Hoquiam, Washington Speed Traps

The police employ some deception along Emerson Avenue (past Hoquiam High, Middle school). There is lit, radar-activated speed indicator with a painted, 30MPH sign above it and a less conspicuous "End School Zone" sign to the right (obscured by sidewalk tree). The Speed indicator will flash if you’re doing over 30, which would suggest that if you see this sign, as long as you’re under 30, you’re within the law. In reality, if you’re doing over 20 (school zone limit), you’re speeding and you’ll get double the fine for it.

If a person has 3 signs: 2 of them are painted, it happens to be somewhat dark out (mid-autumn morning), the other can barely be seen, and one is lit, which one do you think they are going to notice? By any reasonable definition, this is entrapment. The police are baiting people into exceeding the speed limit. It should be blinking at 20 if it’s to be kept on in the mornings.

When driving from Aberdeen into Hoquiam, 101 is called Sumner Ave. Just before Sumner curves to go along the Hoquiam River, it changes into Riverside Ave. This is a short stretch of road before crossing the bridge into downtown Hoquiam area. At the end of Riverside, is a small museum (Polson Museum, nice place, worth a stop). Police OFTEN sit there with radar at any time of the day but, mostly, at night.

Simpson Avenue Bridge…Speed limit is 30 mph…people traveling 40+ are likely to get tickets…Narrow two lane bridge with lots of log truck traffic…easy to pick up speed on the way down…people like to driver faster when it rains for some reason…cops sit at bottom of bridge.

City of Hoquiam is a nice small town that aggressively enforces unsafe driving. Nearly all roads/highways through Hoquiam are through residential areas with cross streets. Obey the speed limits and wear your seatbelt. There is absolutely no tolerance for Driving Under the Influence or unrestrained children. Drive Safely!