There are lots of different ways law enforcement and traffic enforcement agencies catch dangerous drivers and one of these ways is called the speed trap. Originally designed to help authorities get their hands on those who disobey the speed limits, speed traps are now an unreasonable nuisance that many motorists would much rather do without.
What is a Speed Trap?
There are certain speed limits that need to be observed depending on the location you’re cruising through. Some roads for example will allow higher speeds than others. This is primarily because of safety concerns and precautions that the locality have deemed important. But in recent years, speed traps have become a mainstay in these areas. That is, certain traffic and law enforcement personnel will deliberately set an unreasonably low speed limit that’s near impossible to observe. Anyone who goes beyond it will be caught and penalized – unless of course they’re willing to pay a “fee.” As expected, this fee would go straight to the pocket of the available enforcer and the violator will be given nothing more than a slap on the wrist before being granted passage. Speed traps have become more and more common in the past few years, but thanks to the efforts of disgruntled drivers and their lawyers, speed traps are slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Are Speed Traps Legal?
Enforcing certain speed limits in risky places is completely legal. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of those who drive in and around the area. Taking money from motorists however to grant them passage through these locations is illegal and punishable by law. As drivers, we should be able to identify when a traffic enforcer is simply doing their job or taking advantage of our sticky situation. You can learn more about your rights as a driver by looking up local laws and regulations in via a basic internet search. Remember, by steering clear of traffic violations, you can effectively grant yourself freedom from those who want to make money off of your mistakes.
Keep yourself in the know and read up on driving rules and regulations. By updating yourself on the necessary information, you can keep yourself and your record clear of any penalties or violations whether or not they’re legal. You can also opt to report unlawful speed traps in your area to save others from the trouble and the ticket.