South Carolina police/Speed traps (Myrtle Beach, Newberry: hotel, tax, live)

[myrc60]

Originally Posted by bernsee

Based on how the SC police operate, just about everyone in this country should be getting speeding tickets. On highways where the speed limit is 55 mph, I drive 70 and get passed by EVERYONE. Maybe the police in these communities should get on I-20, I-26 and I-77 and start ticketing these people. Virtually everyone is going more than 15mph over the speed limit. I asked the cop that gave me the ticket what is acceptable for going over the posted speed limit and he said nothing. So why aren't they out on the highways ticketing everyone?? I can't be looking at my speedometer every 2 seconds because the speed limit changes so quickly in the small SC towns. Would the cop prefer that I look at my speedometer instead of the road? 30 is way to slow for these small towns where there is virtually no traffic. The cops know this and they know the perfect places to hide to prey on the tourists.

Thankfully, everyone in this country, doesn't include me! I can't afford a ticket and so I obey the laws. Oh, occasionally I will be a few over but have never been stopped for speeding nor have I had an accident in over 30 years. You should do the limit in those small towns or they will get you.

[Buckeye in SC]

Bottom line, 75% of 'speed limits' in this country are kept lower than needed so that cities/towns/townships/states can make money. For instance, I drive I-77 up to Ohio a few times a year to go back and visit family, and the last 55 miles or so in NC, the speed limit is 70, you cross the VA line, and it suddenly drops to 65, and an hour later, cross into West VA., & it's back to 70, get to Ohio, back to 65, how much sense does that make?? I realize that state's like VA & OH (which incidentally I think are far worse at speed traps/tickets than SC) have their maximum limit set at 65 which is the reason for the change, but if it was all about 'safety,' then engineers would say, no where should the limit be above 65 or whatever. If 70 is safe in WV, NC, SC, IN and some other states - a few of which are 75 like Montana or Texas, why is it not safe in Ohio or VA?

Also, there are a lot of rural towns in SC that I've come across driving US 378/Myrtle Beach HWY, US 21/Lowcountry HWY, & US 321/Savannah HWY that come to mind where you'll be cruising along at 55-60, and then you'll come to a basically deserted town w/no traffic lights, yet the speed limit drops to 30 or 35 for 1/2 mile or so through the so-called town, it's just unnecessary, except for the fact as a previous poster mentioned, that the towns support themselves by just waiting for those unsuspecting travelers.

[ranger17]

I've often wondered myself why the interstate system can vary thru connected states. Well, i'd say every state now has pockets with traps; they almost need to to make sure there is some $$ in the coffers. Personally i'd rather make sure there were officers on duty even if that meant paying closer attn to my surroundings. Not like SC has the only traps, Ive read about others that are downright brutal. Guess all I try to do is flow with traffic. If the whole pack is moving faster, then so am I. If i'm on the road by myself; I'm not going 1 over.
I'm not a driving saint, and have "played" many times on the roads. BUT ( knock on wood here ) I do try to follow the posted limits as much as possible which has led to zero tix. period.
I'd also suggest that when you see a cop sitting on the side, don't slam on the brakes--like that won't make you noticed in the crowd.....

[Woodlands]

Seems that the local police are more strict than the State Troopers.. In Lee County right before hwy 15 on I-20 going east.. there used to be a bee hive of police activity.. They hung out there so much that they wore the grass out in the wooded median.. From what I gathered.. they were all Lee County Sheriff's not Troopers.. I wonder how the revenue is shared when Trooper pulls you over in lets say a Lee County??? Does the County get the same % of the revenue if you are pulled by a State Trooper as opposed to a County Sheriff? Its best to simply pay attention.. because they certainly will

[CarolinaWoman]

Originally Posted by Buckeye in SC

Also, there are a lot of rural towns in SC that I've come across driving US 378/Myrtle Beach HWY, US 21/Lowcountry HWY, & US 321/Savannah HWY that come to mind where you'll be cruising along at 55-60, and then you'll come to a basically deserted town w/no traffic lights, yet the speed limit drops to 30 or 35 for 1/2 mile or so through the so-called town, it's just unnecessary, except for the fact as a previous poster mentioned, that the towns support themselves by just waiting for those unsuspecting travelers.

Going to Myrtle Beach, McBee SC has always been a speed trap. They wouldn't charge you with speeding, if you paid cash right there on the spot. Their city budget was written annually around the revenue from traffic violations.

In 2006 law enforcement tactics in McBee brought about a criminal investigation by the SC State Attorney's office. A state grand jury indicted McBee's police chief and town judge on public corruption charges. According to the S.C. Attorney General's Office, the town would drop criminal cases if accused wrongdoers would pay cash or deed over their cars. Reminds one of Doc Hollywood when Michael J. Fox was stranded in Grady, the Squash Capital! The police chief resigned and the judge was suspended. The mayor said McBee has accounted for all the money or valuables involved ($100k.)

McBee, is about 95 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach and it is still a speed trap ... the signs posted 35 MPH and they mean 35 or less ... no leeway ... but at least they don't make you sign your vehicle over to them but the $$$ will hurt your wallet.

[ckeegan]

Originally Posted by Buckeye in SC

Bottom line, 75% of 'speed limits' in this country are kept lower than needed so that cities/towns/townships/states can make money.

Actually, the statistics for traffic accidents and fatalities are pretty staggering when comparing 60mph to 70mph.

[LSU Tiger Z71]

Its stupid to respect the ridiculous speed limit laws in this country.

I go as fast as I want and will fight any ticket I get. Tickets aren't going to stop me from speeding, I consider it my tax for driving faster than everyone else.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by ckeegan

Actually, the statistics for traffic accidents and fatalities are pretty staggering when comparing 60mph to 70mph.

Of course there is a higher risk of fatality going at a higher speed, that's physics. I guess the bigger question is, by having a speed limit at 70 rather than 60, can it be proven that the higher limit really causes more accidents? Most accidents on expressways are not due to speed per se, but moreso due to drivers falling asleep behind the wheel or driving under the influence.

My point is though, if speed limits were strictly implemented for safety, then why aren't they nationally/universally set at a given speed whether it be 60 or 70? Compared to some states saying 65 is the max and others saying 75?

[Luvsdabeach]

The Speed Trap Exchange | Find speed traps all over the US | SpeedTrap.org

[MemphisMeantime]

I know Bluffton is a speed trap with 30 mph limits on two-lane rural-like roads with few driveways. The cops lie in wait where the speed drops from 40 to 30.

I've also seen roadblocks in Hilton Head, though it's been a few years. Since they've now installed traffic signals every half-mile on 278 and congestion is so bad, people can't speed.

It's just not good faith to purposefully set the speed limit below nationally recognized standards striclty to write more tickets and increase revenue.