Jasper, Alabama Speed Traps

All Walker county schools ended classes for the summer May 24th 2012. That includes the school zone I am referring to. The lights and signs requiring vehicles decrease speed to 35 mph. from 55 mph. should be turned-off no later than May 29th 2012. Last year the AL. Highway Dept. left the signals on until the second week of July. I saw many out-of-state motorists ticketed and school was out for the summer. This is one of the many underhanded methods employed to collect revenue. I posted a notice on Facebook. I hope at least one person is spared an unlawful citation.

The school zone requires a drop in speed from 55 mph. to 35 mph. instantly. The school for this zone is almost 2 mi. north of the 4 lane hwy. It is manned primarily by State Troopers. They use plain black and silver Tahoe’s as well as several unmarked Chargers and marked Crown Vic’s. One of the SUV’s forced my wife onto the shoulder when he made a u-turn across the grass median ans never looked back. When I attempted to inquire about this on the c.b in my pick-up the trooper asked if I wanted to “talk about it on the side of the road?’ I told him; “sure if you want your supervisor to receive a visit from the local t.v. news reporter”. The smart-ass changed his tune rapidly. As a taxpayer I expect better behavior for my money. If you travel this stretch of road use extreme caution.

This used to be a 2-lane section of Hwy 78 north of Jasper with a speed limit of 55mph. Three years ago they widened it to 4 lanes+turn lane leading up to the Interstate entrance and left the speed limit down at the 45 mph construction speed even though the road is wide, straight and has a good visibilty and could support a 55 mph speed limit. The local police periodically decend on that stretch of road and utilize it’s revenue-enhancing features.

Road construction was started and discontinued. The speed limit is set at 35 and local law enforcement sit and watch for autombiles leaving this zone and ticket them. The 35 limit is totally unrealistic because there is no construction going on.

Usually you can go about 5 miles over the limit, but at or near the end of the month, it’s a good idea to go the limit or even under. The police are trying to meet their quota.