Cedar Rapids, Iowa Speed Traps

Went through Cedar Rapids recently on I-380. I had heard I could expect cameras monitoring speeds there, so I was careful to set my cruise control at the speed limit. Today I got a citation by mail for doing 67 in a 55 zone at the intersection of I-380 and J Ave. The Cedar Rapids PD sent a photo of my truck showing my tag number, but there’s no indication of my speed, other than "your vehicle was captured at 67 MPH in a 55 MPH zone". I guess I’ll send them $75, because I’m sure there’s no need to contest this citation. I’d like to know if any local vehicles receive speeding tickets at this location, or if only "out of towners" like me are ticketed. If any federal funds are used to maintain this highway, the Federal Government should step in and investigate this situation. I’ll have to find a detour around this location on my next trip through Cedar Rapids.

Photo Speed camera. Our group of people were there for a Perfect Game youth baseball tournament. Being the organization owner, this will be the last time we will attend any baseball event in Iowa. There are enough communities in the midwest, that host baseball events, without trying to fleece the public when they visit. The excuse that it is public safety is a sham. Our community tried stop light cameras. They saw an increase accidents and road rage issues, as people did whatever was necessary to avoid going through the stop light cameras. Even businesses in the area saw significant declines in revenue, as people avoided the area completely. Help your community learn, stop patronizing the local businesses, like they did in Schaumberg, IL, and they will remove this new tax.

We were caravanning to Yellow Stone for a family vacation and stopped in Cedar Rapid to pick up a member who had attended a corporate meeting there. We needed to travel from I-80 via I-380 up to Cedar Rapids and back to make our scheduled destination in Omaha. We are not speeders and our records are clean of such. We drive with reason and prudence. Our Garmin indicated a 60mph limit but the last car in line invariably has to do some catching up from time to time. We were clocked at 69mph and sent a civil ticket for $75 dollars. This has nothing to do with speeding and everything to do with greed. The situation meets the definition of speed trap i.e. unreasonably low speed limit and indiscriminate enforcement. This is the last $75 Cedar Rapids will see of my money.

They now patrol this stretch from “aircraft” and will radio down to units who will start at a staging area then race down the highway to pull you over. Officer at first claimed he didn’t know my speed (because he was just alerted from air) then said it was 80. What a joke. Cedar Rapids is one giant speed trap. Drive around this “city” or prepare to cruise control at 45.

Trap got me heading north on council just south of Collins Rd.