Speed traps in GA (Atlanta, Columbus: taxes, live, law)

[sstraley]

Travelers through GA need to be aware of some small towns with very agressive city police. HWY 82 from Columbus to Brunswick GA is one state highway where travelers should watch their speed. Poulan GA in Worth County, is known to have police working either end, day and night, of the 1 mile stretch through the tiny town. There are 926 residents in the town with 4 police. Two police are assigned to traffic. There are no traffic lights, no intersections, no street lights and no businesses open after 10 PM. HWY 82 is 4 laned, divided, with little traffic at night. The local police consider it their "duty" to enforce the LAW and believe me they do. The speeding fine is $167. The speed limit is 45 MPH. Police are often waiting just inside the 45 MPH limits where they may "clock" the unsuspecting traveler before he enters the 45 MPH zone. You may contest and appear in court. Most choose not and I expect the town is happy to collect money which could well be the main source of revenue. Alapha GA is another town on HWY 82 to be aware of. Ludiowici GA on HWY in Long County has for years been known as a speed trap. Georgia needs to look carefully at the negitive impact speed traps have on the immage we want for our state. We want to be a state known for southern hospitality not speed trap hostility.

[Prichard]

I suppose that if I lived in Warner Robbins, I'd get a kick out of my local boys handing out tickets to people rushing back and forth from Miami to Atlanta, not giving a darn about my little town. Keeps the taxes down, and the government services going. Alternative would be to let speeders pay off their debt by working two hours on a road-side chain gang, cleaning up the trash.

Everyone knows they shouldn't be speeding. Almost everyone speeds, regardless of the posted speed limit. I myself try to average 80mph on I-75 when I can. Cops hunt for speeders for sport and money. Speeders speed for sport and to save time. Time is money. So, we are all playing the same game. Let's just be honest and admit it.

[rcsteiner]

Cobb county seems to be one big speed trap. :-)

[countryboy]

You know there is a easy solution to this problem. if you dont want to get a ticket, DONT SPEED! wow, what a concept!!!!!!

[Prichard]

You know there is a easy solution to this problem. if you dont want to get a ticket, DONT SPEED! wow, what a concept!!!!!!

But, my car's speedometer says it will do 140mph, and when I press the gas, the car tries to do the speed limit of 140mph, but some jerk allways gets in my way!!!

If everybody just does the speed limit of their car, and stay in the appropriate lane, all would be just fine.

[countryboy]

yeah, I know what you mean! I own a 2006 Dodge Charger R/T and i cant help myself!

[kc_tinman]

Maysville, GA. My town. Not as bad as it used to be but still not good.

[sstraley]

Some readers may have missed the point. I find no fault with law enforcement doing their sworn duty to uphold the speed limits in their jurisdiction in order to serve and protect citizen's safety. I do, however, find severe injustice when law enforcement officers become so aggressive their tactics become entrapment. My recent encounter with Poulan Police Dept prompted my recent post. My experience with the small town police dept, the traffic officer, the chief, the clerk and Poulan City Court has let me to State Court seeking justice. It has become an issue of what is RIGHT. Believe me if it was just about a $167 fine, I would have chosen the easy way out and paid the fine. I had problems even finding out what the fine was and was not told the truth. Something smelled "fishy" from the night I was stopped for speeding. I had not entered the 45 MPH zone when I was clocked by radar at 61 MPH, perhaps as much as a mile ahead of the officer's radar equipment. The police car was parked in the turn lane just inside the speed zone, facing me. Ga law says 300' must be allowed to reduce speed. I declined checking the radar equipment---probably a mistake. Now I am not sure a record is available. Public records I did ask for have never been available. My court date is March 12, Worth County State Court. Bottom line is---citizens do have a right to justice. A person may not change anything by taking a stand for what is right and fair, but, if no one does, for sure, nothing will ever change. If any reader has a similar experience in Poulan GA, please e-mail me. sstraley@wayxcable.com

[CabinFever]

We have a speed trap here on Georgia 138.It goes from 55mph to 45 to 35 all within less than a mile.This small town of Walnut loves to sit and play catch.

[ReturningWest]

Arcarde, GA on the new 129 bi-pass...goes from 55, 50, 45 to 35 in a blink of an eye...and they are waiting for you. I'm always seeing someone getting pulled over.

Another is Statham, GA...I got nailed last week...I never speed. I WAS doing the speed limit but then I was going down a hill and I had taken my foot off the gas and was just realizing how fast I was going and appling breaks when I got pulled over...grrrrrr.