Lake Providence, Louisiana Speed Traps

The posted speed both north and south of Lake Providence is 55 mph and is an open farming area. In the small town of Lake Providence there is even a sign posted that it’s a “Speed Trap” sign which was evidently put up by a local citizen as it does not look like a city posted sign.

This is a tiny town that has no reason to exist for any reason other than by a lake and farming. It has US Hwy 65 that runs north and south connecting Pine Bluff, AR to LA Interstate 20. I have driven this span for about 4 years every 6 months and am well aware of the tickets issued for speeding in this area. April 2018 heading north of Lake Providence towards Arkansas about 3 miles south of the border it was early in the morning, no traffic on the road, only an abundance of wild animals especially skunks crossing the road as it is an area of farm land. Drove upon a large road kill animal with probably 7-8 huge black crows one hitting my windshield. I was really rattled. After that I was not paying attention to my speed and was pulled over from local sheriff driving opposite direction. The deputy told me I was speeding and who knows, I probably was. I was given a ticket for 73 in 55. I’m 66 years old with a clean record. The regular fine for this citation is $238.00, but I’ve received a letter from the parish DA office stating all I had to do was fill out their little “Traffic Education/Diversion Form” which consists of 12 state laws, and put my initials by each statement that I had read it, sign the form and return my INCREASED fine from $238.00 to $368.00 in the form of money order or cashiers check to: 6th Judicial District Attorney Traffic Dept. in Lake Providence. And no points…but infraction will be listed instead of speeding to “improper parking”. So no driving school, no nothing else, just give us $368.00. I would have to say I just got financially raped. From now on when I drive south from Arkansas, I will cut across north of the Louisiana border at Lake Village, Arkansas across to Mississippi and down to Gulf Shores that way completely bypassing not only this area, but avoiding the entire state of Louisiana.

I travel through this location every couple of weeks from my home in Arkansas to the coast. I was stopped by a Louisiana trooper on one occasion and was cited for 71 in the posted 55 zone. Admittedly, I was traveling this speed at the time of the stop. The trooper was very cordial and said he very rarely stops vehicles traveling 65 mph. I found myself thanking him for his politeness. On a couple of occasions after this, I set my cruise speed on 65 miles per hour and was never stopped even when I observed a trooper. However, after passing a trooper on one occasion, I was stopped about 5 miles up the road and was cited by an East Carroll deputy for 70 in a 55! The deputy was obstinate and very condescending when I attempted an explanation about my cruise control. This smacks of corruption….

This tiny Louisanna town is about 15 south of Arkansas and the main drag for many headed south to New Orleans and the Gulf Shore. The East Carroll Parish deputies patrol from the Arkansas border heavily. Especially near the lake as it twist coming into LP. Worse is the local police. The city has strategically placed speed limit signs so they are hard to see. Then crested short zones that will slow you from 45, to 35, to 25 quickly. Issue is the local cops sit right at these speed changes and will nail you in a second for anything 2-3 miles over. There is no adjustment area so by the time you see the speed change its on you and you are over. Then bam, they nail you. It’s so bad there is a sign up declaring the town a speed trap. If you are using a detector they run K band. If you are from Arkansas be especially careful. I know at least three other people in my hometown that have been nailed there. I would fight mine but how would you ever win against a corrupt city and their local judge. Louisiana should be ashamed to allow cities to take advantage of travelers so blatantly.

Limit goes from 60 to 45 to 35 to 25 – none having the typical speed limit warning signs posted giving motorists advance notice. I was going through town at 8AM on a Sunday morning and was ticketed for 36 in a 25. Not another car in sight. Never saw the sign and the upstanding Lake Providence officer was sitting near the stop sign facing motorists heading north. Looking online, it’s apparent that this broken down Louisiana town can’t rely on only sales taxes generated by its residents and had to look for another revenue source – speeding tickets. I’d like to know how many tickets are given to out of state motorists annually.