The NMA’s traffic attorney directory contains more listings from the Old Dominion than from any other state. There must be a reason. Let’s see what’s keeping all those attorneys busy.
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.
We encourage you to send a link to this blog to those you know who live or travel in Virginia. Remember, an informed driver is a safer driver.
Five Highest Activity Speed Trap Locations
1. Colonial Beach: Just entering Colonial Beach on Route 205
429 Reports 100% Acknowledgement Rate*
“When entering the town of Colonial Beach from Route 205 (across the street from Food Lion) the speed limit goes from 55 mph to 35 mph. The town cops will sit there and nail you right after the change. The speed limit changes so fast that you have to use your brakes pretty hard to get your speed down to the 35 mph limit and if you’re not from around the area you will almost always get pulled over.”
2. Emporia: US Highway 58
83 Reports 99% Acknowledgement Rate
“US Highway 58 East of I-95 is highly enforced. As a resident here I can say I have seen up to seven vehicles pulled on a 4 mile stretch from I-95 to just west of the airport.”
3. Emporia: US 58 10 miles East or West of Emporia VA
80 Reports 99% Acknowledgement Rate
“The town must fund their government with this. I go this route to Virginia Beach to visit family and EVERY time, no matter time of day or night, there are usually multiple cars pulled. I feel it is in the running for top 5 speed traps in the country.”
4. Abingdon: Interstate 81
59 Reports 100% Acknowledgement Rate
“Southbound side of I-81 mile marker 21 the state is always setting just on the crest of the hill on the shoulder just as your cruise control kicks in and picks up a couple of mph’s. Out-of-state cars with no VA license plates on the front are vulnerable.”
5. Danville: Memorial Drive before Robertson Bridge
54 Reports 100% Acknowledgement Rate
“Driving west on Memorial toward the bridge there is a sudden change from the 40 mph limit to 25 mph, with a police car sitting there just past the sign.”
Ten Virginia Cities with Most Reported Speed Traps (Last Five Years)
Rank | City | Number of Speed Traps | Acknowledgement Rate |
1 | 29 | 83% | |
2 | 26 | 85% | |
3 | 24 | 90% | |
4 | 19 | 83% | |
5 | 17 | 78% | |
6 | 17 | 95% | |
7 | 16 | 95% | |
8 | 15 | 92% | |
9 | 15 | 85% | |
10 | 12 | 66% |
* 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.
