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am I the only one who thinks its pretty pitiful for the city to have a speed trap set up four days before christmas. I understand that people shouldnt be speeding but it seems in bad taste to go out of there way to set up these speed traps, especially when there not even in construction zones.

A speeding ticket really makes for a nice christmas present, thanks Florence.
A wise man once said "If I said anything to offend you, I'm sorry, but I meant what I said".
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The reason we call an area a "speed trap" is because is tricks people into speeding. 55...45...55...if someone is unfamiliar with the area & not expecting the fluctuation in speed, they fall into the trap. Sounds like a good way to tick people off to me.

However, I'm not sure this is what CE is describing. Something was set up? I don't know what you are referring to. If you mean someone was hiding to catch you speeding, I'd have to pat the officer on the back for a job well done. Smiler
Last edited by _Joy_
THE CITY OF FLORENCE IS UNFAIR TO THE CITIZENS WHO HAPPEN TO GET A TICKET. I'M NOT THE BEST DRIVER IN THE WORLD ,BUT I DO TRY ... I RESPECT THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD,I'M IN NO HURRY GIVE ALL MY SIGNALS ETC. BUT I HAVE GOTTEN A TICKET OR TWO OVER THE YEARS.TWO TO BE EXACT,NOT FOR SPEEDING. I UNDERSTAND THE COMMENT ABOUT THE SPEED TRAP,NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. THATS HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS. HOW ELSE ARE THEY GONNA PAY THE BILLS,SALRIES ETC,FOR THE FLORENCE POLICE DEPT.WHAT REALLY MAKES ME MAD,IS THAT WHEN I GOT MY TWO TICKETS ,I'M 50 AND HAVE ONLY HAD A TOTAL OF FOUR IN MY LIFE. THE MOST RECENT WAS TWO YEARS AGO... FAILURE TO DIM MY HEADLIGHTS, A $20 DOLLAR TICKET.I GOT ONE THREE YEARS AGO FOR A BLOWN HEADLIGHT AND NO SEATBELT,ANOTHER $20 FINE. BOTH TIMES I WENT THE NEXT DAY TO PAY THE TICKET AND IT WAS NOT $20 LIKE IT SAID ON THE LIST OF FINES IN THE STATION NO!!!!!!IT WAS $120 SEEMS I OWED THEM FOR COURT COST. THAT IS JUST WRONG. I WAS WILLING TO PAY THE FINE BUT ANOTHER $100 BUCKS FOR COURT COST WHEN I WASNT EVEN IN COURT.TALK ABOUT ROBBERY.NOW EVERYTIME I SEE A SHARK IN BLUE I CHRINGE,WONDERING IF I'M GONNA HAVE TO TAKE HARD EARNED MONEY FROM MY FAMILY AND PAY A STUPID FINE AND A COURT COST THAT IS UNFAIR AND JUST DOWNRIGHT WRONG.I WENT TO COURT... I'M GONNA HAVE TO PAY THE COURT COST I'M GONNA SEE THE INSIDE OF THE COURTROOM.THAT IS NOT SOMETHING I LIKE TO DO,BUT I WAS GONNA GET SOMETHING FOR MY MONEY.I WAS IN THERE FOR 3 HOURS WITH OVER 250 PEOPLE THAT DAY.THE JUDGE CALLED A GROUP OF PEOPLE AT A TIME. THE FIRST ONE WAS A YOUNG MOTHER OF 3 WHO SHE HAD WITH HER ,AND SHE WAS CRYING"SHE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN AN AWARD FOR HER ACTING"WELL THE KIND HEARTED JUDGE TOLD HER IT WOULD BE OK THAT HE COULD WORK IT OUT FOR HER AND EVEN ASK HOW MUCH SHE COULD AFFORD ON A PAYMENT PLAN.SHE WALKED OUT WITHOUT TO MUCH PROBLEM... NEXT IN LINE WAS A FINE YOUNG MAN WHO I KNOW AND IT SEEMS HE HAD AN OPEN CONTAINER IN HIS CAR... I BET IT WASNT PEPSI.HE WALKED AWAY GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR ,HE TOLD ME HE ONLY HAD TO PAY $35 FOR HIS TOTAL FINE,THE "JUDGE" DROPED THE COURT COST????AFTER THESE PEOPLE WAS A MAN WHO WAS IN FOR 3 CHARGES,POSESSION,CONCEALED WEPON AND NO ONE OTHER TRAFFIC TICKET. WELL HE HAD A GOOD LAWYER AND WALKED ON ALL CHARGES BECAUSE SOMETHING WASNT RIGHT ON HIS PAPERWORK.NEXT IN LINE YOURS TRULY. IT WAS LIKE THEY CHANGED JUDGES ON ME. HE WAS ARROGENT AND RUDE,HE GAVE ME 3 CHOICES. I COULD GO TO DRIVING SCHOOL FOR A WEEK AND HE WOULD DROP THE FINE ,NOT THE COURT COST ,OR I COULD APPEAL THE CHARGES, OR I COULD PAY THE FINE $120 OF MY HARD EARNED MONEY, FOR A STUPID TICKET.I POLITELY TOLD THE JUDGE THE HE WAS WASTING MY TIME TO GIVE ME THE TICKET AND I WOULD LEAVE.I RESPECT THE AUTHORITY,I RESPECT MY ELDERS,BUT A SYSTEM THAT IS STEALING MONEY FROM ME I HAVE NO USE FOR.BECAREFUL OUT THERE PEOPLE,WATCH OUT FOR THE OTHER DRIVER. MURDERS,RAPIST ,HARDCORE CRIMINALS OF ALL KINDS ARE FREE ON THE STREETS BUT IF YOU SPEED OR FAIL TO DIM YOUR HEADLIGHTS YOU'LL BE GIVING YOU HARD EARNED MONEY TO A CORRUPT SYSTEM. THAT IS ALL
The best speed trap in the area may be the one at Rogersville. Although it is mostly maintained by the state troopers. It goes like this 65,55,45,35,45,55, 45,55. I'm not saying people don't need to slow down in those areas, but a strait 45 would work. The most useless is at Brooks High School, all it does is back up traffic so it takes the kids longer to get out.
Maddmax333,

First, using all capital letters is considered "yelling". Quiet down please :-) Some of us are trying to sleep.

Second, either you've been overcharged or you're mistaken. Seatbelt tickets and open container tickets by legislative act do not have any court costs attached to them. They each carry a $25.00 fine with no court cost.

Third, a "blown" headlight is an equipment violation. If you had taken time to read the back of the ticket, you could have seen that you had 72 hours to correct the problem, present it to the appropriate Police department and it could have been checked off, with no cost or court appearance required.

Finally, Alabama doesn't have a week long defensive driving school. 4 hour or 8 hour...that's it.

I comprehend that you are frustrated over what you see as excessive court costs. Court costs are not set by local courts....that is set by the legislature. Minimum fines (like $20.00 for speeding is the minimum fine...maximum is $500.00 plus court costs)are also set by the legislature. So a lot of your complaint is not under the control of the people you're complaining about.
quote:
"am I the only one who thinks its pretty pitiful for the city to have a speed trap set up four days before christmas."


Yes.

Yes, it is pretty.

Yes, it is pitiful.

Therefore, it is lovely and to be pitied.

Take a pretty stranger (or a wayfaring, poor pregnant out-of-town couple) into your home!

It's the holiday season!

Don't do speed.

Don't do crack.

Don't crack the speed.

Don't crack a smile.

(Punctuation and capitalization can be one's friends!)

Overheard: Civil engineer make targets for Mechanical engineers to destroy.
Speed Traps shouldnt surprise anyone... been going on for all my driving years.

In the mornings, almost EVERY single morning before 5:30 AM, there is a cop backed into a parking lot that the Road Crew made about 1/4 mile past the Light going into muscle shoals from the New Bridge... Backed in, Lights off... EVERY DAY!!!! Never seen him stop anyone, nor even turn lights on, ... it is either a speed trap, or break time, lol.
quote:
Originally posted by civil.engineer:
am I the only one who thinks its pretty pitiful for the city to have a speed trap set up four days before christmas. I understand that people shouldnt be speeding but it seems in bad taste to go out of there way to set up these speed traps, especially when there not even in construction zones.

A speeding ticket really makes for a nice christmas present, thanks Florence.


Or takes a nice Christmas Present AWAY from a small child... Roll Eyes

At one time, I was under the MISTAKEN impression that Speed traps were ILLEGAL... Trapping of anykind is illegal, or used to be, or was supposed to be, LOL!
quote:
Originally posted by maddmax333:
THE CITY OF FLORENCE IS UNFAIR TO THE CITIZENS WHO HAPPEN TO GET A TICKET. I'M NOT THE BEST DRIVER IN THE WORLD ,BUT I DO TRY ... I RESPECT THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD,I'M IN NO HURRY GIVE ALL MY SIGNALS ETC. BUT I HAVE GOTTEN A TICKET OR TWO OVER THE YEARS.TWO TO BE EXACT,NOT FOR SPEEDING. I UNDERSTAND THE COMMENT ABOUT THE SPEED TRAP,NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. THATS HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS. HOW ELSE ARE THEY GONNA PAY THE BILLS,SALRIES ETC,FOR THE FLORENCE POLICE DEPT.WHAT REALLY MAKES ME MAD,IS THAT WHEN I GOT MY TWO TICKETS ,I'M 50 AND HAVE ONLY HAD A TOTAL OF FOUR IN MY LIFE. THE MOST RECENT WAS TWO YEARS AGO... FAILURE TO DIM MY HEADLIGHTS, A $20 DOLLAR TICKET.I GOT ONE THREE YEARS AGO FOR A BLOWN HEADLIGHT AND NO SEATBELT,ANOTHER $20 FINE. BOTH TIMES I WENT THE NEXT DAY TO PAY THE TICKET AND IT WAS NOT $20 LIKE IT SAID ON THE LIST OF FINES IN THE STATION NO!!!!!!IT WAS $120 SEEMS I OWED THEM FOR COURT COST. THAT IS JUST WRONG. I WAS WILLING TO PAY THE FINE BUT ANOTHER $100 BUCKS FOR COURT COST WHEN I WASNT EVEN IN COURT.TALK ABOUT ROBBERY.NOW EVERYTIME I SEE A SHARK IN BLUE I CHRINGE,WONDERING IF I'M GONNA HAVE TO TAKE HARD EARNED MONEY FROM MY FAMILY AND PAY A STUPID FINE AND A COURT COST THAT IS UNFAIR AND JUST DOWNRIGHT WRONG.I WENT TO COURT... I'M GONNA HAVE TO PAY THE COURT COST I'M GONNA SEE THE INSIDE OF THE COURTROOM.THAT IS NOT SOMETHING I LIKE TO DO,BUT I WAS GONNA GET SOMETHING FOR MY MONEY.I WAS IN THERE FOR 3 HOURS WITH OVER 250 PEOPLE THAT DAY.THE JUDGE CALLED A GROUP OF PEOPLE AT A TIME. THE FIRST ONE WAS A YOUNG MOTHER OF 3 WHO SHE HAD WITH HER ,AND SHE WAS CRYING"SHE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN AN AWARD FOR HER ACTING"WELL THE KIND HEARTED JUDGE TOLD HER IT WOULD BE OK THAT HE COULD WORK IT OUT FOR HER AND EVEN ASK HOW MUCH SHE COULD AFFORD ON A PAYMENT PLAN.SHE WALKED OUT WITHOUT TO MUCH PROBLEM... NEXT IN LINE WAS A FINE YOUNG MAN WHO I KNOW AND IT SEEMS HE HAD AN OPEN CONTAINER IN HIS CAR... I BET IT WASNT PEPSI.HE WALKED AWAY GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR ,HE TOLD ME HE ONLY HAD TO PAY $35 FOR HIS TOTAL FINE,THE "JUDGE" DROPED THE COURT COST????AFTER THESE PEOPLE WAS A MAN WHO WAS IN FOR 3 CHARGES,POSESSION,CONCEALED WEPON AND NO ONE OTHER TRAFFIC TICKET. WELL HE HAD A GOOD LAWYER AND WALKED ON ALL CHARGES BECAUSE SOMETHING WASNT RIGHT ON HIS PAPERWORK.NEXT IN LINE YOURS TRULY. IT WAS LIKE THEY CHANGED JUDGES ON ME. HE WAS ARROGENT AND RUDE,HE GAVE ME 3 CHOICES. I COULD GO TO DRIVING SCHOOL FOR A WEEK AND HE WOULD DROP THE FINE ,NOT THE COURT COST ,OR I COULD APPEAL THE CHARGES, OR I COULD PAY THE FINE $120 OF MY HARD EARNED MONEY, FOR A STUPID TICKET.I POLITELY TOLD THE JUDGE THE HE WAS WASTING MY TIME TO GIVE ME THE TICKET AND I WOULD LEAVE.I RESPECT THE AUTHORITY,I RESPECT MY ELDERS,BUT A SYSTEM THAT IS STEALING MONEY FROM ME I HAVE NO USE FOR.BECAREFUL OUT THERE PEOPLE,WATCH OUT FOR THE OTHER DRIVER. MURDERS,RAPIST ,HARDCORE CRIMINALS OF ALL KINDS ARE FREE ON THE STREETS BUT IF YOU SPEED OR FAIL TO DIM YOUR HEADLIGHTS YOU'LL BE GIVING YOU HARD EARNED MONEY TO A CORRUPT SYSTEM. THAT IS ALL



NEXT TIME... VOTE THEM ALL OUT, LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT... surprising what one will do when it is "election" time,.... maybe even the Judges???
I really and truly believe that if I had to pay a court cost, and did NOT have to go to court, I would sue. If I went to court, I would understand, and not argue, but pay a court cost for NO COURT??? Does that mean, that in the future, you will have to pay for surgery when you only have the flue?

This stuff sickens me...

VOTE THEM ALLLLLLLLL OUT!!!!!
quote:
Originally posted by Teggere:
The best speed trap in the area may be the one at Rogersville. Although it is mostly maintained by the state troopers. It goes like this 65,55,45,35,45,55, 45,55. I'm not saying people don't need to slow down in those areas, but a strait 45 would work. The most useless is at Brooks High School, all it does is back up traffic so it takes the kids longer to get out.


AVALON, in front of McBride Middle School... this is horrid!!! There is an OVER THE ROAD walk through, so children dont even have to get on the road, but they STILL expect motorists to crawl, and that is just plain NOT right... ...
quote:
Originally posted by flotown1868:
Alacharger, your statements in the last paragraph of your post are incorrect. Thats all i will say. I cannot and will not post a legal analysis.


flotown, GOOD for you, because this is NOT the first time I have heard about stuff like this in Florence... Someone better Wake up and not only smell the coffee, but DRINK it, lol.. Big Grin
I would like to respond to this issue. I used to be a reserve police officer in a small town around here, one that had a bad rap for citing speeders. The whole time I was riding we hardly ever wrote for less than 10 over the posted limit. We still made people mad when they would get a citation for this. I have been in emergency services for almost 15 years and I have seen many accidents because of exessive speed. I do not fault the officers for doing their job, in fact I thank them for thier work to try to make the streets safer for all of us. Now I do not think Florence or any other town has "speed traps", what I think is people in a hurry and speeding get mad because they got caught. All I can say is if you dont want a ticket then slow down and pay attention. I know that Christmas is a bad time for a ticket, but what if someone you know got into an accident because of someone speeding then that would make Christmas much worse. So count your blessings and thank the men and women in blue for their sacrifice to help make this area a safer place to live.
quote:
I would like to respond to this issue. I used to be a reserve police officer in a small town around here, one that had a bad rap for citing speeders. The whole time I was riding we hardly ever wrote for less than 10 over the posted limit. We still made people mad when they would get a citation for this. I have been in emergency services for almost 15 years and I have seen many accidents because of exessive speed. I do not fault the officers for doing their job, in fact I thank them for thier work to try to make the streets safer for all of us. Now I do not think Florence or any other town has "speed traps", what I think is people in a hurry and speeding get mad because they got caught. All I can say is if you dont want a ticket then slow down and pay attention. I know that Christmas is a bad time for a ticket, but what if someone you know got into an accident because of someone speeding then that would make Christmas much worse. So count your blessings and thank the men and women in blue for their sacrifice to help make this area a safer place to live.



Very well stated. To add, I think they should start ticketing TAILGATERS too!
Wake up people!!!!!!!!! Regardless whether it is speeding or a broken tail light or whatever.If it is illegal it is illegal. An old saying is " Laws are made to be broken." Laws are made to be obeyed, they are for the protection of the people.If you are breaking the law then you are guilty. If you are speeding, have an accident you are breaking the law. If you were doing the speed limit the car you had the accident with would have been gone and the accident is less likely to occur. Laws need to be inforced. Most accidents are caused by someone breaking the law. I hate to deal with people going 10MPH in left lane but I move to the right lane and go on. If we obey the law we don't get a ticket, if we disobey the law we take a chance on getting a ticket. Sure most people speed sometimes but face it if we are speeding then we are breaking the law and we deserve a ticket, if we do not come to a complete stop and run a stop sign or go thru a red light then we deserve a ticket plain and simple. People complain about the cops need to be getting rapist, murders, etc. If we obey traffic laws then they vould spend more time on those things but with so many people breaking traffic laws then they have to spend time giving traffic tickets. Whether it is a speedtrap or not if you are doing the speed limit you have nothing to worry about. Whether it is four days before Christmas or June 12th the law is the law. More traffic is on the highways during holidays and more accidents are likely to happen. But they are less likely to happen if we obey the traffic laws. I respect the men in blue and hope they keep doing their job. They might keep someone from killing a member of my family or a friend by giving tickets.
do you know what a "speed trap" is? it's an officer of the law DOING HIS JOB!!! no such thing as a speed trap. if you can put the cellfone down and quit messing with the radio and PAY ATTENTION to the posted signs and laws,
you might very well NOT get another ticket. 45
means 45, not 55 or 60. you have a speedometer in your vehicle for a reason. you might try looking at it every now and then.
While we are on the subject of speed trap...does anyone know why it is still 35 mph across the new shoal creek bridge? I dont see anymore work going on...is it just so the state troopers can keep giving out tickets as fast as they can write them. I go through there every day and cannot see the first sign of any construction work going on!
quote:
Originally posted by corndog:
While we are on the subject of speed trap...does anyone know why it is still 35 mph across the new shoal creek bridge? I dont see anymore work going on...is it just so the state troopers can keep giving out tickets as fast as they can write them. I go through there every day and cannot see the first sign of any construction work going on!


Not hardly. The contractor is still finishing up the striping and signs. They were working on it Thursday when I was through there.

BTW, with the number of construction zone ahead, reduced speed zone ahead, and speed limit signs in the area, there's no way it can be considered a "speed trap". Not to mention most all if it is a straight line view in any direction, and you can see for a half mile from just about anywhere. Anybody that gets a ticket speeding through there just plain deserves it.
quote:
Originally posted by tenglish2000:
I would like to respond to this issue. I used to be a reserve police officer in a small town around here, one that had a bad rap for citing speeders. The whole time I was riding we hardly ever wrote for less than 10 over the posted limit. We still made people mad when they would get a citation for this. I have been in emergency services for almost 15 years and I have seen many accidents because of exessive speed. I do not fault the officers for doing their job, in fact I thank them for thier work to try to make the streets safer for all of us. Now I do not think Florence or any other town has "speed traps", what I think is people in a hurry and speeding get mad because they got caught. All I can say is if you dont want a ticket then slow down and pay attention. I know that Christmas is a bad time for a ticket, but what if someone you know got into an accident because of someone speeding then that would make Christmas much worse. So count your blessings and thank the men and women in blue for their sacrifice to help make this area a safer place to live.


I don't think anyone on here is taking up for the speeder,... it is the ILLEGAL SPEED TRAPS that is the complaint. Surely, if you used to work Reserve, you already KNOW there are speed traps, and you further KNOW they are ILLEGAL!!!
quote:
Originally posted by jeksfg:
do you know what a "speed trap" is? it's an officer of the law DOING HIS JOB!!! no such thing as a speed trap. if you can put the cellfone down and quit messing with the radio and PAY ATTENTION to the posted signs and laws,
you might very well NOT get another ticket. 45
means 45, not 55 or 60. you have a speedometer in your vehicle for a reason. you might try looking at it every now and then.


ONCE AGAIN... no one is taking up for the speeders, or even putting Officers of the Law down for writing them tickets, ... complaints are ILLEGAL SPEED TRAPS!!! Backing into a dark parking lot, with NO lights is entrapment at its finest... never would hold up in court. SPEEDING IS ILLEGAL... SPEED TRAPS ARE ILLEGAL... So which one is the better person????? Neither, that is who!
quote:
Originally posted by jeksfg:
do you know what a "speed trap" is? it's an officer of the law DOING HIS JOB!!! no such thing as a speed trap. if you can put the cellfone down and quit messing with the radio and PAY ATTENTION to the posted signs and laws,
you might very well NOT get another ticket. 45
means 45, not 55 or 60. you have a speedometer in your vehicle for a reason. you might try looking at it every now and then.


Back in the old days before cell phones there were speed traps. When there is a cop sitting 10 feet on the other side of a speed limit sign that is a reduced speed I would think that is a speed trap. One must have time to slow down.
quote:
Originally posted by Yo Brotha from anotha Motha:
quote:
Originally posted by jeksfg:
do you know what a "speed trap" is? it's an officer of the law DOING HIS JOB!!! no such thing as a speed trap. if you can put the cellfone down and quit messing with the radio and PAY ATTENTION to the posted signs and laws,
you might very well NOT get another ticket. 45
means 45, not 55 or 60. you have a speedometer in your vehicle for a reason. you might try looking at it every now and then.


Back in the old days before cell phones there were speed traps. When there is a cop sitting 10 feet on the other side of a speed limit sign that is a reduced speed I would think that is a speed trap. One must have time to slow down.


YO, I couldnt agree more, and this particular Speed Trap that I am talking about IS between two signs that reduces speed, and he/she ONLY sits there in the dark. Now maybe I am totally wrong and the officer is just taking a break, ya think?
Regarding the scenario that I've interpreted from the last few posts...the posters are saying a speed trap is an officer issuing citations just past where the speed limit on one section of a road/highway decreases to a lower limit. As in it was 55 mph, then reduces to 45 and the officer writes anybody who is going faster than 45 and is past the 45 mph sign a ticket.

OK, who's gonna step up and tell me just how far past the sign you are legally able to exceed the new limit?...Or (a little easier) how far YOU think it should be?
Ten feet, a hundred, a thousand, a quarter mile? Who's gonna be the one to say..."from this point on, ya gotta be below 45 mph or you really should get a ticket"...who? Speed limit signs are usually 18"x 24"...they can be seen for a lot further distance than it takes to break 10 or even 20 mph.

Concerning the cop backed up in the dark...there is no law that specifies how cops can watch traffic. Heck, it's legal in Alabama for them to use aircraft from 10,000 feet. Cops can used unmarked vehicles, be on foot, or on bikes or motorcycles.

I don't recall anybody posting that they've seen this particular cop come zooming out and after anybody...could be that it's his regular place to stop and catch up on his shift's paperwork. Or maybe he's had some complaints about reckless driving in the area. Or maybe he's eating his lunch in the car instead of at a greasy spoon. Or maybe he was raised in the area and just feels like he's watching over his home. Lots of possiblilities.
The term speed trap refers to a point where speed limits are strictly enforced by police. It is generally understood as meaning a specific location in which police wait in concealment. For example, a police car might wait behind a bridge or overpass, out of sight of approaching motorists, but has also been applied to locations where a speed camera is posted.

In California traffic law, evidence obtained from speed traps Roll Eyes is not admissible. A speed trap usually means a speed limit that is arbitrarily set, not related to prevailing speeds or hidden dangers, or a speed limit that is enforced by manually measuring travel times over a measured distance. Photo enforcement for traffic signals measure vehicle speeds to set the beginning of the yellow signal indication phase. Some courts have ruled that this is not a speed trap.

The term speed trap is usually used by motorists, not by enforcement officers. It may be considered pejorative, and use of the term may suggest the appearance of speed enforcement by concealed means or excessively strict speed enforcement.

Speed traps have been used since the beginning of the 20th Century as a means to enforce speed limits, and Britain's Automobile Association was set up specifically to notify members of speed traps.

Cities or road sections become known as speed traps where police have a reputation for writing an unusually high number of traffic tickets, especially speeding tickets. Sometimes the posted speed limits are not easily seen; in other places, the limits might be set excessively low.

Speed traps often are found in small towns, often near major highways, in which travelers are less likely to return and challenge a ticket. Speed trap towns typically have an unusually large percentage of their local workforce dedicated to traffic law enforcement or judiciary occupations. Furthermore, traffic fines make up an unusually large percentage of income for speed trap towns.
i'm definitely not going to take the side of the "speeders" in this one, there is no such thing as "illegal speed traps" as well. all you have to do is SLOW DOWN!!! drive the speed limit, WATCH for signs, and above all, SLOW DOWN. walmart ain't gonna close before you get there. we wouldn't be having this discussion about "illegal speed traps" if you didn't get a ticket for "BREAKING THE SPEED LIMIT!!!" look at the posted signs, DUH!
quote:
Originally posted by jeksfg:
i'm definitely not going to take the side of the "speeders" in this one, there is no such thing as "illegal speed traps" as well. all you have to do is SLOW DOWN!!! drive the speed limit, WATCH for signs, and above all, SLOW DOWN. walmart ain't gonna close before you get there. we wouldn't be having this discussion about "illegal speed traps" if you didn't get a ticket for "BREAKING THE SPEED LIMIT!!!" look at the posted signs, DUH!


My Sisters Frilly Skirt

Sounds like you didn't read this whole thread, NO ONE was taking up for any of the actual speeders, but when signs change so quick, and there are policemen sitting in the middle of the change, it is a speed trap. If tickets need to be written for speeders, there are enough people out there speeding, running stop signs, and running red lights and making illegal lane changes to have to set up speed traps. I don't think anyone said anything about AGREEING with breaking the law, so please read the entire thread before coming on here blasting those of us who just don't like seeing police take advantage of CERTAIN situations.
Dear Mr. Citizen:

It seems you have figured me out. I seem to fit neatly into the category where you placed me. I'm stereotyped, standardized, characterized, classified, grouped, and always typical. I'm the "lousy cop". Unfortunately, the reverse is true..I can never figure you out.

From birth you teach your children that I am a person to be aware of, and then you are shocked when they identify me with my traditional enemy...the criminal.

You accuse me of coddling juveniles, until I catch your kid doing something.

You may take an hour for lunch and several coffee breaks each day, but point me out as a loafer if you see me having just one cup.

You pride yourself on your polished manners, but think nothing of interrupting my meals at noon with your troubles.

You raise hell with the person who cuts you off in traffic, but let me catch you doing the same thing and I'm picking on you. You know all the traffic laws...but you never got one single ticket you deserved.

You shout "FOUL!!" if you observe me driving fast, en route to an emergency call, but literally raise hell if I take more than ten seconds responding to your call.

You call it "part of my duty" if someone strikes me. But it's "police brutality" if I strike back.

You wouldn't think of telling your dentist how to pull a badly decayed tooth, or a doctor how to take out your appendix, but you are always giving me pointers on law enforcement.

You talk to me in a manner and use language that would assure a bloody nose from anyone else, but you expect me to stand there and take it without batting an eye.

You say "something has to be done about all the crime", but you can't be bothered with getting involved.

You've got no use for me at all, but of course, it's OK if I change a tire for your wife, or deliver a baby on the back seat of my squad car on the way to the hospital, or save your son's life with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, or work many hours of overtime to find your lost daughter.

So, Dear Citizen, you stand there on your soap box and rant and rave about the way I do my job, calling me every name in the book, but never stop to think that your property, your family, or maybe your life might depend on one thing...me or one of my buddies.

Yes, Mr. Citizen, it's me......The Lousy Cop!

(Author unknown)
quote:
Originally posted by _Joy_:
The reason we call an area a "speed trap" is because is tricks people into speeding. 55...45...55...if someone is unfamiliar with the area & not expecting the fluctuation in speed, they fall into the trap. Sounds like a good way to tick people off to me.

However, I'm not sure this is what CE is describing. Something was set up? I don't know what you are referring to. If you mean someone was hiding to catch you speeding, I'd have to pat the officer on the back for a job well done. Smiler



After reading all the responses, I hold to my first post. To me, a trap is an unnecessary and unusual fluctuation in speed. In any other circumstance I can think of, if you choose to break the speed limit, you also choose to get a ticket. It's that simple.

I got a ticket recently on my way to the airport. I was in a hurry & it was sprinkling rain. I rationalized that since it wasn't raining enough for me to have my wipers on that I need not slow down to the "if raining" limit. The officer disagreed. Smiler Yeah, it irked me, but I could have simply obeyed the "when raining" limit & avoided getting the ticket. My choice...my fault.
I think this is the most ridiculous conversation anyone could ever have. Police officers are paid to do their job just like everyone else. I am not a cop nor never will be one, BUT they do their job. Everyone knows if you speed, you will most likely get a ticket. DUH! Pay attention to the road and signs and you will not ever have to worry about this happening to you. I think we are all adults here and you should grow up and deal with the consequences.
quote:
Originally posted by _Joy_:
quote:
Originally posted by _Joy_:
The reason we call an area a "speed trap" is because is tricks people into speeding. 55...45...55...if someone is unfamiliar with the area & not expecting the fluctuation in speed, they fall into the trap. Sounds like a good way to tick people off to me.

However, I'm not sure this is what CE is describing. Something was set up? I don't know what you are referring to. If you mean someone was hiding to catch you speeding, I'd have to pat the officer on the back for a job well done. Smiler



After reading all the responses, I hold to my first post. To me, a trap is an unnecessary and unusual fluctuation in speed. In any other circumstance I can think of, if you choose to break the speed limit, you also choose to get a ticket. It's that simple.

I got a ticket recently on my way to the airport. I was in a hurry & it was sprinkling rain. I rationalized that since it wasn't raining enough for me to have my wipers on that I need not slow down to the "if raining" limit. The officer disagreed. Smiler Yeah, it irked me, but I could have simply obeyed the "when raining" limit & avoided getting the ticket. My choice...my fault.


Hey Joy Smiler Please tell this old woman what the "if raining" speed limit is? Guess I have been driving so long, that I am "ignorant" of that one, lol.
quote:
Originally posted by tune002:
I think this is the most ridiculous conversation anyone could ever have. Police officers are paid to do their job just like everyone else. I am not a cop nor never will be one, BUT they do their job. Everyone knows if you speed, you will most likely get a ticket. DUH! Pay attention to the road and signs and you will not ever have to worry about this happening to you. I think we are all adults here and you should grow up and deal with the consequences.


DUH!!! We ALREADY knew that!
KS, the area I'm talking about is between Florence & Athens. I think the limit posted is 55/45 if raining. It's a little goofy. It seems like it's raining every time I go to Huntsville, as if going through the construction areas isn't aggravating enough. I absolutely despise that drive...guess that shows a lack of patience on my part. Smiler
I agree with alot of you, and disagree with some too. Im a police officer in the shoals area and just wanted to briefly touch on some things. I'm now in my mid thirtys and have been a police officer for about 9 years now. Before that I was a reserve officer for amost 3 years. When I was growing up I received multiple tickets for various violations, everything from speeding, improper passing, failure to dim headlights, and a couple more speeding tickets, all before the age of 25. Yet I never complained a single time. I think its rather odd for an adult to blame a court system or a police officer for costing themselves money, when they knew what they were doing was wrong. Laws are made for a reason. Each time I got a ticket as before mentioned I treated the officer with complete respect and appoligized for my actions. I wasnt always happy with his or her attitude but understood they were doing there job. I still keep this in mind when making traffic stops and issuing tickets to this day. I understand people make mistakes. I also understand that mistakes cost lives. People sometimes ask me "Ohh so I guess you never did this when you were my age!". I usally responded with "Yes I did, and when I got caught, just as you have, I paid my ticket without complaint". Its a learning experence, that will hopefully be learned early in ones life.
quote:
Originally posted by _Joy_:
KS, the area I'm talking about is between Florence & Athens. I think the limit posted is 55/45 if raining. It's a little goofy. It seems like it's raining every time I go to Huntsville, as if going through the construction areas isn't aggravating enough. I absolutely despise that drive...guess that shows a lack of patience on my part. Smiler


Went through that area today. They've changed the sign. Now it says "60/45 if wet". I must have not been the only one rationalizing. LOL

Thank you, protect-n-serve, for your imput. I agree with you.
quote:
Originally posted by _Joy_:
KS, the area I'm talking about is between Florence & Athens. I think the limit posted is 55/45 if raining. It's a little goofy. It seems like it's raining every time I go to Huntsville, as if going through the construction areas isn't aggravating enough. I absolutely despise that drive...guess that shows a lack of patience on my part. Smiler


I can't understand why there is a difference in speed limits on that highway either. It is the only highway I've ever seen with separate speed limits for wet and dry conditions. 45mph for the 15 miles or so between Elk River and Athens is ridiculous.
ace1965,

A couple of years ago, there were about five fatality and near fatality accidents between Elk River and Athens on US Hwy 72 in about three months. All of them were because of one vehicle or another hyrdoplaning on a rain slick highway, and crossing into the oncoming lanes of traffic. The highway is not engineered to allow water to run off correctly, and without some type of median barrier, cars and trucks were slamming into each other head on at 70 plus. The Governor's office got in on it, and the State Highway Engineer's recommendation was to reduce speed in the area, specifically when the roadway was wet. The only other option was a major rebuilding of the highway, with lots of 35 mph zones for a LONG time.
quote:
Originally posted by alacharger:
ace1965,

A couple of years ago, there were about five fatality and near fatality accidents between Elk River and Athens on US Hwy 72 in about three months. All of them were because of one vehicle or another hyrdoplaning on a rain slick highway, and crossing into the oncoming lanes of traffic. The highway is not engineered to allow water to run off correctly, and without some type of median barrier, cars and trucks were slamming into each other head on at 70 plus. The Governor's office got in on it, and the State Highway Engineer's recommendation was to reduce speed in the area, specifically when the roadway was wet. The only other option was a major rebuilding of the highway, with lots of 35 mph zones for a LONG time.


Well I guess that explains it.
Simple solution to a simple problem: do NOT speed. Use your speedometer. It is what it is there for. Stop, do not Kalifornia stop, at stopsigns or traffic lights.

However, I do feel that 65-55-45-35-35 zones with 100 feet or less between zones is irresponsible and should be looked into. All signs should have brush and trees removed so all can see the posted signs. My wife got busted in rural South Carolina last year because the speed limit sign was obscured by tree limbs, with a cop nearby (local yocal small town type). She called the courthouse the day before the hearing to ask directions so she could appear in court. This suprised the other person on the line, and next thing you know, points dropped, and pay X amount of dollars for the fine (this proved that the town was only interested in money, probably funding for their library).

Use your cruise control. Also, pay attention to road conditions and weather. Do not tailgate, do not road rage (been to Miami before....almost had to use Dr. Samuel Colt on a road rager once there....no joke and not making this up).

A Florence PD cop who is a friend of mine told me this: on highways with say 65 mph speed limit for example, cops use the 10MPH limit rule. Thid due to radar technology not as precise as one would think. If you are 10MPH or over over the speed limit, you are busted. 9MPH to 1MPH over the posted limit, you are OK. Except for wet or other strange conditions. 1MPH or over in a school zone or slow area, say residential, you are busted.
A lot of good comments here, and I agree with most of them. Joy, it has been a long time since I went that direction, I dont like it, lol...

And there is one sign that I can show any police officer that says speedlimit 25, down from 35 down from 45.... the kicker, there is no warnining, none... and then all of a sudden you are there on top of the sigh, which IS hidden by a telephone pole, and it has the thingie installed that tells you the speed you are going... if you are doing 35, like you were directed a few hundred feet before, THEN you are speeding when you hit the 25 one... it is NOT visible until its too late, that is what I call a speed trap.

As I have said numerous time, I do not advocate any moving violations, Insurance is high enough as it is, but I do agree with fairness.

Thanks protect and serve for the job you do for our area, officers aren't being put down here, .. that signage would be a City/County/State issue, and only up to the officer to enforce it.
The biggest speed trap around is in the little place of North Courtland. They do not have rights to write speeding tickets on the hwy20/alt72, but they can give a "too fast for conditions". I went to court to settle the ticket by attending driving school in Town Creek. The Chief at Town Creek that was signing me up for the driving school looked at my ticket and pointed out to me that I was # 261. This meant that 260 people before me have been ticketed and the count began at January 1st and the current month was March. He even said this was ridiculus. BTW, I was doing 70mph in a 65mph zone. I was written up for 70mph and demanded to see the radar gun which I was quickly reprimanded and told to stay in my car or go to jail. I drive this everyday to work from Muscle Shoals to Huntsville. The court room that night I went for my ticket was packed and the line went out the front door. I vividly remember the court clerk that was accepting money and bagging it said to the judge, "We're gonna need to go make a deposit before the end of court tonight". The money bag would not even close it was so stuffed. BTW the conditions were clear, 10:15pm on Sunday night and no traffic.
Last edited by NASA_ISS
Kindred you are so right, we do need to vote em all out, but, really, now..would anything change? the FPD have always been the way they are now. I personally have paid court costs twice when I never saw the inside of a courtroom. It really galled me, but I would have lost my job if I laid up in court trying to defend myself. Once I was really speeding so I didn't get too hacked about that one, but the second time I was absolutely doing nothing wrong and I think I got the ticket because I argued with the cop....I had to pay up but let me tell you I was one unhappy criminal....I also, and this is kinda funny, got a ticket for changing parking places in the wal mart parking lot and neglecting to rebuckle my seatbelt before I changed parking spaces (it was once row over...) the Nazi got me!! Busted, I should have been murdering someone and I would have walked.........thanks to all of you who post, I love to read these things, ya'll make my day....
quote:
and this is kinda funny, got a ticket for changing parking places in the wal mart parking lot and neglecting to rebuckle my seatbelt before I changed parking spaces (it was once row over...) the Nazi got me!!


Hate to break it to you southernwaters, but walmart is private property. Seatbelts are not required nor can they be written on private property. Shouda questioned that one.
quote:
Originally posted by protect-n-serve:
quote:
and this is kinda funny, got a ticket for changing parking places in the wal mart parking lot and neglecting to rebuckle my seatbelt before I changed parking spaces (it was once row over...) the Nazi got me!!


Hate to break it to you southernwaters, but walmart is private property. Seatbelts are not required nor can they be written on private property. Shouda questioned that one.


I respectfully disagree with ya, protect-n-serve. The seat belt code is one of very few that does not require street/road/highway use. It specifically says "when the vehicle is in motion". With very few exceptions, all other traffic codes do specify being on a street/road/highway, but this one (like DUI and reckless driving) does not.

Section 32-5B-4
Requirement of front seat occupants of passenger cars to wear safety belts; exemptions of certain persons.
(a) Each front seat occupant of a passenger car manufactured with safety belts in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his body at all times when the vehicle is in motion.
I didn't know about the private property thing. Thanks for telling me, although I have to admit I buckle up now even if I am driving two feet. Lesson learned...and no court costs involved....thanks, and hey, regardless of what you read here, we know you are not all bad...we just pick out the bad things and tell them. Recently, in fact, a woman took the whole front end off my car when she ran a light and I was treated so nicely by the officer that I was really impressed.
quote:
Originally posted by protect-n-serve:
[QUOTE]quote:
Originally posted by protect-n-serve:

quote:
and this is kinda funny, got a ticket for changing parking places in the wal mart parking lot and neglecting to rebuckle my seatbelt before I changed parking spaces (it was once row over...) the Nazi got me!!



Hate to break it to you southernwaters, but walmart is private property. Seatbelts are not required nor can they be written on private property. Shouda questioned that one.



I respectfully disagree with ya, protect-n-serve. The seat belt code is one of very few that does not require street/road/highway use. It specifically says "when the vehicle is in motion". With very few exceptions, all other traffic codes do specify being on a street/road/highway, but this one (like DUI and reckless driving) does not.

quote:
quote:
Originally posted by protect-n-serve:

quote:
and this is kinda funny, got a ticket for changing parking places in the wal mart parking lot and neglecting to rebuckle my seatbelt before I changed parking spaces (it was once row over...) the Nazi got me!!



Hate to break it to you southernwaters, but walmart is private property. Seatbelts are not required nor can they be written on private property. Shouda questioned that one.



I respectfully disagree with ya, protect-n-serve. The seat belt code is one of very few that does not require street/road/highway use. It specifically says "when the vehicle is in motion". With very few exceptions, all other traffic codes do specify being on a street/road/highway, but this one (like DUI and reckless driving) does not.




hey alacharger.. Below is one of few titles that lay out the rules or specify where title 32 (rules of the road) applies. Notice the part about "The provisions of this chapter relating to the operation of vehicles refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon highways...". I understand what your saying but due to this rule, all of title 32 with the noted exceptions apply to the operations of vehicles upon highways, unless specified within the title itself. If a title doesnt specify within itself or is not alreay mentioned within this title, then it only applies to highways or roadways. This rule has already laid the ground work (which is on highways or public roadways) for all of Title 32 that follows.
Kinda like saying "everything that is in title 32 applies on roadways unless it is already listed here as an exception". But they also threw in the fact that any given title itself could specify if it applied on private property. This was added to prevent them from having to re-write Section 32-5A-2 everytime a new law was added that applied to private property.



Section 32-5A-2
Provisions of chapter refer to vehicles upon highways; exceptions.

The provisions of this chapter relating to the operation of vehicles refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon highways except:

(1) Where a different place is specifically referred to in a given section.

(2) The provisions of Sections 32-7-37, 32-7-5, 32-7-12, 32-10-1 through 32-10-12, as they now exist or may hereafter be amended, and any other statutes of this state relating to accidents and accident reports, and also Sections 32-5A-190 through 32-5A-195 shall apply upon highways and elsewhere throughout the state.
(Acts 1980, No. 80-434, p. 604, §1-101.)
Last edited by protect-n-serve
quote:
Originally posted by protect-n-serve:
quote:
Originally posted by protect-n-serve:
[QUOTE]quote:
Originally posted by protect-n-serve:

quote:
and this is kinda funny, got a ticket for changing parking places in the wal mart parking lot and neglecting to rebuckle my seatbelt before I changed parking spaces (it was once row over...) the Nazi got me!!



Hate to break it to you southernwaters, but walmart is private property. Seatbelts are not required nor can they be written on private property. Shouda questioned that one.



I respectfully disagree with ya, protect-n-serve. The seat belt code is one of very few that does not require street/road/highway use. It specifically says "when the vehicle is in motion". With very few exceptions, all other traffic codes do specify being on a street/road/highway, but this one (like DUI and reckless driving) does not.

quote:
quote:
Originally posted by protect-n-serve:

quote:
and this is kinda funny, got a ticket for changing parking places in the wal mart parking lot and neglecting to rebuckle my seatbelt before I changed parking spaces (it was once row over...) the Nazi got me!!



Hate to break it to you southernwaters, but walmart is private property. Seatbelts are not required nor can they be written on private property. Shouda questioned that one.



I respectfully disagree with ya, protect-n-serve. The seat belt code is one of very few that does not require street/road/highway use. It specifically says "when the vehicle is in motion". With very few exceptions, all other traffic codes do specify being on a street/road/highway, but this one (like DUI and reckless driving) does not.




hey alacharger.. Below is one of few titles that lay out the rules or specify where title 32 (rules of the road) applies. Notice the part about "The provisions of this chapter relating to the operation of vehicles refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon highways...". I understand what your saying but due to this rule, all of title 32 with the noted exceptions apply to the operations of vehicles upon highways, unless specified within the title itself. If a title doesnt specify within itself or is not alreay mentioned within this title, then it only applies to highways or roadways. This rule has already laid the ground work (which is on highways or public roadways) for all of Title 32 that follows.
Kinda like saying "everything that is in title 32 applies on roadways unless it is already listed here as an exception". But they also threw in the fact that any given title itself could specify if it applied on private property. This was added to prevent them from having to re-write Section 32-5A-2 everytime a new law was added that applied to private property.



Section 32-5A-2
Provisions of chapter refer to vehicles upon highways; exceptions.

The provisions of this chapter relating to the operation of vehicles refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon highways except:

(1) Where a different place is specifically referred to in a given section.

(2) The provisions of Sections 32-7-37, 32-7-5, 32-7-12, 32-10-1 through 32-10-12, as they now exist or may hereafter be amended, and any other statutes of this state relating to accidents and accident reports, and also Sections 32-5A-190 through 32-5A-195 shall apply upon highways and elsewhere throughout the state.
(Acts 1980, No. 80-434, p. 604, §1-101.)


Seat belt law (T32-5B-4) is in a different chapter, specifically one titled "Alabama Safety Belt Act of 1991". T32-5A does refer to "Rules of the Road", and is titled that way.

Title 32, Chapter 5A, Section 2

Title 32, Chapter 5B, Section 4

Two different chapters in the same title...the requirements of T32-5A-2 don't apply to T32-5B-4.
quote:
Originally posted by Big Bubba:
Got me one of them big fat tickets a few months ago.


Florence has a new speed trap -- it is on Chisholm road between the red light at Rickwood and the Red light at Pine STreet...they sit -- up to 6 motorcycle cops the other day -- in the little neighborhood next to Georgetown apartments -- the speed limit goes from is like 40 through there, but on either side I think (I may be wrong) the temp is 50 on one side -- so be on your toes...

Why do we have 6 officers in one spot may I ask if it is not a speed trap? There is plenty of other crimes and wht not going on without this...guess the FPD got a new quota mandate from the powers that be...
I have been driving for almost 46 years and can only remember getting about 7 or 8 speeding tickets. Some of them I deserved, and paid without comment. (just the cost of being stupid)
A couple, tho, I still resent, and will tell of them-
1 speed limit dropped from 65 to 45 at the sign. 2AM, I'm the only car on the road (except the cop who was about 100' passed the sign. Caught me for doing 50 (I had just let my foot off the gas and not slammed on the break). Next morning on the news, at a 7-11 1/2 mile away, at the same time I was getting the ticket, a man was robbed and killed.
2. on a road I travelled every day, speed limit was 45 for years. One day they changed it to 35, and about 300' passed the new sign I got a ticket for doing 46. They made a killing that day, and a couple of weeks later, they put the limit back up to 45.
Don't know about legal, but to me this sort of thing is just wrong.

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