Washington, District of Columbia Speed Traps

Patrol car with camera sits just at the curved downslope on the approach to Stanton Road. since it’s downhill, motorists have a tendency to accelerate after coming up the slight incline just past the Southern Av. bridge overpass. At night there are no lights on Suitland Parkway, so the patrol car is hard to see.

I’ve seen several other speed traps on route 295 listed, but all for higher speed limits. At this location, the speed limit is only 35, on a divided highway; I was going 55, about the same speed as everyone else, the low speed limit was not well-marked (it’s 45 mph over most of that highway). This may be only temporary, in an area with some construction. It was Aug. 31, 2010 – at $150 a ticket, DC must be making a lot of money on this one.

No warning, nor can you see the officer in advance, whom is aiming radar gun at vehicles coming out of the mass ave tunnel that steeply drops down under Thomas Circle and then rises up on the other side. This steep drop and rise on mass ave will tend to make any vehicle go much faster than 25mph if not paying attention to speed so its an easy catch for the officer.

No speed limit signs for 1/2 mile until you reach the one obliterated by trees.
By then it is too late b/c that is exactly the spot where you get pulled over.
Cop is standing in the street under 25MPH sign that you cannot see until you are under it. You don’t get an opportunity to adjust your speed.

Eisenhower Expressway eastbound, also known as the SE Freeway or 395-295 Connector. 395 N turns off but the connector continues past South Capitol, 6th Street and MLK Boulevard/Anacostia Freeway exit. A 40-mph speed limit sign is on one side of the road at that exit just before it starts downhill toward Pennsylvania Ave. exit ramp and RFK Stadium exit. Halfway down the hill on the right side a vehicle sits with camera on bumper or camera ahead of it on tripod. Most people do not notice the speed limit sign and continue at 50-55 mph which results in photo ticket. Definitely a trap, car not visible until almost too late to slow.