[Mike1306]

Been through Waldo too many times to count and never got a speeding ticket, wonder why?

[mikegm]

Originally Posted by mikegm

I went through Waldo and Lawtey by necessity 3 days ago and saw no police in either town; they were either very well-hidden or had made their quotas for the day, as I saw no one pulled over in either town. However, I drove well under the constantly changing speed limits all the way through and slowed to 15 miles per hour as soon as I saw the school zone light (which was not flashing, but I was not going to take the chance). The car that was behind me did not tailgate; apparently, everyone on SR 24 and US 301 knew of Waldo's reputation, as they were all going slow through Waldo. Nonetheless, if I can avoid that stretch of 24/301 in the future, I will.

UPDATE: Had to go through Lawtey and Waldo again yesterday while going from Jacksonville to Gainesville. This time, in Lawtey, there was a gray unmarked cruiser parked at a church, apparently running radar or laser. However, no one was pulled over (everyone I saw was going 5-10 miles under the limit, including myself). In Waldo, there was a marked car with a red SUV parked alongside it, with another car hiding just down the road. I made it out of town, again going 5-10 under the limit until I was about a mile past the 65 mph sign on SR 24. I also noticed that there was only one billboard warning of the Lawtey speed trap on US 301-S; the others (Lawtey- US 301-N and both for Waldo) have apparently been removed. So be extra careful, especially approaching Waldo from the south and north and Lawtey on 301-N.

The speed limit signs do have orange reflective strips at the tops where the limits change in both towns, but it is best to slow down before getting to those signs. Also, be very much aware of the school zone flashing light at the intersection of 301 and SR 24, especially going southbound, as you will be there right when get off the curved exit lane from 301 (best to slow to 15 MPH before the end of the curve), as it is possible that they could get you whether or not the flashing school zone light is on; this time of the year, they could also claim that they have summer school.

[Miserable Midwest]

The best way to fix this problem would be for the state to re-route 301 so that it bypasses Waldo completely.

[CrowGirl]

I would like to thank my fellow C-Ders. I drove to Savannah from Tampa and back over the last week and went through Starke, Waldo and LAwtey. The first time is was pissing down rain and speeding was completely out of the question. But coming home I was very creful going through the corridor thanks to the threads on this forum.

I did laugh at Lawtey's welcome sign that took pride in the fact that it is known as a spped trap.

[stephenpe55]

I drove to work, through Waldo, for over 25 years. NEVER got a speeding ticket because
I drove the speed limit. An interstate highway (301) basically goes through that town. It goes right through Waldo a town with no stop lights.
Now that said, the flea mkt area is used as a source of revenue. I have seen them out there during the week before 5am writing tickets. The flea mkt only operates on the weekend and that is when it needs to be enforced.

[disgustedofCalifornia]

Originally Posted by dannl

As a Business owner in Waldo I thought maybe after the Chief of Waldo, (who I heard put Waldo on the map with AAA as the worst speed trap in the Country) retired the City of Waldo might be able build a new reputation and get out of the lime lite for having the worst speed trap so more Tourist would stop and spend there money here rather then avoiding this area.
Again as a Business owner in Waldo Florida every day I have people telling me either on the phone or in person wheather I am in my place of Business or out of town that they would rather not stop in Waldo because of the speed traps in the town. Which the people are talking about is the way the speed limit signs go from 65 mph to 55 mph then down 45 mph then back up to 55 mph then back down to 45 mph all within a half mile to 1 mile and in one enterance into the city it goes down to 35 mph. Yes if the people are speeding then they deserve a ticket.
I believe if the City or State would post the speed limit at 45 mph from the North end of town all the way through Waldo on Hwy 301 and post the speed limit on County Rd. 24 at 35 mph all the way through the city not as many people would be speeding through the city as then it would not be set up as a trap. I read an article in a news paper that said the new chief in Waldo that has been appointed and the city manager of Waldo are planning on continuing the ticket writing. I was told by one of the officers that all the officers are excepted to write atleast ten tickets a day.
Does anybody that lives in Florida know were one could start to have the speed limit lowered to the lowest speed Waldo has at all enteries and exits to Waldo and have that same speed all the way through the city so that the majority of the ticket writing could come to a stop and tourist might start stopping in Waldo again. Also Waldo possibily might start expanding rather then shrinking. I talk to residents here and they say there is no hope for Waldo as long as the city keeps going the way it is going.
Between the ? speed traps and the city not allowing businesses to build here (CVS and a Bank) were not allowed to build here in Waldo. I feel the city should welcome all the new businesses they could get rather then turning them down.

Yeah, try to get out of the loser Town. I know it must Not be easy to get Out of that Town, but maybe you can try and get somewhere new, where your business can Prosper. I wish You The Best.

[disgustedofCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Miserable Midwest

The best way to fix this problem would be for the state to re-route 301 so that it bypasses Waldo completely.

LOL. And, I wonder who those Cops are going to ticket then?? They will have NO REVENUE. maybe not even a job. LOL.

[StMarysRichard]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Didnt know there was much else in Waldo apart from the flea market but any one seeing this sign then getting pulled over for speeding deserves a ticket for being dumb.

Big deal, there is a plethora of towns that don't even have a flea market. I don't understand why people have such a big issue with Waldo. All because of those speed trap signs? well anywhere can be a spepd trap. Waldo is not unique.

[dannl]

Waldo Police Chief put on paid leave ?

[dannl]

Anybody now the truth as to why the Chief is getting a Paid Vacation ?