Mesquite, New Mexico Speed Traps

This exit (the Mesquite exit) and overpass is used by both state police and sheriff’s deputies in a variety of methods. They like it because terrain and vegetation provide plenty of hiding places for one or several units. Since it lies in the middle of a state ‘safety corridor,’ traffic fines are doubled, which is always a plus (for them). Here are a couple of techniques they use on unsuspecting motorists. 1) One or two state police cruisers will sit in the median just north of the overpass, and clock westbound traffic and the occasional oblivious eastbound driver. Since the median is obscured until traffic is just about on top of the cruisers, they can’t be seen until it’s too late. 2) An officer will either park on the overpass or get out of his car and work radar/laser on foot, clocking cars either on the approach or after they’ve passed underneath the overpass. They can either do this solo or in conjunction with a half-dozen chase vehicles hidden on the on-ramp, which can’t be seen until it’s too late. Both directions of travel are worked in this manner, and I’ve seen it done by both county and state officers. Locals will always slow to the posted speed limit (70mph) for this overpass.