[bamboozle]

I was visiting Alabama for a job interview, and as I was leaving the state on I-20 East (East of Birmingham) there is a very bad construction zone, there is a sign that says "Blasting Zone". They have heavy equipment within inches of the road and evidently they are blasting into the rockface near the road. I-20 road surface is very bad in general in that area, but is even worse at that location. I was afraid to be in the right lane near the heavy equipment (with unbelievably narrow lanes as well as huge cracks in the road on the right side) so I stayed in the left lane. Well of course the car behind was tailgating me, wanting to get by. I waited until the road widened and the equipment was gone, and then sped up to pass the cars on the right which were also speeding up. As I was about to switch lanes to the right, I noticed a car on the side of the road. Being careful, I waited to get into the right lane until after we had passed that car. Unfortunately, that car was an unmarked policeman and he pulled me over for speeding (69 in a 55 construction zone, normally the speed limit in that area is 70). I spoke with an attorney but decided the cost of an attorney was much more than the fine, and paid the fine. I'm regretting it a little as I learned that in Alabama every speeding ticket is a misdemeanor criminal offense! (The part that bothers me is now I have a permanent criminal record?!)

I just think it's really awful for the police to set people up like that. That stretch of road where they catch people is after the construction is over (although still "technically" in a construction zone due to signs). It's not safe for people to be in the right lane where the equipment is, and slow people like me want to get back in the right lane so we don't get rear-ended. That the officer was on the side of the road kept me from going back to the right lane and slowing down. And to boot, now I have a criminal record!!?? For nothing, since I was simply trying to be safe.

I expect to get the job offer, but honestly am not sure if I ever want to set foot in Alabama again.

[Charles]

I think there are speed trap and speed camera databases which can be loaded into some GPS Navigation devices for your car.

[The_Rambler]

Yup, I-20 is in terrible shape through there. I was traveling a lot with my work last year and had several near misses with road crews, missing sections of pavement, etc.

[N00B]

Originally Posted by Charles

I think there are speed trap and speed camera databases which can be loaded into some GPS Navigation devices for your car.

trapster.com - Speed Trap Sharing System is what you are thinking about charles.

It is a great resource.

[Threestep]

a) All these construction zones are clearly marked "55 mph".
b) It was your decision to drive in the left lane.
c) Unless I am mistaken - it was your foot on the gas pedal.
d) Passing a police car at 14 miles over speed limit is generally not a good idea.
e) It is DOT's decision where a construction zone starts and ends and it is marked.
f) To me it sounds like you got busted and try to blame the rest of the world for it.
g) If you get the job and want it you will have a choice - set foot in Alabama again or make someone else happy.

[N00B]

Originally Posted by Threestep

a) All these construction zones are clearly marked "55 mph".
b) It was your decision to drive in the left lane.
c) Unless I am mistaken - it was your foot on the gas pedal.
d) Passing a police car at 14 miles over speed limit is generally not a good idea.
e) It is DOT's decision where a construction zone starts and ends and it is marked.
f) To me it sounds like you got busted and try to blame the rest of the world for it.
g) If you get the job and want it you will have a choice - set foot in Alabama again or make someone else happy.

simmer down Monika... everything is going to be ok!

[ReluctantGardenStater]

You say you might not want to set foot in Alabama again. I feel the same way about speed traps and the lengths some of these bored cops will go to (hiding in bushes and at the bottom of hills), but it's more a local problem than a state problem. The police can be horrible up in NJ, and I can't think of two states more opposite than Alabama and New Jersey, so I don't think it has anything to do with the state as a whole. I got a ticket in Virginia a while back and it would have been easy for me to just not visit the state anymore, but I later learned about where the state troopers tend to set their speed traps, the influence of the police lobby, etc.

I didn't know about the misdemeanor though.

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by N00B

simmer down Monika... everything is going to be ok!

You have never seen me without the lid on:>)