Mulvane, KS, is a small town south of Wichita and Derby, KS. Its main street is in fact Rock Road, a primary thoroughfare running from north to south through Wichita, Derby and finally through Mulvane. The main street, or Second Ave., intersects with K-53, the East/West route leading to Instate 35 and the Kansas casino. On Second Ave. the posted speed limit of 30 miles-per-hour drops suddenly to 20 in front of the City Hall/Police station. During school hours the speed limit is also cut to 20 miles-per-hour in front of schools.
The town of 6000 residents has invested in several police cruisers patrolling its main street at all hours of the night and day. Flashing lights and a stopped cruiser and car are a common sight. City Hall revealed that in 2013 the town collected $111,613.48 in traffic fines. Local residents are aware that the town is a speed trap, and cars slow to a crawl when driving through town. In 2013 I was new to the area. I was not aware that a police cruiser started following me at the edge of town in the vicinity of the railroad tracks. Halfway through town the policeman stopped me and claimed I was driving 50 miles per hour at the edge of town. The policeman literally started to negotiate the fine with me: he asked me if I could afford a $200.00 fine. I tried to appeal the ticket without success. I paid the fine, and for 3 years have been paying a higher auto insurance premium.