dickbag.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Blape on December 19, 2013, 02:13:27 AM
Lake Ave. in Pasadena, Calif. between Colorado Blvd. and the Foothill Freeway. 7 lane road signed at 25 MPH.


iPhone
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: 1995hoo on December 19, 2013, 07:37:31 AM
Quote from: Duke87 on December 18, 2013, 10:12:00 PM
Places that drop the speed limit for no other reason than "to reduce noise" make me want to drive through there with my windows down and some obscene music blaring on maximum volume. While obeying the speed limit.

Because if you're going to be an asshole to the people driving through your neighborhood by enacting inane policies that exist for no greater purpose to prevent your precious slice of paradise from being blemished, that is exactly the treatment you deserve.

I've seen a number of TV news reports over the years where residents of neighborhoods that agitated for, and got, speed humps were complaining about people annoyed about the speed humps who would drive through in the middle of the night blasting their horns and such. I seem to recall them wanting the police to sit out there to bust horn-honkers. I don't ever recall any reports of the police making any effort to focus on any such neighborhood.

Strikes me as a case of "be careful what you wish for" when you try to make your thru street miserable for drivers.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: signalman on December 19, 2013, 09:24:06 AM
QuoteQuote from: Duke87 on December 18, 2013, 10:12:00 PM
Places that drop the speed limit for no other reason than "to reduce noise" make me want to drive through there with my windows down and some obscene music blaring on maximum volume. While obeying the speed limit.

Because if you're going to be an asshole to the people driving through your neighborhood by enacting inane policies that exist for no greater purpose to prevent your precious slice of paradise from being blemished, that is exactly the treatment you deserve.
I, for one agree completely with Duke.  While I can appreciate a homeowner's or tenant's frustration with living along a thru street, especially if small children are involved.  It can become annoying having cars cutting through your neighborhood all day, every day.  It could also be unsafe for children who aren't watching for  vehicular traffic before entering the road.  However, these people can't forget that there are others in the same town/region that need to move about freely.  Public roads are, afterall, for the public to travel on. 

The public as a whole doesn't deserve to have to contend with speed humps, reduced speed limits, stop signs, etc; all aimed at traffic calming just because there's a few reckless dicks out on the road.  I try to drive around 25 through residential neighborhoods, always watching out for kids and entering vehicles from driveways.  After being a responsible driver/adult, I get extremely annoyed when a town erects traffic calming measures at local resident's request.  I now have to find another thru route without traffic calming measures (this is where being a roadgeek comes in handy, if I don't know of a way, I have maps) which may involve more turns or a labirynth route.

QuoteI've seen a number of TV news reports over the years where residents of neighborhoods that agitated for, and got, speed humps were complaining about people annoyed about the speed humps who would drive through in the middle of the night blasting their horns and such. I seem to recall them wanting the police to sit out there to bust horn-honkers. I don't ever recall any reports of the police making any effort to focus on any such neighborhood.

Strikes me as a case of "be careful what you wish for" when you try to make your thru street miserable for drivers.
This is a great example of "be careful what you wish for."  I have never personally blasted my horn or music in retaliation towards a neighborhood's traffic calming, but I don't really blame the angered motorists who may do so.  I can understand their frustration, and some are more likely to make their anger seen/heard than others.  I have grown and am more mature and mellow now.  But had traffic calming been more prevalent around here when I grew up, I'd have definitely been blasting my horn and music late at night as a teenager in frustration towards their traffic calming.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: formulanone on December 19, 2013, 09:52:57 AM
Having lived near a busy street, the loud music thing isn't really a bother until after sundown. After that, it's a case of being courteous - I still don't do it in densely packed urban or rural areas, no matter what time of day, because it's a distraction.

I think I probably use my horn a mere 3-4 times a year, anything else than "Hey, stupid! Yer gonna kill someone!" is just being obnoxious.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: 1995hoo on December 19, 2013, 10:04:20 AM
Quote from: signalman on December 19, 2013, 09:24:06 AM
I, for one agree completely with Duke.  While I can appreciate a homeowner's or tenant's frustration with living along a thru street, especially if small children are involved.  It can become annoying having cars cutting through your neighborhood all day, every day.  It could also be unsafe for children who aren't watching for  vehicular traffic before entering the road.  However, these people can't forget that there are others in the same town/region that need to move about freely.  Public roads are, afterall, for the public to travel on. 

The public as a whole doesn't deserve to have to contend with speed humps, reduced speed limits, stop signs, etc; all aimed at traffic calming just because there's a few reckless dicks out on the road.  I try to drive around 25 through residential neighborhoods, always watching out for kids and entering vehicles from driveways.  After being a responsible driver/adult, I get extremely annoyed when a town erects traffic calming measures at local resident's request.  I now have to find another thru route without traffic calming measures (this is where being a roadgeek comes in handy, if I don't know of a way, I have maps) which may involve more turns or a labirynth route.

....

I agree with you and I've always thought neighborhoods that experience high volumes of cut-through traffic should try to pressure the local authorities to do things to make the arterial roads more attractive so there's no reason to cut through. For example, ask WHY people are cutting through. Perhaps it's because of those three mistimed traffic lights all within a quarter-mile that even your member of the county board of supervisors (who later becomes your congressman) jokes are "synchronized–they're synchronized so you have to stop at every one of them." (This happened at a community association meeting when I was in high school.)

The thing about speed humps is that most of the time they aren't designed to keep people at the speed limit. They're designed to discourage people from driving on a given road. I object to that. While I dislike speed humps in general, if I can traverse them without difficulty by driving at the posted speed limit, I won't grumble too much. But way too many speed humps are designed to make you slow to well below the speed limit, or indeed almost to a complete stop, more in the manner of the speed BUMPS you often see in crowded car parks. Those come across as a middle finger to drivers. Unfortunately, so many people are used to the type that make you slow to a crawl that they automatically assume ALL speed humps are like that, even the ones you can safely traverse at 25 mph.

Then you have the speed humps that don't span the whole road (presumably so cyclists can proceed on a flat surface). Some of those are designed so you have essentially three humps. You get some drivers who will straddle the center line trying to drive through the gaps or trying to have only two wheels go over the hump (I do the opposite–I always prefer to have all four wheels go over if I must go over at all, as it wears the suspension more evenly). Last Wednesday night (Dec. 12) I was on a street in Arlington County that had that kind of speed humps. The "SPEED HUMP" warning signs all had auxiliary plaques admonishing drivers to stay on their own side of the double yellow line!




Quote from: formulanone on December 19, 2013, 09:52:57 AM
....

I think I probably use my horn a mere 3-4 times a year, anything else than "Hey, stupid! Yer gonna kill someone!" is just being obnoxious.

I find I frequently have to honk to get the person in front of me moving at a green light, although I try to use a quick beep or two rather than a prolonged blast. If the same person doesn't move at the next green light, though, I'm more likely to blast the horn out of frustration because it's clear the person is not paying attention to driving. I suspect the ever-increasing problem of people not moving coincides directly with the ever-increasing prevalence of smartphones. I also suspect it's directly tied to the increasing problem of people leaving WAY TOO MUCH SPACE between vehicles when stopping at red lights (I routinely see at least one full carlength being left open, often more....drives me nuts when I'm trying to get into a turn lane or access a highway on-ramp and I can't do it because of the huge gaps people leave).
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: signalman on December 19, 2013, 12:01:22 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 19, 2013, 10:04:20 AM
The thing about speed humps is that most of the time they aren't designed to keep people at the speed limit. They're designed to discourage people from driving on a given road. I object to that. While I dislike speed humps in general, if I can traverse them without difficulty by driving at the posted speed limit, I won't grumble too much. But way too many speed humps are designed to make you slow to well below the speed limit, or indeed almost to a complete stop, more in the manner of the speed BUMPS you often see in crowded car parks. Those come across as a middle finger to drivers. Unfortunately, so many people are used to the type that make you slow to a crawl that they automatically assume ALL speed humps are like that, even the ones you can safely traverse at 25 mph.

Then you have the speed humps that don't span the whole road (presumably so cyclists can proceed on a flat surface). Some of those are designed so you have essentially three humps. You get some drivers who will straddle the center line trying to drive through the gaps or trying to have only two wheels go over the hump (I do the opposite–I always prefer to have all four wheels go over if I must go over at all, as it wears the suspension more evenly). Last Wednesday night (Dec. 12) I was on a street in Arlington County that had that kind of speed humps. The "SPEED HUMP" warning signs all had auxiliary plaques admonishing drivers to stay on their own side of the double yellow line!
Most speed humps are nasty and force the driver to slow to well below the posted speed limit, as you noted.  This is what I despise about them most of all.  Random stop signs are a whole different story that I won't bring up in this post.  I will agree that if the speed hump is generally mild and not so steep and can be traversed at at least 20 mph on a road posted at 25, it is fine.  Unfortunately those are quite rare.  I can think of exactly 4; all 4 located on the same loop road (the section with speed humps is in essence a one way loop, but serves as dual one way roads with one way connecting u turns at either end).  Those humps should be used as a model for all speed humps on thru residential roads.  I can easily travel over all the humps at 25 with no damage to my shocks/suspension or undercarriage.  Another set of speed humps near my house (not on my road, thankfully) has shitty pavement on eith side of each hump.  So even if you blast over the speed hump, the potholes will get you.  The township has to know of the problem, but refuses to even patch the holes, much less repave that section of road.

I have never seen the triple humps you allude to.  Around here the humps tend to take up most of the width of the road, and only the first 18 inches or so of pavement on either side is flat.  I see many drivers try to keep their right tires on flat ground and only go over the hump with their left tires.  Like you, if I am forced over speed humps, I will make sure all 4 tires go over said hump.  I do it for even suspension wear too.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: 1995hoo on December 19, 2013, 12:12:49 PM
Quote from: signalman on December 19, 2013, 12:01:22 PM
....

I have never seen the triple humps you allude to.  Around here the humps tend to take up most of the width of the road, and only the first 18 inches or so of pavement on either side is flat.  I see many drivers try to keep their right tires on flat ground and only go over the hump with their left tires.  Like you, if I am forced over speed humps, I will make sure all 4 tires go over said hump.  I do it for even suspension wear too.

Rather than post a dashcam nighttime video capture, I'll give you a Street View link to the road on which I was driving last Wednesday. The Street View car went through on a sunny day, so it's easier to see. I've rotated it around to an angle that makes it easiest to see what I mean about how there are essentially three humps. The sign about keeping to your own side of the center line is to the right of the red pickup, though you may have to click further back along the road to see it clearly.

http://goo.gl/maps/ZTmVT
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: agentsteel53 on December 19, 2013, 01:17:46 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 19, 2013, 10:04:20 AMIf the same person doesn't move at the next green light, though, I'm more likely to blast the horn out of frustration because it's clear the person is not paying attention to driving.

by this point, I hopefully will have gone around them. 

the problem with this is, once their attention returns to the road, they invariably will race you, tailgate you, etc.  the "who dares disturb my slumber!" attitude.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: cpzilliacus on December 19, 2013, 07:51:54 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 19, 2013, 10:04:20 AM
Last Wednesday night (Dec. 12) I was on a street in Arlington County that had that kind of speed humps. The "SPEED HUMP" warning signs all had auxiliary plaques admonishing drivers to stay on their own side of the double yellow line!

Sounds to me like North 16th Street west of Va. 120 (North Glebe Road) - GSV here (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=arlington+county&ll=38.889062,-77.121041&spn=0.008167,0.015857&client=firefox-a&channel=np&hnear=Arlington,+Virginia&gl=us&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=38.889131,-77.120771&panoid=503ij9sh9XOCU8zS3AoTMA&cbp=12,271.48,,0,4.89) (also captured on a nice sunny day).

What's egregious (and IMO egregiously wrong) about the speed humps on North 16th Street is the relatively heavy ambulance traffic on this street - the Virginia Hospital Center is located about two blocks west of the GSV location I posted above.  If there was ever an instance where speed humps/speed bumps should not be allowed, this is such a street. 

At my Silver Spring, Maryland townhouse, we (the HOA) installed speed bumps on our (private and homeowner-funded) streets many years ago for the usual reasons, including speeding Pizza Hut delivery drivers.  But the local volunteer fire company asked us if we would modify them, because they were making life hard for their responders (and for any patients being transported), so when the bumps were worn-out (from scraping the undercarriages of speeding cars), we replaced them with gentler humps, which still have the desired effect.

[EDIT: added after reading further down the thread]

Quote from: 1995hoo on December 19, 2013, 12:12:49 PM
Quote from: signalman on December 19, 2013, 12:01:22 PM
....

I have never seen the triple humps you allude to.  Around here the humps tend to take up most of the width of the road, and only the first 18 inches or so of pavement on either side is flat.  I see many drivers try to keep their right tires on flat ground and only go over the hump with their left tires.  Like you, if I am forced over speed humps, I will make sure all 4 tires go over said hump.  I do it for even suspension wear too.

Rather than post a dashcam nighttime video capture, I'll give you a Street View link to the road on which I was driving last Wednesday. The Street View car went through on a sunny day, so it's easier to see. I've rotated it around to an angle that makes it easiest to see what I mean about how there are essentially three humps. The sign about keeping to your own side of the center line is to the right of the red pickup, though you may have to click further back along the road to see it clearly.

http://goo.gl/maps/ZTmVT

Must be something Arlington is trying out all over the county. 

Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: 1995hoo on December 19, 2013, 10:14:46 PM
The speed humps on North 16th Street no doubt INFURIATED the street's most famous resident. He moved within the past year to McLean (really a bit further west than that), but Alex Ovechkin used to live right around the corner from the hospital (if you view the images on Google Maps, there's a picture of Mike Green's Lamborghini parked in the driveway). Ovechkin is a rather aggressive driver.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: cpzilliacus on December 19, 2013, 11:12:46 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 19, 2013, 10:14:46 PM
The speed humps on North 16th Street no doubt INFURIATED the street's most famous resident. He moved within the past year to McLean (really a bit further west than that), but Alex Ovechkin used to live right around the corner from the hospital (if you view the images on Google Maps, there's a picture of Mike Green's Lamborghini parked in the driveway). Ovechkin is a rather aggressive driver.

Sounds to me like Ovie is an ideal candidate to contribute generously to the Commonwealth's Literacy Fund.  Brings this phrase to mind:

QuoteMy Maserati does 185. I lost my license now I don't drive.

Just for guys like him, I wish U.S. states had "day fines" for serious speeding infractions (such as what earns a driver a summons for reckless driving in Virginia).  Day fines (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day-fine) originated in Finland shortly after independence (1917), and some EU nations use them for what would be considered misdemeanor infractions in the U.S.  The Wikipedia article I hyperlinked makes reference to the (wealthy) Finnish businessman who was fined  €112,000 for 82 k/h in an area with a posted limit of 60 k/h (here (http://www.hs.fi/english/article/-/1135244082566) is the full story in English).

Is €112,000 for 22 k/h over the limit excessive?  Maybe - but speed limit compliance on urban and suburban streets in Finland is probably better than it is in the U.S. (and they do post motorways up to 120 k/h), and speed humps are rare in Finland.  I do think the businessman could have the fine reviewed in court (I don't know if he did - seems like a good lawyer might be useful in this instance).

Getting back to the original topic, I understand that the Finnish police frequently do speed enforcement along Highway E18 west of the Russian border (I don't think they have a "you have been warned" sign in Russian after Finnish customs either, just one of these (https://maps.google.se/maps?q=69.098715,20.756493&ll=69.109345,20.751007&spn=0.003772,0.015857&hnear=0x45daabf00b4b32af:0xcf028173e1ed8c3,69.098715,20.756493&gl=se&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=69.109409,20.750978&panoid=UeSy00Pmjd900WI4RC5S9g&cbp=12,195.72,,0,8.64) [this one is just inside the border from Norway]).  I don't think the Finnish cops target Russian motorists (they seem to believe in equal opportunity when issuing tickets, and from my (limited) understanding of Finnish law, they have an "equal protection under the law" doctrine like the U.S.). 

So perhaps some of Ovechkin's countrymen get an unpleasant "Welcome to Finland" speeding summons?
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: triplemultiplex on December 20, 2013, 10:57:02 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 18, 2013, 04:38:26 PM
Quote from: DaBigE on December 07, 2013, 09:47:03 PM
I was always told that Wis 26 through Rosendale WI was a big speed trap. Maybe I've just had great timing, but I've never seen anyone pulled over nor even a cop parked anywhere along the route any of the many times I've driven it.

ISTR hearing a few years ago that that cop retired.

Mike

Those fucker$ tagged me in 2011 leaving town.  I knew their reputation and wa$ very careful all the way through the actual town, but the city end$ and it'$ $till 40 or whatever out in the farm field$ and $ome worthle$$ a$$hole decided I $tarted $peeding up a tiny bit too early.  That whole town can eat a dick.  I hope they get bypa$$ed by both $tate highway$ and then leveled by a tornado.

I would rather run out of ga$ and hitchhike to FDL than patronize any bu$ine$$ in that corrupt little $hit town.
If that wa$ one cop, he $hould be in jail.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Brandon on December 21, 2013, 09:11:47 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on December 19, 2013, 11:12:46 PM
Getting back to the original topic, I understand that the Finnish police frequently do speed enforcement along Highway E18 west of the Russian border (I don't think they have a "you have been warned" sign in Russian after Finnish customs either, just one of these (https://maps.google.se/maps?q=69.098715,20.756493&ll=69.109345,20.751007&spn=0.003772,0.015857&hnear=0x45daabf00b4b32af:0xcf028173e1ed8c3,69.098715,20.756493&gl=se&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=69.109409,20.750978&panoid=UeSy00Pmjd900WI4RC5S9g&cbp=12,195.72,,0,8.64) [this one is just inside the border from Norway]).  I don't think the Finnish cops target Russian motorists (they seem to believe in equal opportunity when issuing tickets, and from my (limited) understanding of Finnish law, they have an "equal protection under the law" doctrine like the U.S.). 

So perhaps some of Ovechkin's countrymen get an unpleasant "Welcome to Finland" speeding summons?

The targeting may be in the form of Ohio State Troopers targeting those with Michigan plates.  "Sure it's all 'equal', but we hate your guts, so we'll just make sure we keep more of an eye out for you in particular."
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: golden eagle on December 26, 2013, 07:40:47 PM
Wilmer, AL: Cops are always on the lookout for speeders.

Union County, IL: I have an uncle who drives for Greyhound and he told me that if you get a ticket here, you have to pay your fines in person at a later date. This is done so that the county can collect revenue from people renting hotel rooms and eating in restaturants there.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: hbelkins on December 26, 2013, 08:45:53 PM
Quote from: golden eagle on December 26, 2013, 07:40:47 PM
Union County, IL: I have an uncle who drives for Greyhound and he told me that if you get a ticket here, you have to pay your fines in person at a later date. This is done so that the county can collect revenue from people renting hotel rooms and eating in restaturants there.

What kind of court system does Illinois have that localities can set their own procedures for collecting fines for traffic law violations?

In Kentucky, all offenses, no matter the citing agency (state police or local agencies), go through the state court system.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: golden eagle on December 27, 2013, 12:31:47 AM
Beats me. Given that my uncle drives for Greyhound, I'm sure he would know all the goings-on, whether it's first- or second-hand knowledge.  I don't have a reason to not trust what he said.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Captain Jack on December 27, 2013, 07:56:04 PM
In Indiana, a couple come to mind.

I-64 west of New Albany. The limit is kept at 55, even though the road gets quite rural. This is particularly tricky if you are westbound. You climb a lengthy grade, about a mile or so, once you reach the top, the area is rural and the highway appears to open up. State cops are regularly parked along this section, and will write for anything 60+. They have even added one of those nice "Hoosier Helper Patrol Zone" signs sponsored by the fine folks at State Farm.

The worst example I have seen in Indiana however, is along US 24 at Wolcott. The town has annexed just the roadway for about a mile or so to the east of town. There is a wide, sweeping curve, with a small diamond 30 MPH sign. The curve can easily be handled at 50+ and is still very rural. The town cop sits on this curve every night. I got written at 40. A lady at a convenience store in Wolcott told me about them annexing the curve.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: ronaldlee11 on December 27, 2013, 07:59:01 PM
Hanging Rock Ohio is the most notorious speedtrap in Ohio.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: NE2 on December 27, 2013, 08:27:02 PM
Quote from: Captain Jack on December 27, 2013, 07:56:04 PM
There is a wide, sweeping curve, with a small diamond 30 MPH sign.
Which is advisory, not regulatory. However, on the Goog, I see a normal speed limit sign heading westbound before the curve.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: formulanone on December 27, 2013, 08:58:52 PM
I noticed a lot of 25 mph speed limits - even a few 20s - in towns along US 27 in Indiana.

Seems a little low for a through route.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Duke87 on December 28, 2013, 02:47:56 PM
25-30 in a town is normal regardless of whether the route is "through", if it's necessitated by the width of the road, number of driveways and side streets, blind corners, pedestrian traffic, etc.

That said, there are certainly places where the speed limit drops this low unnecessarily.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Mr. Matté on December 28, 2013, 02:55:56 PM
Helmetta, NJ, unless you're a town resident. (http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2013/10/speed_trap_out-of-town_drivers_targeted_by_small_nj_towns_cops.html)
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: formulanone on December 29, 2013, 04:42:29 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on December 28, 2013, 02:47:56 PM
That said, there are certainly places where the speed limit drops this low unnecessarily.

You almost never see that in Florida; 35 mph is a typical drop. Okeechobee is a rare example (25 on FL 70), and even then, it's not a sheer drop, but a gradual one. 25 is an example of a residential area speed limit, not a major thoroughfare limit; an exception could be made for a narrow road, sharp bends, limited sight distances, or uneven terrain.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Truvelo on February 15, 2014, 07:19:37 AM
I spotted one last week in Searchlight, NV. The speed limit is 75 for miles then drops in stages to 25 which seems excessively slow. It's hard to spot but there is a dark blue highway patrol car tucked away in this picture which is hardly visible to approaching traffic :banghead:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.speedcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk%2Fsearchlightsm.jpg&hash=e7d6b333663be1f692770b374587e720750debed) (http://www.speedcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/searchlight.jpg)
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 15, 2014, 07:49:47 AM
^ On the right side of the street, somewhat adjacent to the school crossing warning sign?  Navy blue car?
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Truvelo on February 15, 2014, 12:58:40 PM
I had no idea it was a cop until I got closer then hastily put my camera down before he saw it. It wouldn't surprise me if it's a regular cash cow as it's tempting to ignore the 25mph limit. You'd stand no chance of slowing down in time once you can see the car.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2014, 04:01:35 PM
Quote from: Truvelo on February 15, 2014, 07:19:37 AM
I spotted one last week in Searchlight, NV. The speed limit is 75 for miles then drops in stages to 25 which seems excessively slow. It's hard to spot but there is a dark blue highway patrol car tucked away in this picture which is hardly visible to approaching traffic :banghead:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.speedcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk%2Fsearchlightsm.jpg&hash=e7d6b333663be1f692770b374587e720750debed) (http://www.speedcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/searchlight.jpg)

Speed limit is 335 mph.  Says so on the sign to the right.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: cpzilliacus on February 15, 2014, 09:22:22 PM
Chevy Chase, Maryland - Md. 185 (Connecticut Avenue) northbound just north of Chevy Chase Circle (D.C. border).  There's an automated system in place there now (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=montgomery+county+chevy+chase+town&ll=38.972151,-77.077203&spn=0.002056,0.003964&hnear=Chevy+Chase,+Montgomery,+Maryland&gl=us&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=38.97226,-77.077203&panoid=Tocc5ab0LLvSYP-HvN_KCg&cbp=12,17.21,,0,16.49), but just north (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=montgomery+county+chevy+chase+town&ll=38.973352,-77.077096&spn=0.002056,0.003964&hnear=Chevy+Chase,+Montgomery,+Maryland&gl=us&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=38.973441,-77.077093&panoid=5LeWiOMbOqVZLecdI31uvw&cbp=12,17.7,,0,24.37) of automated enforcement device, the Chevy Chase municipal cops (which have little else to do), are frequently on the lookout for other reasons to make a traffic stop.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: oscar on February 15, 2014, 10:22:54 PM
Carey, ID, on US 20/26/93.  As in many of the other examples above, very abrupt and unwarned drop in the speed limit from 55 to 25, at least coming from the northeast (which is the direction I almost always go into Carey, for some reason). 
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Brandon on February 16, 2014, 07:45:40 AM
Quote from: Truvelo on February 15, 2014, 12:58:40 PM
I had no idea it was a cop until I got closer then hastily put my camera down before he saw it. It wouldn't surprise me if it's a regular cash cow as it's tempting to ignore the 25mph limit. You'd stand no chance of slowing down in time once you can see the car.

There's a quick way to tell as you pass him.  If he's holding up a radar gun (or similar), to quote Admiral Ackbar, "It's a trap!".  If he's paying more attention to his computer and paperwork, he's just out of the way finishing something up.

This guy is easy (for me) to see there on the right.  He's even got the light bar.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Truvelo on February 16, 2014, 11:33:18 AM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on February 15, 2014, 09:22:22 PM
There's an automated system in place there now
(https://maps.google.com/maps?q=montgomery+county+chevy+chase+town&ll=38.972151,-77.077203&spn=0.002056,0.003964&hnear=Chevy+Chase,+Montgomery,+Maryland&gl=us&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=38.97226,-77.077203&panoid=Tocc5ab0LLvSYP-HvN_KCg&cbp=12,17.21,,0,16.49)

If you place the streetview marker on the northbound side it shows a grey Gatso camera on a pole. Presumably the Gatso has been replaced by the green cabinet. There's also a green cabinet on the opposite corner of the junction. I wonder why the move to a stealthier looking device? Also why the new cameras are nearer to the ground making them easier to attack?
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: jbnv on February 18, 2014, 12:03:56 PM
I-10 over the Atchafalaya Basin. 60 mph on the bridge; 70 mph before and after.

Also, LA 3235 in Golden Meadow, LA. 50 mph zone on a highway that is originally 65 mph.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: roadfro on February 23, 2014, 11:54:10 PM
Quote from: Truvelo on February 15, 2014, 07:19:37 AM
I spotted one last week in Searchlight, NV. The speed limit is 75 for miles then drops in stages to 25 which seems excessively slow. It's hard to spot but there is a dark blue highway patrol car tucked away in this picture which is hardly visible to approaching traffic :banghead:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.speedcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk%2Fsearchlightsm.jpg&hash=e7d6b333663be1f692770b374587e720750debed) (http://www.speedcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/searchlight.jpg)

It's pretty standard practice in Nevada for a rural highway to drop down to 25, 30 or 35mph when it enters a town. My observation is that District 1 (southern Nevada) tends to like 25mph, while District 2 (northwestern Nevada) tends to favor 30 or 35mph. (I think there is also some correlation between population and traffic levels in the town also as to whether the limit drops higher or lower, but cannot speak with certainty.) Whatever the case, there is always at least two intermediate stages in the drop before entering town limits, so you know you're getting down to a lower speed.

It looks like in the case of Searchlight, you have a significant portion of 65mph speed (where the divided highway transitions to a 4-lane w/ center turn) before it drops down to 45, 35 and 25mph, at least according to GMSV.

I'd actually agree that maybe 30 or 35 would be a little more reasonable for a town speed here, given the characteristics of the road.


I'm actually more surprised that the speed limit on US 95 is 75mph on the rural divided highway portion. You usually only see 75mph speeds on rural Interstates, so to have that on US 95 (which has at-grade intersections/driveways) is interesting. It must be new to the divided highway, cause the speed limit was only 70mph back when it was two-lane highway--must've been so the Hoover Dam truck detour along with the widening that prompted the increase.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: AMLNet49 on February 26, 2014, 12:47:33 PM
Lowell Connector (formerly I-495 Business Spur) in Lowell, MA is one of the worst speed traps in New England.  Now the speed drop to 55 is for safety as the road is very dangerous, but that doesn't mean people follow it.  There are countless officers there every day and sometimes they have a system in which they communicate with each other and flag violators down.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: hotdogPi on February 26, 2014, 03:19:46 PM
Quote from: AMLNet49 on February 26, 2014, 12:47:33 PM
Lowell Connector (formerly I-495 Business Spur) in Lowell, MA is one of the worst speed traps in New England.  Now the speed drop to 55 is for safety as the road is very dangerous, but that doesn't mean people follow it.  There are countless officers there every day and sometimes they have a system in which they communicate with each other and flag violators down.

That seems more like getting a ticket for unsafe driving.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Alps on February 27, 2014, 12:35:58 AM
Quote from: AMLNet49 on February 26, 2014, 12:47:33 PM
Lowell Connector (formerly I-495 Business Spur) in Lowell, MA is one of the worst speed traps in New England.  Now the speed drop to 55 is for safety as the road is very dangerous, but that doesn't mean people follow it.  There are countless officers there every day and sometimes they have a system in which they communicate with each other and flag violators down.
Hm, I've driven it a few times and never noticed this. Must only be during rush hours.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Pete from Boston on February 27, 2014, 07:02:50 AM

Quote from: Alps on December 08, 2013, 01:05:24 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on December 07, 2013, 10:24:23 PM
I-84 on the CT/MA line (The Welcoming Committee) : CT and MA cruisers sit driver to driver, CT facing WB and MA facing EB on the border turnaround.
Never seen that, actually. I do see CT cops about 10 miles from the MA line, for EB drivers.


There is a barracks at Exit 70, a little over 10 miles from the Mass. line. 

Going east up to this point is a >1-mile downgrade that begins west of Exit 69.  Police sit around the Willington Rest Area and get drivers getting too comfortable picking up speed on that slope.  They can literally see you coming a mile away.

Going west, in the mile or so leading up to Exit 70, there are several curves with limited sight distance where they can get drivers unexpectedly, often pulling them over once again by the rest area.

Other than the standard state-line stakeout car, I don't see many more until approaching the Mass Pike, the Sturbridge run-up to which features rapidly declining speed limits and ticket opportunities.  Look for cops parked at Exit 3B hidden by the curve and overpass -- they make a lot of money off that speed drop just before the tolls.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: Brandon on February 27, 2014, 07:47:20 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on December 26, 2013, 08:45:53 PM
Quote from: golden eagle on December 26, 2013, 07:40:47 PM
Union County, IL: I have an uncle who drives for Greyhound and he told me that if you get a ticket here, you have to pay your fines in person at a later date. This is done so that the county can collect revenue from people renting hotel rooms and eating in restaturants there.

What kind of court system does Illinois have that localities can set their own procedures for collecting fines for traffic law violations?

In Kentucky, all offenses, no matter the citing agency (state police or local agencies), go through the state court system.

They're home-rule municipalities.  Only home-rule municipalities can do that.
Title: Re: Notorious Speed Traps
Post by: rickmastfan67 on February 27, 2014, 08:27:32 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on December 03, 2013, 10:52:26 AM
Summersville, WV, along US 19 is well-known.

The last several times I've passed by Summersville, I've seen 0 cops along US-19.  But I've been seeing more enforcement down in Fayetteville, WV (just South of the New River Gorge Bridge) as of late however along US-19 instead.