Cop in middle of road for speed trap?
- Thread starter DriveHard
- Start date
MolaKule
Staff member
LEO's sitting in the left-turn lane seems odd if that is the case, but let's not turn this into an anti-LEO thread.
A few weeks ago I went to an event in SE Iowa. Once you get just south of Cedar Rapids on I-380, the speed limit is 70 mph but traffic moves generally at 77 to 83 mph until just before Iowa City where the speed limit drops to 65 for continuation on highway 218 until you reach Missouri.
Just south of Iowa City an IHP has been seen stopping motorists for speed violations thinking that after the last Iowa City turnoff they can return to the 70 mph limit.
At the event I met a Deputy sheriff for that county and ask him about this. He said the IHP and sheriff assets have been asked to patrol this section because of two reasons: 1) Farmers have complained of being hit by high speed vehicles who couldn't stop in time for slow-moving farm vehicles, 2) school buses are entering and exiting this highway from county roads and bus drivers complaining about near misses.
So many times it is the public who have requested the patroling of certain road sections.
A few weeks ago I went to an event in SE Iowa. Once you get just south of Cedar Rapids on I-380, the speed limit is 70 mph but traffic moves generally at 77 to 83 mph until just before Iowa City where the speed limit drops to 65 for continuation on highway 218 until you reach Missouri.
Just south of Iowa City an IHP has been seen stopping motorists for speed violations thinking that after the last Iowa City turnoff they can return to the 70 mph limit.
At the event I met a Deputy sheriff for that county and ask him about this. He said the IHP and sheriff assets have been asked to patrol this section because of two reasons: 1) Farmers have complained of being hit by high speed vehicles who couldn't stop in time for slow-moving farm vehicles, 2) school buses are entering and exiting this highway from county roads and bus drivers complaining about near misses.
So many times it is the public who have requested the patroling of certain road sections.
I've gotten a couple speeding ticket, and a couple others that let me go with just a warning and a handshake. Good cops and bad cops. Unfortunate that the bad cops and those that allow bad cop behavior never get punished.
I think a prior LE here explained their experience with this; where the townfolks wanted the police to pull over out-of-towners that were speeding but got mad when they were caught speeding.
I think a prior LE here explained their experience with this; where the townfolks wanted the police to pull over out-of-towners that were speeding but got mad when they were caught speeding.
Exactly.
We have a few residents on my street who will sit on their front porch and give dirty looks to people going 5-10 over. Guess who are the fastest drivers on the street? They are, by far. Rules for thee but not for me as usual. One of them even took out a mailbox about 100 feet from their driveway.
Been on that stretch many times myself...the speeds between CR and IC are crazy high.
I wasn't complaining about the speed in the road...although IMHO it is stupid slow, I was complaining about an officer using a legal bi-directional turn lane to set up his speed enforcement nest. It is nice that he is out in the open, but not safe for anybody for him to be sitting in a legal driving lane...especially with no lights on at all.
I will say that most folks travel 45-50 on this stretch. I set my cruise both ways to 40...and the Colorado will auto downshift or brake to keep me in the low 40's...with MANY folks passing me.
MolaKule
Staff member
I fully understood your comments. I too would consult the local sheriff to determine what gives or at least voice my concerns about a patrol car sitting in the left turn lane in what would appear to be 'in the middle of the road...'
It seems to me the better and safer position for a patrol car would be that entrance shown on the left side of your picture.
BTW, if you are in Mo and get down to Hannibal, Mo, be aware that Hannibal has different speed limits posted about every 1/4 to 1/2 mile and they are photo enforced.
Oh yes, been through Hannibal many times. I didn't think it was as bad or noteworthy for money seeking LEO's as Palmyra though...
That "entrance" is interesting (and at the top of the hill, so less effective)...that property was built to look like a house, but if you look closely it has a HUGE amount of power going into it, and cooling vents in the "garage". Turns out it is owned by the water company, and is a pump house. I had to dig for months to figure out what it was. I was looking as my bride and i were looking at a house with touching property lines, and everything is hidden on what it was.
They need to do like Campbell County KY was doing on the AA Highway recently-a cruiser on the side of the road with a mannequin in it! Twas fun watching all the panic braking!
Pretty soon if we keep up on our current path, our cars loaded with electronics will narc us out without any need for the police to be sitting somewhere. They will require a 5G connection and your identity to even be on the highway.
They do the same thing in Alma, CO
How about just gear down? That way you won't have to ride the brakes? See, this is why I have 180k miles on my original brakes. Because I have common sense! 
MolaKule
Staff member
For those not familiar with this area of Mo, Palmyra is on H-61, 24 and is a neat little town north of Hannibal with one of the best Pizza Huts around, or used to be.
Anyway, the speed limit sign before this town southbound was or is near an underpass and often shaded. One should decrease speed to < = 55 at least a mile north or south of this little enclave.
They are growing and have good fuel prices the last time I went through there.
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How about just gear down? That way you won't have to ride the brakes? See, this is why I have 180k miles on my original brakes. Because I have common sense!
For one little hill in the middle of Iowa? I would rather save the wear and tear on the transmission, shifter, etc. and replace the brakes which are simply made to be replaced. Its like those guys who downshift their manual transmissions to save brake wear...hummm...I would MUCH rather replace my brakes than a clutch.
They can do anything to bring in revenue.
Rather than wondering I would call the local PD or SO and ask for a supervisor and explain the situation.
It would be best to have a plate # or unit # and of course time and date. And preferably a few pics. I always assume an ambitious patrolman may "forget" about doing something like this when questioned by a superior unless there's proof.
I would also call the state or highway patrol and ask them what state law says about such.
Finally, regardless of legality I would write a letter to the city councilors (PD) or county commissioners (SO) explaining your safety concerns. Even if it is legal (questionable without his light bar running), that doesn't make it a good idea.
It would be best to have a plate # or unit # and of course time and date. And preferably a few pics. I always assume an ambitious patrolman may "forget" about doing something like this when questioned by a superior unless there's proof.
I would also call the state or highway patrol and ask them what state law says about such.
Finally, regardless of legality I would write a letter to the city councilors (PD) or county commissioners (SO) explaining your safety concerns. Even if it is legal (questionable without his light bar running), that doesn't make it a good idea.
Maybe this officer is just an idiot.
And this is why I use a radar detector.
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
The bridge usually has a 'breakdown" lane where a vehicle can safely be "off the roadway".
I don't think this method of using the chicken lane for 'parking' is acceptable, though.
