Louisiana is the latest state to try to outlaw speed traps. State Representative Regina Barrow recently proposed legislation that would define a speed trap as a stretch of road for which no valid speed study exists. In such cases, police would be prohibited from using radar enforcement unless the driver’s speed exceeds the prima facie limit by 15 mph or more. A related bill would require municipalities that generate at least 50 percent of their revenue from speeding citations to post warning signs and flashing lights alerting motorists to upcoming speed traps.
Let’s take a look at some places that may be affected by these measures.
This information comes from the NMA’s National Speed Trap Exchange (http://www.speedtrap.org/), a unique website that gives drivers an opportunity to report on and exchange comments about predatory speed traps they have encountered on their travels.
Five Highest Activity Speed Trap Locations
1. Washington: I-49 at the Washington exit
174 Reports 100% Acknowledgement Rate*
“I, my parents, and everyone I know has gotten a ticket here. The location is coming up on Washington, LA on both sides of the overpass. There can be TWO or more police cars, so you think you have passed it and then wham the next one gets you. They are slick like that. The speed limit in this area has recently been raised to 75, so I see less people getting pulled over, but it is on a “dead” stretch of interstate where you can zone out and go fast, so be aware!!”
2. Gretna: Mobile – All over town
52 Reports 100% Acknowledgement Rate
“While Jefferson Parish (unincorporated) has pulled the plug on its money-minting machines, the incorporated city of Gretna uses mobile cameras to reap rewards. Watch out on Lapalco and Belle Chasse Hwy. Better still, avoid the city entirely.”
3. Dodson: State Highway 167
52 Reports 98% Acknowledgement Rate
“Police sit on both ends of Dodson 24/7. Also be sure to watch your speed when entering other towns on 167. Several of them enjoy nailing motorists who forget to adequately slow down when entering the city limits.”
4. Baskin: Hwy. 15/U.S. Hwy. 425
50 Reports 100% Acknowledgement Rate
“This town has been a well-known trap for a long time. They were ranked the top speed trap in the state when over 80 percent of revenue for the year was from traffic tickets. The state recently made them raise the speed limit, and it didn’t seem to help any. Drive through town anytime and you are guaranteed to see at least one of the four cruisers in this town of 250 people (two of which are new) still at it.”
5. New Orleans: On Harrison Ave. & Marconi going toward Lakeview
49 Reports 100% Acknowledgement Rate
“When you are driving down Wisner where the speed limit is 40 mph and you turn to go through City Park, there is not a single speed limit sign posted the entire route to Marconi. Then, all of the sudden as you come over the bridge at Scout Island, you come upon a camera ready to catch you with the only speed limit sign posted at the camera for 25 mph! Luckily it is also at a red light, so I was already slowing down to stop, but I have stopped taking this way all together. I always thought it was 35. Be careful!”
Ten Louisiana Cities with Most Reported Speed Traps (for the Last Five Years)
Rank | City | Number of Speed Traps | Acknowledgement Rate |
1 | 26 | 96% | |
2 | 17 | 89% | |
3 | 16 | 90% | |
4 | 13 | 85% | |
5 | 10 | 83% | |
6 | 9 | 90% | |
7 | 8 | 87% | |
8 | 8 | 93% | |
9 | 8 | 75% | |
10 | 8 | 83% |
* Acknowledgement rate is the percentage of yes votes to total votes by motorists indicating whether the reported locations, in their opinions, are actually speed traps. Data are available at the links provided.
About The National Speed Trap Exchange
With the development of The National Speed Trap Exchange (http://www.speedtrap.org/) more than 10 years ago, the National Motorists Association pioneered the use of interactive media to alert motorists to potential speed trap activity in their communities. Since then the site has reported on nearly 80,000 speed traps throughout the United States and Canada.
