Pelham, Alabama Speed Traps

Almost daily, hidden patrol cars sit behind K-Rails just north of exit 242 in Pelham usually trying to catch people going to and coming home from work in nearby Birmingham.

The Pelham city police department sits on the side of the interstate with their flashers operating. They have no emergency or other vehicle pulled over. They are waiting for someone to pass by that does not know about the Alabama “Move Over Law” that requires drivers to move over into the farther lane away from the police, emergency, or service vehicles or slow to at least 15 mph below the posted speed limit. The state mandated fine for a first offense is only $25 but they then add on court costs.

Pelham just bought 16 new police cars and have been on a ticket writing kick to help pay for them. They sit in the old Moore Handley parking lot, Inline electric lot, Shelby Mart, Jenkins Brick, Pacific Pride, and Wal-Mart. Anytime of day or night is a risk for 5mph over. And word from their own officers is that they were forced to have more "contact" which means stopping people and writing tickets to generate revenue.

Pelham has new patrol cars (Dodge Chargers) both marked and unmarked that set behind the concrete barrier in the median from the highway 52 exit to the highway 119 exit. They pull where the barrier is blocking your view of them till you pass them and then it is too late. They set on all shifts and average 10 or more tickets from these locations each shift. Speed limit is 70 mph here and they will write tickets for going 71 in a 70

On the main road through the park you will see park rangers doing radar. The speed limit on this road is between 25-35mph.