San Francisco, California Speed Traps

Doesn’t matter which way you’re heading,north or south through the Macarthur tunnel there’s always a cop waiting at each end all day. The highway is det up like freeway because it is, and the speed limit is 45mph. There is double stacked divider in the tunnel all the way to 101 which takes you on to the bridge. There is a large down grade that increases your speed when exiting the tunnel and at both ends no less.

Typically a motorcycle officer parks on one of the side streets anywhere between 19th Avenue and Great Highway. I have seen an additional motorcycle officer on a very regular interval at 45th Avenue waiting for people to run the stop sign.

This is the road that goes through Golden Gate Park when going from Sunset (19th Ave) to Richmond district (Park Presidio). Around one of those curvy bends, I see a cruiser sitting up on the trail in the trees/bushes. He has a radar gun, but I don’t have radar detector to know what kind.

The bad news is that this is a regular coffee-break spot for the CHP. Primarily cars (black and whites, the East Bay Camaros did not make it to 280 yet) and many times two of them. Traffic usually speeds up and cross merges to make or avoid the 380 exit from I-280N (towards the SF airport). Exit is 2 lanes and right lane usually drops to safe below 65mph limit. However, many sporty cars accelerate merging into the 380 lanes. Bad mistake! Immediately to the left there is large flat and paved end-of-highway area partly hidden behind cement barriers and with high-speed exist for the cops on both sides of 380. Usually the cruiser facing East (towards airport) has front Ka-band turned on (CHP runs two Ka units in most cars – front and rear facing), only rarely the other guy because exit curbs are tighter. Beware also of when these guys come to their break. I’ve seen them turn their radar off and speed right behind you before the 380 exit. Know what’s in your rear view mirror and slow to safe 65 on 380 merge ramp. I drive 450HP Firehawk with Escort 8500 unit and they try all tricks with me.

SFPD motorcycle cops out on Geary patrol this area frequently. Be careful heading east towards downtown, after leaving the tunnel at Masonic heading towards Japantown. They are often seen at the Jack in the Box at the corner of 11th & Geary too. Speed limit 25 until past Stanyan.