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Motorists take to Internet to alert other drivers about speed traps

Herald-Whig -- That lead foot of yours just got you in trouble with the law again.

You're buzzing down the road and all of the sudden you look in your rear-view mirror and see those red and blue lights. Hasn't happened very often, but been there, done that. There are ways to feel worse, but getting pulled over can be pretty embarrassing.

After giving up your licence and registration, you pray that you get out of this one. Much to your chagrin, you get a speeding ticket.

"That had to have been a speed trap," you say to yourself as you slowly pull away.

You're not alone. There are plenty of other drivers out there who think the way you do, and they've hit the Internet to let people know where not to go. The National Motorist Association recently analyzed five years' worth of data from its website, spee


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Submitted Sep 08, 2012 By: skb69sa
Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics Add to favorite topics  
Author Topic: Motorists take to Internet to alert other drivers about speed traps Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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Sparky19038
Champion Author Philadelphia

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Message Posted: Sep 13, 2012 11:40:11 AM

@remay
re: "Really? Internet real-time in a vehicle?"

Yes.

Some cars have internet connections, although some do not allow manipulation while the vehicle is moving.

Much more common, however:
Smartphones all have data connections (assuming you're in an area that has coverage).

That's how I update gas prices in real-time, using the GasBuddy App on my phone.
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Lou08
Champion Author California

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Message Posted: Sep 12, 2012 4:13:05 PM

Old article!SPEED TRAPS...

[Edited by: Lou08 at 9/12/2012 4:17:22 PM EST]
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remay
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2012 8:33:31 AM

Really? Internet real-time in a vehicle?
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NedW
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2012 3:19:50 AM

Thank you for submitting this article, skb39sa.
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SycamoreISU
Champion Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Sep 10, 2012 12:53:11 AM

Too many times people complaining of "speed traps" will speed consistently, regardless of the posted limit, and faster than the flow of traffic.

I'm not going to play "armchair road commissioner" and try to convince people that they could travel just as safely at a higher speed. Most of the time, they just didn't see the cop in time to slow down closer to the speed limit.
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derKraut
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 4:19:59 PM

Novel but don't like the time - don't do the crime.
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jrs4125
Champion Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 11:59:32 AM

Good idea.
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blupupher
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 9:48:33 AM

don't speed and you don't have to worry about it.
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scu227
Champion Author New Haven

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 6:35:54 AM

Slow down !!!!
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SovietSunrise
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 2:32:37 AM

Here's a very well-written piece by someone on another forum I frequent:

___________________________________________________________________________

I got ticketed for doing 58 in a 45 mph zone on South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton, Colorado by a Littleton officer who had casually pointed his radar gun out the driver's door window at the oncoming traffic while he was stopped at a cross intersection, stuck in traffic.

It's an overpass area, and the prevailing traffic flow is well known to exceed the speed limit as it descends heading South.

I knew the area well and that SSantaFe was heavily patrolled for speeders, so I always stayed in the right hand lane of the three and let traffic blast past me. But the officer had a radar reading locked on his gun and asserted that I was moving with the traffic flow, so I must have been going that speed. He acknowledged that he didn't "lock on" me specifically, but had the speed reading and his perception that I was moving with the traffic flow.

But I wasn't moving with the traffic flow when I crested the rise, and I was actually slowing down as I saw the traffic light at the intersection turn yellow.
The reason the officer pulled me over was that I was the one he could conveniently pull over when I got the green light again ... he was stuck in traffic at the intersection and couldn't go after any of the folks ahead of me.

Fortunately for me, the Littleton city attorney office gave me a chance to tell them the circumstances, which were apparently noted on the comments by the officer ... and his admission that he hadn't actually locked his radar gun on my vehicle to get the reading. I was given a plea bargain reduction to an "obstructed windshield", which is a no-point traffic violation and a fine of $30. I know when it's time to fold and just pay up to the revenue generating system of traffic enforcement instead of trying to fight them ... so $30 it was, and out the door.

They may not necessarily have official or unofficial quotas ... but they know that they must generate so much revenue to justify their jobs. Where there isn't a lot of accidents, and traffic flows well in an area even at over the posted speed limit ... traffic safety is no longer the justification for their presence, they've got to write tickets to generate revenue.
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SovietSunrise
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 1:56:24 AM

What should we do if the speed limit is grotesquely inappropriate for the purposes of revenue generation?
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sciotosix
Champion Author Dayton

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:23:33 AM

Ahh! The internet generation.
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rjoeh
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:20:06 AM

Michigan SP uses the wolf pack format... multiple cars at one location that is slightly hidden with a spotter with radar on a bridge, etc. They notify the next patrol car in line your identifion of vehicle and your good as got.

Observational experience puts rolling speed traps a favorite of Georgia. 5-7 patrol cars spaced at 1-1.5 mile intervals rolling one way. The lead car identifies speeders to the rest of his crew and keeps going as the rest of the team picks up the speeders when they think they were not caught by the first officer and resume their excessive speed, just in time to come into verification radar of the next officer.

Good time to stick with 60 and enjoy the scenery.
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us4usa
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:13:34 AM

SovietSunrise:
To everyone saying "slow down", we shouldn't HAVE to slow down. We should be able to drive anywhere and everywhere at speeds appropriate for the design and conditions of the road.

You are right, and the speed appropriate for the design and conditions of the road is post on the white/black sign at MPH... Which the cops use to ticket you???

No one should be saying slow down, they should be saying drive the speed limit and you will not get a ticket, trap or not...
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N5EXY
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:12:28 AM

YeahBut - - what about the idiots, SovietSunrise? (Yes, I know about Selma, Live Oak, Universal City, etc., as well as Mustang Ridge.) I don't think I like the idea of motorists texting such info while driving.
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Beau2140
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:11:57 AM

Makes sence.
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jrsva
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:08:46 AM

A true speed trap is a place where the posted limit is too low for the road and traffic conditions or where signage is inadequate. These are often set up purposefully to raise revenue. I am all for exposing these locations. If the limit is reasonable and it is properly posted, I’m in favor of speeders getting cited.
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judgemobile
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:08:23 AM

if I see a speed trap, I will rapidly blink my brights on and off continuously, day or night, to warn oncoming drivers. Others have shown this courtesy to me, so the least I can do is pass it on.
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rahcat
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:06:09 AM

Do they post this information to the internet while driving?
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Ahking
Champion Author Orange County

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:03:25 AM

the web is for sharing info. a good use.
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visitor_2
Champion Author Orlando

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:02:42 AM

good
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tutaw
Champion Author Kentucky

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:02:01 AM

ok
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shores4now
Champion Author Kentucky

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:01:15 AM

Ok
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SovietSunrise
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:00:03 AM

To everyone saying "slow down", we shouldn't HAVE to slow down. We should be able to drive anywhere and everywhere at speeds appropriate for the design and conditions of the road.
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us4usa
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:59:50 PM

Just remember that speeder make be headed for your love ones???

96sc1:Why don't they have burglary traps?

They do, its called home owner with a S&W...
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Number43
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:58:16 PM

Slow down.
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DustyHorse
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:56:44 PM

That is great news.
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96sc1
Champion Author El Paso

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:56:43 PM

I love it when they park their high profile vehicles in front of the speed limit signs and then ticket you because you didn't see them.
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nimpy
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:55:34 PM

his is always A G good idea
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SovietSunrise
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:54:16 PM

"Why? If someone is speeding, I WANT them to get caught." - Michael29644

Yeah, that seems to make sense, doesn't it? Except the reality is far more complex. Many roads have inappropriate speed limits for the design and condition of the road & the local law enforcement takes advantage of that not for safety, but for revenue generation. That is WRONG.

Everyone needs to use whatever tools are available at their disposal to protect their own interest. Having our money go to revenue-generating PUNKS is not in the common interest of anyone here.
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fenster66
Champion Author Pittsburgh

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:52:50 PM

interesting...
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gasmack
Champion Author Ventura

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:52:08 PM

Okay.
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trytogetby
All-Star Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:51:46 PM

Texting & driving or heck just pull out your lap top come on.
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96sc1
Champion Author El Paso

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:50:59 PM

Why don't they have burglary traps?
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nigelb
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:50:26 PM

rf6480 - Right! Yapping on a cell phone is almost as bad as texting.
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Z51Corvette
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:50:00 PM

Hey... if the cops want to create speed traps.. then drivers should have the freedom to create speed havens! It really is silly, all of it!
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SalukiCO
Sophomore Author Colorado Springs

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:49:20 PM

Take the upper hand back from those traps!
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Red7002011
Champion Author Mississippi

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:49:17 PM

Really!
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rf6480
Champion Author Miami

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:48:40 PM

a lot of times typing alerts or texting while they are driving
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boldrph
Champion Author Topeka

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:47:00 PM

scoff law
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rozellep2
Sophomore Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:46:59 PM

mmm
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Blue48
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:43:49 PM

OK!
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mfeldstein
Champion Author Ottawa

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:43:45 PM

Gotta stick together against Big Brother, eh?
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sciotosix
Champion Author Dayton

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:42:00 PM

Ahh! The internet generation.
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SammyAdams
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:39:01 PM

It is easy to speed unless you are prone to use your "cruise control" all the time. I appreciate the "reminders" of other motorists who flash their lights to remind you to turn on your lights, slow down, etc. and I likewise return the favor.
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goldrose1
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:36:11 PM

Nothing new.
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Michael29644
Champion Author Greenville

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:35:27 PM

"Just flash your lights."

Why? If someone is speeding, I WANT them to get caught.
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papa56NC
All-Star Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:33:47 PM

Ok
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skyking19
Champion Author Little Rock

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:31:56 PM

Drive the speed limit!
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mrinmoyd
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:31:06 PM

true
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