Despite many drivers believing that speed traps are unfair, it is likely they are here to stay even as lawmakers continue to take the issue on again and again. The latest debate on the subject involves Washington, La., which has become an example of what is wrong with speed traps.
In the small town of about 1,000 people, residents who are going one, two or three miles over above the speed limit are receiving tickets. The town collected more than $1.2 million in fines in the fiscal year that ended in June 2013; the fines provided more than 83 percent of the town’s operating funds.
The Louisiana legislature is once again taking the issue on. Two bills approved by the House Transportation Committee have been approved, one of which specifically targets the city of Washington.
Although in 2009 the Hollis Act attempted to curb speeding traps, many cities and towns simply refuse to send fines and penalties they collect from motorists going less than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, to the state. An audit of Washington, La., in 2010 revealed that it kept $222,000 in fines.
One of the new bills wants to bring all cities in under the Hollis Act, but some associations are still opposing these rules and believe that lawmakers should not interfere with local law enforcement.
Other cities such as Baskin, Krotz Springs and Port Barre are also notorious for their speed traps.
Many of these cities are so small that the number of car accidents reported are minimal, however, across Louisiana speed is one of the most common causes of collisions.
The Baton Rouge auto accident lawyers at Simien & Simien urge all drivers to obey the speed limit, not only because it could save your life, but also because it could prevent you from getting fined.
