Yesterday morning I got up to drive Anjel to her internship at the Gabriel Foundation bird rescue. She had ridden her bike the day before but there were thunderstorms forecast for the afternoon and it didn’t look like riding would be a great idea. Cheri was generous enough to loan us the minivan for the morning and we were off.
We’ve learned a few things about the Denver area in the short time we’ve been here. First, there seem to be speed traps everywhere. Officers will just park next to an intersection waiting for people to try to squeeze through a yellow light that changes a little quicker than they thought. Second, the posted speed limit on roads seems to change all the time. A road will often go from a posted 40 to 55 to 45 and back to 55 within a few miles and officers are more than happy to wait by these posted speed changes. Anjel and I were travelling to Elizabeth, Colorado for the internship; a relatively rural part of the state, located about 40 miles south-east of Aurora. And that’s where I got caught.
The road we were on is a relatively straight 2 lane road running through a fairly undeveloped area. The posted speed limit for most of the road is 45 to 55 miles per hour, except when you hit a half-mile long School Zone (“when lights are flashing”) that drops the limit down to 20. It’s common to have a 35 down to 25 school zone posting, there’s even a 40 down to 30 nearby… but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a school zone that drops you down 25 miles an hour from the posted speed.
As Anjel found out when she talked to the people at work, the County of Elbert is seriously strapped for cash and one of the only ways they bring in funds is through their traffic citations, which apparently nets them around $100,000 a month. Hence the very obvious speed trap and the reason that I was courteously issued a $299.50 ticket for being clocked at 30 in a 20 zone. I can’t deny that I was going faster than 20, however I also can’t begin to tell you how slow 20 mph feels on an empty road after travelling at almost 50. I know because it’s what I had the cruise control set to when I had to drive through the same stretch on my way back home, 15 minutes later.
Regardless, about a half-mile after we left the School Zone I saw flashing lights in the rear view and said “Woah.” Anjel asked: “What?” to which I replied (with genuine surprise) “… I think I’m getting pulled over.”
We were issued the citation without incident and sent on our way. It’s actually only the second speeding ticket I’ve ever recieved in my 17 years of driving. I received the first about 5 years ago when driving with Anjel and her Father and Sister through Port Townsend, Washington (in a car with California plates). It was a similar situation where the speed dropped from 55 to 45 to 35 as we approached a town. I’m always careful about those now – especially on this last motorcycle trip we took out here, since we passed so many small towns that are always happy to boost their income a little. Anyway, we’re a little poorer and a lot more cautious on the backroads, but other than that, still doing alright.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s lame man, do we need to put a new field in the stats app for amount spent on flimsy legal fees? This would cover amounts spent bribing customs officers and foreign police as well as paying questionable traffic fees.
ha. i like the idea of a “fees/bribes” section. do it.
Ouch.
Hooligans. The both of you. But $200+ for 30 in a 20? Srsly.
Though a Coloradoan by birth, I deny any and all involvement in the conception, formulation, and legislation of any and all laws, regulations, ordinances, and codes pertaining to traffic or to the moving of any vehicle of any sort in any way within the state’s borders. Yet somehow I feel vaguely responsible. . .
At least you’re supporting the local economy…