Clay, New York Speed Traps

Heading south on I-481 just past the Route 31 on-ramp, the highway curves to the left as you reach the overpass. State Police have been known to hide behind the bridge abutment in the median, or in the turn-around immediately after the bridge. By the time you see the cruiser, he/she’s already clocked you. They’re known to sit behind the median abutment heading Northbound as well, where it’s also too late by the time the cruiser is visible.

There is a small paved area on the north side of Caughdenoy Road inbetween the Caughdenoy Road/Maple Road split and Stearns Road. I’ve seen NYSP sit here in the wintertime when the snow banks are up and run instant-on radar. The speed limit is 35mph, but on one particular day I was late to pick up my child from daycare and was driving close to 50. My Valentine-One saved the day and warned me of the presence of instant-on and I immediately slowed to the speed limit. I looked everywhere but couldn’t see the trooper until I passed the snow bank he was hiding behind. He stared at me but didn’t pull me over. He did nail the next driver behind me…they must have been late too!

Sheriffs sit in the VFW parking lot with a good view of traffic in both directions. They also sit on the shoulders of the road near route 11. The area speed limit is 35mph, I’ve skated through at 40 and not been pulled over, but I wouldn’t chance it.

They like to sit in a used car dealership shooting the oncoming east bound traffic. Other times they sit in the driveway of an abandoned house and shoot the oncoming westbound traffic. In either case they are on rte 31 near rte 57 in Clay/Liverpool.

last night (June 15th) at 7 30PM, I was driving south on Henry Clay Blvd and saw a parked police car on other side of the road facing northbound traffic waiting for speeders. It was ideal location for the police (state police) to hide because of the bridge going over 481. Drivers will not expect law enforcement waiting for them over this curved bridge. The police car sort of blocked the enterance to a small wildlife park. I am not sure what kind of enforcement. Likely radar. So when you go over the bridge northbound, be careful!