Anna Maria, Florida Speed Traps

The local sheriff likes to sit on the west side of a little humpback bridge on North Bay Drive that has a speed limit of 15 MPH.

The Manatee Couty Sheriff cars and trucks sit off the road at the city limits in the entrance to a church just to the right of the “Welcome to Anna Maria”” sign. If you travel a few blocks further into the town you’ll find a vacant lot with a clup of tall bushes. You will usually find a sheriff car hidden behind these bushes. These are the main spots.”

Welcome to the sunny beaches of the west coast of Florida. So much for the tourist friendly atmosphere. The speed limit drops from 35mph to 25 mph. This is a straight roadway with very few speed signs. I was told in a local resturant that customers have come in complaining of being stopped for as little as 3 miles over the speed limit. Take my money once but not twice.

A taylor-made speed trap to nab unfamiliar visitors at this beach resort area. Because the roads split and merge, it is difficult to keep your bearings, and just when your frustration level peaks, you cross a narrow, very small bridge (about 50 ft long) where the speed limit drops to 15 mph. The speed limit reduction is very easy to miss, and the police is on the other side waiting for you. The bridge is just high enough that you cannot see the police car. For a much nicer beach with no speed traps, go to Siesta Key.