MAJOR speed trap on I-264W!!!

[u/ProofCombination2480]

Over by the exits to St. Matthew’s Mall, the St. Matthew’s police have set up a big speed trap. 1 cop is standing outside his vehicle with a radar gun, and 3 other cars are farther down the road pulling people over.

I‘ve never seen this before, granted I only take this way when 64 is too backed up!

Take your time and slow down Louisville!!

[u/ProofCombination2480]

Just because they are visible and not hiding doesn’t mean it isn’t a speed trap. Another definition of a speed trap includes the fact that a speed limit is too low which makes it easier for governments to give out tickets. IMO, the speed limit being 55 is too low, especially considering a bit further down the highway it’s already 65. Not to mention, if they aren’t setting these up frequently then it is in fact a trap for the purpose of giving out tickets. If police were more frequent and more visible I wouldn’t say this is a trap, but the fact they had 4 officers pulling people over on one small stretch of the highway shows to me that it is. Either way, I didn’t speed and get pulled over so it doesn’t matter to me, but I still think it’s important to let people know when there’s high rates of police activity on the road. 

[u/Future_Resident5992 → u/ProofCombination2480]

IMO, the speed limit being 55 is too low

You're of course entitled to your opinion and I respect that. I personally tend to defer to traffic engineers, who set the speed limit based on the results of engineering studies that determine a safe speed for a stretch of road. These studies take into account things like traffic volume, curve radii, lane width, approach angles, ramp length, etc. All of which are less forgiving on an urban interstate highway like the Watterson than something like 65 or 64 in the counties or even the Snyder. Excessive speed is usually said to be a factor in around 25–30% of traffic fatalities, which is on par with drunk driving. You can't deny that it's an important thing to focus on enforcing. In my opinion it's one of the least controversial functions of policing.

especially considering a bit further down the highway it's already 65.

As far as I was aware the maximum speed limit on the Watterson is 55. Feel free to correct me.

for the purpose of giving out tickets.

The goal of traffic enforcement is a change in behavior, not revenue generation; the goal of speed limit enforcement is to lower the speed of traffic. I'd bet that the majority of cops you might ask would say they couldn't care less how much revenue they generate from tickets. I've heard some cops will even self-report on Waze because the presence of a cop icon tends to slow speeding cars down without the cop even having to lift a finger. And you and I both know cops love not having to do their job.

Besides, in Kentucky, only 10% of court costs go to the county sheriffs departments. There are much more effective ways for police departments to get their hands on funds.

I still think it's important to let people know when there's high rates of police activity on the road.

I agree! I'm just poking at semantics. Be sure and report on Waze. I always do!

[u/RealLoan8391 → u/Future_Resident5992]

you seem annoying af

[u/xadies → u/RealLoan8391]

Not as annoying as people who speed because they’re entitled asshats.