NM State Policeman sets up his trap in the middle of this small town. Using a pair of binoculars, he looks for motorists not wearing their seatbelts as far away as 1/4 mile. Officer was observed giving tickets non-stop for over two hours. Options given to the motorists are to mail in the $89 fine or appear in court, and it is his word against the motorists, in which case, the court almost always rules against the motorist.

A local citizen said that this particular officer does this once or twice a month in this and several other small communities in the area. The mayors of these communities have complained to the state police office, who told them that they don’t tell their officers where they can or cannot give tickets. This town also has couple of ticket-happy local police officers who set up speed traps regularly. They usually set up radar at the edge of town and clock cars well prior to what appears to be the beginning of town, but is actually in the “city limits”, where the speed limit drops from 55 to 35 in a very short distance.

Use caution when going through here; check to be sure your seat belt is buckled and your speed is reduced to the posted limit well before reaching the speed limit sign.