Richfield Springs, New York Speed Traps

Cop sets by a cluster of 2 or 3 homes on the right going east. between Angel Road and Mower road.

Two miles south of Richfield Springs on NY-28 the speed limit is lowered. In the winter months, Mid September to Mid May it is 45 mph. But in the summer mid May through mid September it is further reduced to 35 mph. Part of this area there are summer camps very close to the road and the low speed limit is justified. However some of the stretch is open farm land. I have lived here for over 50 years and the open road area used to be 55 mph. It is hard for me to remember the lower speed limit. It is a rural state highway with a 35 mph speed limit. Especially in the summer the road is heavily patrolled. Just today, two speeders have been pulled over in my driveway.

Approaching the village from the east on Route 20. You leave Herkimer County and enter Otsego. There is sign to reduce speed to 40 mph which, depending on the time of year, is partially hidden by vegetation. But what is worse for people from out of the area is a pond on the left with a fountain (lit at night) which is a distraction from the speed sign. In a very short while the speed limit becomes 30 mph for the village just as you begin going downhill. There are many opportunities to trap you. There is a NYS Trooper station right in the middle of all of this.

A state police barricks is located in the Village of Richfiled Springs. Since the recent proposed closure of the barricks, regular use of roadblocks, under cover patrol vehicles, and radar has been used. Tickets have been issued for as little as 1 MPH over the limit. Areas patroled include all villages and hamlets on U.S. 20 for 10 miles both east and west of Richfield Springs. Cruisers typically locate where the 55 MPH limit changes to lower limits at the edges of the hamlets and villages.