Billboard 'Speed Trap' Warning Irks Police

Associated Press ^ | 08/14/03 | RON WORD

[stainlessbanner]

[Skooz]

Ironic. Waldo, Arkansas is also a speed trap. Watch out for Bradley and Lewisville, too.

[NautiNurse]

That stretch of road is a great shortcut to SW Florida, avoiding the hellish traffic on I-4 through Orlando.

I recommend the route--however, I warn ALL of my friends to SLOW down through those two towns.

[Gabz]

They (AAA) need to erect these signs in a couple of towns in Delaware.

Those speed traps are so bad the legislature actually introduced legislation to limit where certain town police forces were prohibitted from setting up radar.

[olorin]

Except that it cuts into the revenue stream. ;)

[capt. norm]

Fortunately for me, Waldo is a long way East of here.

I can't see why they should complain about the billboard. After all, isn't slowing drivers down to a safe speed what it's all about?

If anything, they should be thanking AAA.

On the other hand, if their sole purppose is to make money from motorists through tickets, then they are the guilty party.

[NautiNurse]

Waldo, Arkansas is also a speed trap. Watch out for Bradley and Lewisville, too.

You forgot to mention Marked Tree--that one got me a date with a judge.

[Freedom4US]

A similar but related issue is the legality of drivers "flashing" their headlights to warn oncoming drivers of LEO's with radar checkpoints ahead.

Speeders annoy me - and I fully support law enforcement; the revenue enhancement techniques are atrocious and only serve to give law enforcement a bad name.

Lets look at the logic involved here. The professed reason to have radar is to reduce accidents, keep motorists's speed down. So, anything that encourages drivers to that end is beneficial, right? Nope. Surprise! Informing your fellow citizens of a speed "trap" is a crime.

[Cyber Liberty]

Why did I know this post was you when I saw the first couple of lines?

[farmfriend]

We need one on the California boarder saying Green trap.

[yarddog]

Does anyone remember Ludowici Georgia?

At one time it was the worst speed trap in the country. It got so bad that Governor Lester Maddox put a billboard outside the town warning the public that the town was full of thieves and robbers. He finally got them to stop after threatening to literally abolish the town.

I understand the nearby town of Jesup was nearly as bad. Now both towns are probably better than average in not giving tickets.

BTW I have passed through Waldo and Lawtey several times and have seen cops giving out tickets each time. I simply do not believe the figure of 17 a day.

[Skooz]

You forgot to mention Marked Tree--that one got me a date with a judge.

Never been there, but I take your word for it.

Bradley is ridiculous: You approach on a 2 lane hwy with a 55 mph speed limit. Then it goes to 45, then 35, then 25 within less than 300 yards.

Unless you get down to 25 before you pass the sign you get a ticket. And only those who have been through there before know where the sign is, because it's around a corner.

[mombonn]

Why did I know this post was you when I saw the first couple of lines?

Cuz you were nibbling Bar Scheeze while reading the thread?

[GraniteStateConservative]

Those kids are probably tycoons now. That's damn smart.

[Phantom Lord]

I don't know how much they made, but it was common for cars to be pulled over next to them. So people did stop and give em a tip.

[js1138]

Speed limits through Waldo range from 55 to 35 mph, except for school zone, which is the state minimum of 15 mph.

This is not quite true. The speed limit on 301 at Waldo changes from 45 to 55 at various places (there is a traffic light). The limit in "downtown" Waldo is 35, except for school zones.

But the real kicker is a 20 yard stretch of the 301 off-ramp, where the limit is 20 mph. I have never understood what they are thinking about unless this is the trap.

I'll be driving throught Waldo tomorrow evening. Done this a couple hundred time without a ticket so far.

[JustAnAmerican]

"anyone rememember the name of the Chevy Chase? movie about four east coast yuppies stopped in a speed trap town? I think "taxi's Jim" was the judge/majordomo"

Nothing But Trouble, Dan aykroyd was the "Ewww" judge :)

[Protagoras]

The police have professed that their enforcement is strictly for safety. If that contention is true, then motorists will slow down through the speedtrap town and the police will have their safety. Sounds like a winning solution all around.

Raising revenue through these government tricks is old hat. And this is small stuff. Try the WOD and asset forfeiture if you really want to see it in action.

[Interesting Times]

[Skooz]

Try the WOD and asset forfeiture if you really want to see it in action.

That's nothing. I pay taxes.