First off, before I go any further, let me say: I don't condone speeding. All you road-ragers weaving in and out of lanes scare the hell out of me, and put all of our lives in danger.
That being said: There's no fucking way I'm going 65 mph on I-275. Just no way. I don't even think my car will allow it: It gives this horrible hum and shakes if I go below 70.
But to us "responsible" speeders (that is, those of us who speed in the left lane, until someone going faster comes up on your rear, in which you change lanes and let off the accelerator as necessary), we have one problem: state troopers. Especially that one that is always on the Pinellas side of the Howard Franklin Bridge.
And what do state troopers love more than those tough-looking hats they wear? Speed traps!
They sure are crafty, those bears. But the Internets is even craftier.
I introduce you to Speedtrap.org, the most complete listing of speed traps in the country, compiled by the National Motorists Association. From the homepage, you choose the state and the site lists each city and/or county with entries, which are written by readers. There's over 200 Florida locations listed. Sure enough, someone posted something about the Howard Franklin Bridge trooper:
Jurisdiction (city, county, etc.): Tampa-St. Petersburg , Florida
Speed Trap Location: Interstate 275
Nearest Reference Point: Mile Marker 31-39
GPS Coordinates: n/a
Time of Day: AM Rush Hour
Level of Enforcement: High
Type of Enforcement: Radar, Laser, Vascar, Airplane
Date: 7/2006
Then, the poster follows the info with a brief description, in this case a Bay News 9 feature on the crackdown.
I've known about this site for some time, but only recently has it been updated with all sorts of new speedtraps. So read up and, please folks, don't barrel into me at 90 mph.
(Photo Credit: cesarastudillo)
This article appears in Jun 4-10, 2008.