Last fall, our blog reported on a list released by The National Motorists Association (NMA) -- a nonprofit organization "dedicated to ... stopping the use of traffic tickets to generate revenue" -- ranking the U.S. cities with the highest number of so-called speeding traps.
Here, the NMA defined speed traps as areas where the speed limit was arbitrarily low given the amount of traffic and the traffic enforcement level was high.
Interestingly, the informal list determined that Livonia, Michigan -- a suburb of Detroit -- had the highest number of speed traps in the United States. New York City, on the other hand, was only number 25 on the list.
Interestingly, another organization recently released a list ranking the U.S. cities with the highest number of speed traps and New York came out in a much different position.
According to Trapster.com -- a website and smartphone app that enables people to provide real-world updates on all types of traffic "activity" including construction zones, school zones, road hazards, and, of course, speed traps -- New York City is number one in the nation for setting up ambushes to catch would-be speeders.
"With its high number of drivers on the road, police enforce speed very seriously," says Sean Farrell, the production manager for Trapster.com.
The list indicates that NYC has more than its fair share of red light/traffic enforcement cameras and law enforcement personnel eager to issue traffic citations.
Rounding out the top ten were the following:
- 2. Los Angeles, CA
- 3. Houston, TX
- 4. Las Vegas, NV
- 5. Washington, D.C.
- 6. St. Louis, MO
- 7. Orlando, FL
- 8. Chicago, IL
- 9. Colorado Springs, CO
- 10. Austin, TX
Stay tuned for further updates from our New York traffic law blog ...
If you or a loved one has received a speeding ticket, don't just dismiss it.
Instead, consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Sources:
CNBC, "Cities with the most speed traps" Feb. 10, 2012
The New York Times "Livonia, a Detroit suburb, tops list of worst cities for speed traps" Aug. 30, 2011