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Web site showing speed traps in your state

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Yep, many of what is called out do exist.
 
So the question needs to be asked.

Exactly what is a speed trap?

I read some of the entries for my town and everyone knows the cops intermittently monitor those spots along with many MANY others.

But I always thought a speed trap was a location where it's impossible to avoid the speed trap. Like a short distance between say a 55mph zone to a 30 or a 25mph zone within an unusually short distance and/or no warning of the reduction of speed until it's too late to react.

In each of the areas mentioned on this web site – all have clearly posted speed limit signs with no reductions in speed. So if someone’s going to get popped by the local constabulary for speeding in these locations IMHO they can’t complain.

So again – What is a speed trap?
 
Basically, where they set up to try and catch the speeder. They have their favourite areas where they sit and wait. Strictly speaking, a speed trap is a more fixed thing per your description, you are correct, but the term can be used to describe either.
 
A speed trap is where an officer times you with a stopwatch between two points. They are also illegal because of their inaccuracy.

Any time people get a ticket, they inaccurately call it a speed trap, but this usage of the term is becoming commonplace.
 
Speeding citations are for both revenue and for safety, but they are definitely more for revenue. If tickets didn't generate revenue for the state / county, there would be far fewer handed out.
 
Doug

Been there and done that in an 18 wheeler. Cost $345 for 500 pounds over. By the way I'm trading the 77 B so if you are interested it is going to go one way or the other soon.
 
I guess I'm looking at the issue from a different angle. To me the fines aren't so much revenue to the city or government as it is a part of the punishment to the violator. Some folks don’t care until it hits them in the wallet. But maybe everyone would be happier if the constabulary just tossed folks in jail. I mean if not fines - what then?

Thing is people’d be complaining about getting a speeding ticket the same way they do any moving violation. They’re all upset and blame the cop rather than accepting the fact that they got caught breaking the law. I mean the cops didn’t make that person decide to speed in the first place.

Fact is if someone is doing twenty plus over the posted speed limit and approaches slower traffic ahead – it’s a catalyst for a dangerous situation.
 
I agree totally. What we are talking about is the quick speed limit signs and the towns that have 15 MPH limits with the "locals" getting a pass and the outsiders getting a ticket to see the local judge. OK?
 
Sounds like something out of “B” movie from the 50’s or 60’s.

But hey, don’t get me wrong I’m not saying such places don't still exist (perhaps in some small rural communities) but I haven't heard of that being a problem most metropolitan areas.
 
I agree Bret, and speeding citations do help reduce the number of people driving dangerously. But in my opinion the prime motivation (not the sole one) behind handing them out is revenue. Even when speeding is warranted, and there are times when it is, you won't get out of it because the state wants money and it's the officer's job to get it. But you're right that there's no reason to complain if you know the rules and break them, although some speeding tickets really should not be written. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
But again if not money? What then? Jail? Hardly a serious option save for the most serious offenders.

Again folks would complain no mater what - because as we all know, it's not our fault when we get caught - it's the cop's for catching us. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif
 
folks, the list for my area was dead on, we have an officer here in stamford ct. that will hand out speeding tickets if you exeed the limit by just 1 m.p.h. i didnt think radar or lazer was that accurate or might have a built in fudge factor one day he got a friend of mine for a 2 m.p.h violation, my friend gave him some lip and the officer sighted everyone that came out of my friends house his mom, his dad, his sister and brother in law, then he got my friend again as he was on his way home as a result my friends insurance rates went through the roof and was kept from obtaining his pistol permit, now thats way out of line but just everyone in this town is still driving around while using their cell phone and not getting a ticket for it, this same officer ticketed my son a couple of months ago for going 4 m.p.h. over the speed limit all i could say was "son you did exceed the limit" i have several friends on the force in stamford and at hearing the name of this traffic officers just roll their eyes and shake their heads. the point is if ya dont want a speeding ticket dont speed or go really really fast. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif
 
My ex-girl friend got a ticket in her brand new SUV about a year ago for doing 38 in a 25 mph zone. Her excuses why the cop should’ve let her go with a warning where several fold -

They where:
“I don’t believe I was going that fast.” To wit I said – “you mean, you don’t know how fast you where going at the time?”
Then that changed to “Well I think he should’ve given me a break, because wasn’t used to the new car yet & didn’t realize I was going that fast.” Again I pointed out that when piloting a vehicle on the road – you need to know how fast you are going.
Next she said - “The cop shouldn’t of given me a ticket because I lived just around the corner”. I said well I can’t argue with that logic – but let me know how the judge receives that excuse when you fight it.

After all that I told her that none of those where valid reasons she said:
“Well I think the cop was mean – why couldn’t he of just given me a warning.”

To me she did what most of us do when we get pulled over, when we shift the blame for our transgressions to the officer issuing the ticket. Never ourselves.

So while we know who was truely at fault in this case, I was the one who got punished. Because I was left alone to watch our kids while she got off easy and attended traffic school. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif
 
The accepted practice in the UK was to allow a "fudge factor" of 10% owing to the inaccuracy of the speedometers in cars.......with the speed cameras they have over there now, I doubt that is the case any more.

By the way, I NEVER wrote a ticket for speeding. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
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