Speed Trap

[Ronald Baker]

I just want to say that Walterboro S.C. is a Speed Trap. A highway sign off I95 referencing 12 Antique Shops entices unsuspecting travelers into the town and then, the speed limit shifts from 45 to 35 about 200 feet from a stop light. I was ticketed on a Sunday morning (10/12/08) when there was NO traffic and in a wide 4 lane avenue. Believe me, this is a Speed Trap as I noticed 4 (yes, count them, FOUR) other Police Cars in a half mile stretch of that avenue while turning around and driving back to the Interstate. My wife and I had decided against visiting their Antique Shops!(if in fact, they do exist )And I hope no one else does either.........

[GettintheBoot]

Ronald Baker wrote:

I just want to say that Walterboro S.C. is a Speed Trap. A highway sign off I95 referencing 12 Antique Shops entices unsuspecting travelers into the town and then, the speed limit shifts from 45 to 35 about 200 feet from a stop light. I was ticketed on a Sunday morning (10/12/08) when there was NO traffic and in a wide 4 lane avenue. Believe me, this is a Speed Trap as I noticed 4 (yes, count them, FOUR) other Police Cars in a half mile
stretch of that avenue while turning around and driving back to the Interstate. My wife and I had decided against visiting their Antique Shops!(if in fact, they do exist )And I hope no one else does either.........

What, did you miss the course when getting your drivers license on what those signs that say speed limit are for. So what if the sign is 200 feet from a stoplight( they are not always red.)
Just becasue there wasn't any traffic doesn't make it ok to ignore posted sign's. I will always be amazed when people gripe because they speed
and then complain because they got a ticket.( you probaly would have gotten a warning if you hadn't
argued with the officer)( you know you did.) I have lived in Walterboro for 8 yrs ( the 1st 6 months with out of state tags) I have never been
pulled over by any of our law enforcement( Local, state or sherriff within the city limits) Ya know why, I obey the laws no matter what day or time.
And yes I have been stopped for speeding before
because I wasn't paying attention, in most cases if you apologize and are sincere the officer will
tell you to have a good day. The last thing they want when doing a job nobody appreciates, is some
moron argueing with them over the placement of the sign. No I am not in law enforcement, And we have several antique shops that do exist that are
operated by (non whining) law abiding citizens.
Ps. The average car can go from 60-stop in under
200 feet. Since your car can't seem to drop 10mph in that distance get your brakes checked.( or use them it's the larger pedal to the left of the gas pedal.

[Dan from Walterboro]

I have lived in Walterboro, SC for about a year now and when you get off interstate 95 to visit the antique shops you do not expect the speed limit on a four lane road to go from forty-five to thirty-five for no apparent reason. Yes, you are expected to read the road signs and obey the law, however; it seems that every town has a spot that is unsuspecting to out-of-towners where they can raise some quick revenue. I was surprised when I first saw the speed limit signs there as the limit on the secondary roads leading to my rural home are posted at forty-five for single lanes; don't figure. If Walterboro expects vacationing people to stop and spend their dollars they should reconsider the location of the reduced speed limits and try to encourage tourism. I find this section of road to very disappointing.

[Dan from Walterboro]

To GettintheBoot:

You sound like an x-police officer. You know most people do appreciate what policemen do for us, we just do not appreciate it when a ticket is given for no other reason then to raise money for the town. When a driver enters a reduced speed zone and is traveling with the traffic and is not a danger to the community but may have missed the sign and is rewarded by given an expensive speeding ticket, this is not in keeping with what we refer to as respect for the law. It angers and insults a good driver. It harms the community by keeping out travelers and those that may just want to site-see. It is not a lack of respect for the law, it is just human nature to not get slapped in the face. I commend you for never getting a ticket and I am proud that you know where your brake is, however; with your attitude the city of Walterboro will always remain a small southern town and will resist growth and opportunity. Posted speeds should be fair to all. When I see several police vehicles lined up to stop speeders I am not stupid, I know there is a speed-trap. Welcome to the south man and here's your sign.