Originally Posted by FTroopChief

America's Worst Speed Traps

8. Dallas, Texas
Speed traps: 156

Dallas is one of three Texas cities that made the top 10 for speed traps.

"Here's what happens in Texas: We have these safety standards that you have to apply to make sure the speed limit is safe," Dornsife said. "They follow none of them! They have what's called "home rule," which means they don't have to follow federal law."


Dornsife said it's not uncommon here for tickets to be issued for drivers going just a few miles over the speed limit (I've never heard of anyone having that happen), and they'll do things like set a "school zone" two miles away from the school. (never seen one, they are usually a set few blocks away from the schools)

Also, good luck keeping up with fluctuations in the speed limit on a given road. Dornsife recalls being at a DOT speed-limit conference and a presenter from Dallas said there are sections of the freeway where the speed limit can change three to four times within a few miles. (never seen that either)

And speed limits can be changed arbitrarily: "Somebody stands up in a city council meeting … say, a police officer with no training in traffic engineering … and proposes a speed-limit change and they vote on it," Dornsife said. "Traffic engineers are supposed to decide what speed is safe—and law enforcement is supposed to enforce it," he said. "Half of these cities don't have traffic engineers." (never heard of that either)





John P FTroopChief

NOTE: Somewhat unknown Texas Law is you may attend an accredited Driver's Training Course and have 1 speeding ticket a year dismissed. No fine, No court, No points. (you can also do deferred adjudication)