NewUsed

Find by category:

Exhaust Notes

Study: Worst Speed Traps in North America

National Motorists Association ranks the top spots in the U.S. and Canada where low speed limits meet high traffic enforcement.

By Claire_Martin Aug 30, 2012 9:24AM
Dallas County map by David BenbennickIf the speed limit changes four times in two miles and police cars can barely be seen lurking behind bridges and oversize shrubs, the writing is on the wall: You're in a speed trap. 

According to a new list compiled by the National Motorists Association, a drivers-rights advocacy organization, the worst speed traps in North America are in a suburb of Dallas, a small city in Michigan and a town in Ontario, Canada. 

The NMA's official definition of a speed trap is a spot that "combine[s] arbitrarily low speed limits with heavy traffic enforcement designed to generate ticket revenue."

Flower Mound, Texas; Livonia, Mich.; and Windsor, Ontario, were the three worst offenders by the NMA's criteria. But special recognition also went to Detroit, where 187 speed traps are reported in towns surrounding Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. 

Overall, Ontario and Nova Scotia, Canada, scored highest in the speed-trap rankings, which were compiled by analyzing five years' worth of data on the NMA's National Speed Trap Exchange, a website where drivers post speed-trap information. The District of Columbia, South Carolina, Michigan, Iowa and Tennessee were the worst in the U.S. The states with the fewest speed traps were Rhode Island, Minnesota and New Hampshire.

The website Trapster.com came out with a list earlier this summer of the big cities in the U.S. with the worst speed-trap problems. New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, Las Vegas and Washington, D.C., topped the charts. Copious red-light cameras and eager traffic cops in New York are the reason for its high ranking. 

To help drivers avoid falling into any of these traps, Trapster.com has an interactive map on both its website and its mobile-phone application that shows the hot spots throughout the country.

1226Comments
Sep 1, 2012 12:31PM
avatar
A police officer attempts to stop a car for speeding and the guy gradually increases his speed until he's topping 100 mph. He eventually realizes he can't escape and finally pulls over.
The cop approaches the car and says, "It's been a long day and my tour is almost over, so if you can give me a good excuse for your behavior, I'll let you go."
The guy thinks for a few seconds and then says, "My wife ran away with a cop about a week ago. I thought you might be that officer trying to give her back!"
____________________

A male driver is pulled over by a cop and the following conversation takes place:
Man: What's the problem officer?
Cop: You were going at least 75 in a 55 zone.
Man: No sir, I was going 65.
Wife: Oh Harry. You were going 80.
(Man gives his wife a dirty look.)
Cop: I'm also going to give you a ticket for your broken tail light.
Man: Broken tail light? I didn't know about a broken tail light!
Wife: Oh Harry, you've known about that tail light for weeks.
(Man gives his wife a dirty look.)
Cop: I'm also going to give you a citation for not wearing your seat belt.
Man: Oh, I just took it off when you were walking up to the car.
Wife: Oh Harry, you never wear your seat belt.
Man: Shut your mouth, woman!
Cop: Ma'am, does your husband always talk to you this way?
Wife: No, only when he's drunk.
____________________
Sep 1, 2012 7:58AM
avatar

One cop, 8 hours a day, 5 tickets per hour, @$150 each, (that's low) times 240 working days a year.

$1,440,000 per year, yep it's a tax!!  Nothing to do with safety or they would drive the speed limit themselves.......

Sep 1, 2012 3:27PM
avatar
Unless the police are using laser guns to check the speed of a approaching vehicle,  according to FCC regulations concerning the use of radar guns the police car must be visible from either side for a minimum of 1/2 mile.  I have received a speeding ticket and the cop car was visible for less than 300 feet.  When i got to court, I pleaded innocent so the cop had to appear.  When the court date arrived, I showed up to the court with a copy of FCC regulations for radar gun usage.  The judge was a bit pissed off at the cop, when i showed photos of where his car was located and the lack of required visible distance.  She dismissed the case and I walked away.  I also informed the officer, I know what I am talking about when it comes to radar usage and FCC regulations.  I have a degree as an Electronics Engineer and also served in the USAF repairing RADAR systems on jets.
Also according to FCC regulations speed traps like some of those in any state is a violation of FCC Regulations and the possibility of losing RADAR gun usage.
Sep 1, 2012 7:27AM
avatar
Around Louisville, Ky the police speed as much as the other people.  I do not believe they think the speed limits are for them.
Sep 1, 2012 6:00PM
avatar
Now if they only come up with an illegal alien trap and fine them money . We would be out of debt in no time .
Sep 1, 2012 1:37PM
avatar

Let's protest by driving the speed limit then the cities will go broke.....

Sep 1, 2012 8:26AM
avatar
Many states set this up just for revenue. Brother in law was a trooper. He had a quota to meet writing tickets. Writing out of state tickets was the best for them. Most people, 99% wouldn't come back to contest it. The plan was to make ten times the price of the cop car and his wages.  Good deal for the state huh ? Just extortion by police forces. 
Sep 1, 2012 9:53AM
avatar
A criminal extortion, undertaken by "law enforcement", to fund their own jobs. Nothing more, nothing less.
Sep 1, 2012 7:05PM
avatar
Did you notice that the yellow light is much shorter where ever  the red light camera's have been installed?  Yes folks, its all about the money! 
avatar
Fee grabbing bastards for their government....It's not about safety...It's about money created from thin air.............I always said, when the **** hits the fan, don't count on them to protect you! They will be too busy protecting the hierarchy in their governments...The money crunch has hit everywhere and their going to make it up somewhere if it kills you or takes food off your table!
Report
Please help us to maintain a healthy and vibrant community by reporting any illegal or inappropriate behavior. If you believe a message violates theCode of Conductplease use this form to notify the moderators. They will investigate your report and take appropriate action. If necessary, they report all illegal activity to the proper authorities.
Categories
100 character limit
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

ABOUT EXHAUST NOTES

Cars are cool, and here at MSN Autos we love everything about them, but we also know they're more than simply speed and style: a car is an essential tool, a much-needed accessory to help you get through your day-to-day life. What you drive is also one of the most important investments you can make, so we'll help you navigate your way through the car buying and ownership experiences. We strive to be your daily destination for news, notes, tips and tricks from across the automotive world. So whether it's through original content from our world-class journalists or the latest buzz from the far corners of the Web, Exhaust Notes helps you make sense of your automotive world.

Have a story idea? Tip us off at exhaustnotes@live.com.