Weehawken, New Jersey Speed Traps
Southbound Blvd East (heading toward Hoboken)
At the bottom of the hill, a team of police officers were pulling over as many cars as they could tonight. At any given moment, three (!) cars were pulled over. As soon as a car pulled away, they’d pull over another. This had the classic markings of a speed trap: out-of-town motorists, going downhill, with the normal flow of traffic (who knew it was a 25 MPH zone?). Nearly all the cars pulled over were coming off 495 and heading toward Hoboken. Unfortunately, I was one of them. As I drove toward the scene, I assumed it was some kind of checkpoint (it didn’t even occur to me that I was "speeding"). Shame on Weehawken’s administration, which is obviously using this for "revenue enhancement." The officer wouldn’t "knock down" the speed even one mile; he made sure I got the maximum $200 fine.
Alternate ramp to Lincoln Tunnel off 495
This is more like a “Stop sign” trap than a speed trap. If you leave the main section of 495 to come up near the Toys R Us and then back down again to avoid traffic. There’s a Stop sign at the top of the hill. If you roll through it, there’s a Port Authority cop just waiting to pull you over. He also looks for seat belts… you can’t avoid him once you get past the Stop sign.
Lincoln Tunnel approach ramp (just befor helix)
This one is really nasty. On the straight stretch of 495 which preceeds the helix the speed drops from 50MPH. During a nornal weekday at 8AM the traffic on this ramp is so bad that you would never exceed the posted speed limit of 35MPH. Unforunatly I had to go into New York City on the day after Thanksgiving which would normally be a crowded Friday morning but traffic was light due to the holiday. As you approach the helix just after the Park Avenue exit there is
an entrance ramp on the right hand side, this is where the Port Authority cop holds a hand held radar gun. When you travel down the helix and approach the tolls there are half a dozen PA cop just waiting to write everyone a ticket.
Now the day after Thanksgiving only comes once a year but I would not be surprised to see this one on a weekend morning or even during the off hours in the middle of the day or even late at night.
E-ZPass toll lanes at entrance to Lincoln Tunnel
Speed Limit is 5 MPH. Other E-ZPass tolls throughout state are posted in small print at 15 MPH. Most drivers develop pattern of slowwing to 20-30 MPH. This toll, is on a downhill slope coming off a steep ramp. Saw no speed limit posted before toll, and can only assume it was posted at the toll booth. In middle of day, (1/14/03) when traffic was light, multiple police cars and officers were in place, stopping most of the cars going through. At 23 MPH, 18mph above the 5 MPH speed limit, the fine is $98, the third level of speeding out of five. Not sure yet what that involves in points and insurance surcharges. Situation creates danger as nervous and annoyed drivers leave speed trap area and enter long and narrow tunnel with 2-way traffic.
Lincoln Tunnel Vicinity
The 2 lane road that starts as JFK Boulevard East and takes you into Hoboken is one of the worst speed traps in NJ. It is the alternative entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel but a lot of traffic continues along into Hoboken. The speed limit is a mere 25MPH and I challenge anyone to either drive it or see another car doing less than 40. Every so often, you’ll see people getting clipped and sometimes two at a time.