Ann Arbor, Michigan Speed Traps

The speed limit is 25 mph, the street often quite empty, the police in abundance. It is best to stay under 25 mph, but it is a frustrating way to travel.

Heading east on Huron River Dr. from Newport Rd. and crossing into the city limits (sign clearly marked that your are now in Ann Arbor), within 1/4 to 1/2 mi. on left are three gravel covered, small parking areas surrounded by high brush (placed for cops). Cops will hit you with Ka-band radar. If your heading in the opposite direction (west), be careful — Ann Arbor cops use front and rear antennas and can catch you both ways. Ann Arbor cops are on a ticket-writing binge and spend most of their time issuing citations. If ticketed, take it to informal hearing and help stop the city’s shakedown racket. Cop cars are so well hidden by tall vegetation that it’s difficult to see how they establish a traffic history.

Police cars sit in the parking lot of the First Presbyterian Church to watch for people speeding as they approach campus. They also pull people over for turning right at red lights (no turn on red)

Ann Arbor police continue heavy radar/laser enforcement at probably their favorite speed trap location in all of Ann Arbor, M-14, E. bound (a state road), at or near Barton Dr., where the speed limit suddenly drops from 70 MPH to 55. Watch out at: (1) At the start of the concrete barrier on M-14 just before Barton Dr., (1) about a 100 Fort from start of barrier (which hides their trap), and /or (3) cop car parked on the Barton Dr. ramp just before entering M-14. The second location is very dangerous for motorists attempting to enter M-14 as the cop car blocks the view of oncoming traffic on M-14. Ann Arbor cops here are more of a hazard at this speed trap area than �offenders.� Wildly driving across 2 -3 lanes of traffic to catch that �speeder.� Ka band radar, rear window preferred.

If you�re ticketed, check your citation carefully. As was reported, Ann Arbor cops must use a State of Michigan citation book, not the city ordinance version on a state road for the ticket to be valid. Ann Arbor lost a court case a few years ago over this issue. Ann Arbor cops love handing out city ordinance tickets because Ann Arbor then keeps most of the money from the fine. With the state citation book, a ticket written on it sees most of the dollars going to the state.

Between the merge of I-94 and US-23 and Zeeb Rd, on I-94, state troopers can be seen almost daily right before the Zeeb Rd. exit ramp. Traffic tends to flow 70-75 mph due to the highways merging, but the officer usually won’t stop anyone doing less than 76mph. Don’t take my word on that, however. He was my first and only ticket, and I’m fairly sure he was mistaken about my speed, then lowered the speed on the ticket to make him look good and deter me from fighting the ticket.