All across America, one of the most common interactions a driver will have with police is a traffic stop for exceeding the posted speed limit or another civil traffic infraction. Often, the police car seemingly comes out of nowhere, perhaps hidden behind a tree-lined curve in the road. This stealthy method of speed enforcement is often called a “speed trap.”
While this type of traffic enforcement can be frustrating for motorists, it is generally legal in all states. Law enforcement agencies and police departments use speed traps for several reasons. The most common goals are to improve highway safety, reduce auto accidents, and generate revenue from speeding tickets.
The legality of speed traps depends on state and local laws and how different jurisdictions define the term. Each state sets its own laws for how they speed traps and specifics on how they can be used.
An unjustified speed limit trap refers to a section of highway with a lower speed limit not justified by a traffic survey conducted within the past five years. Traffic surveys analyze transportation conditions and patterns to inform laws, planning, and management.
Since speeding laws differ by state or municipality, it is important to check your local laws for specific guidance. However, police are generally not required to announce their presence when enforcing speed limits.
Motorists often use the term speed trap to describe a range of stealthy police tactics used to enforce speed limits and other traffic violations. A few of these common practices and terms include: 1) Traffic cameras, speed cameras, and automated traffic enforcement, 2) Officers on private property, 3) Police entrapment.
While the systems above are sometimes discussed alongside speed traps, they actually have very different legal implications.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of driving offense, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Seattle Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Traffic Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their traffic charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a traffic offense, misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Traffic Lawyer as soon as possible. Infraction and criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone cited or charged with an infraction or a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Traffic Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900
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