One less speed trap on US 301: Hampton may disappear!

[ChriswUfGator]

I got a ticket in Hampton for 10 over. They are definitely a speed trap. Very well-mannered and professional cop, though. In fact he was so nice and courteous that I actually just paid the ticket instead of weaseling out of it like usual.

I've never even seen a cop pull someone over in that area....the real speed traps are Lawtey, Starke, and Waldo, where they will gladly write you a ticket for going 2-3 mph over the limit.

Just reporting my personal experience, as I got a ticket in Hampton. Take it for whatever data point it's worth. I'm not saying Waldo and Lawtey aren't also speed traps, they are.

[peestandingup]

Good. Blow up the entire useless town. Little House On The Prairie style!

[Tacachale]

I've read that Hampton has at most 1,400 feet on 301 and yet they were taking in $200,000 a year in traffic citations mostly from 301. That's more than Lawtey which has 3 miles of 301 and a school on the road. The Bradford County sheriff doesn't even think they have enough space on 301 to properly track and pull over a vehicle in their jurisdiction. They backed off after 2012 when the sheriff called them out on it.

[I-10east]

I've been driving US-301 pretty regularly for about 12 years, going to G-ville's VA. I only got one ticket about eight months ago going through that hellhole speed trap corridor (Waldo) for 'avoiding a traffic device'.

I cut through an abandoned gas station, because this eighteen wheeler at a weird turning angle in front of me was taking forever to make a left turn at a stop sign on the highway from that side road; A car was in front of me did the exact same thing that I was trying to do, but I got caught. It would've taken me probably ten minutes waiting on that truck.

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

That whole area is pathetic.

They could make more money in gas station / restaurant sales taxes and employment for locals is they got rid of the speed traps.

Most people may not speed through there but they also refuse to patronize any of those businesses there. Why give such horrible towns / people and business and tax money if they are just a bunch of backwards people who are so weak they can only have sowed traps to project pride and power.

[I-10east]

That whole area is pathetic.

I agree. As much as I'm not wild about Gainesville, those crappy 301 speed trap towns make G-ville look like a welcome haven.

[I-10east]

Hampton made the national news, of course for all of the wrong reasons. It would be a freaking miracle if Hampton maintains it's existence.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kELze26IXpk

[Keith-N-Jax]

They should wipe that whole area off the map. I had to travel that stretch quite a bit when I worked at the VA in GV, before getting an apt there. Thanks for the vid. 

[carpnter]

The story is on CNN's website today
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/09/us/hampton-florida-corruption/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

[I-10east]

First Hampton, now Waldo, FL is facing corruption for it's speed trap. Allegations like ticket quotas among other things. As soon as actionnews releases the vid, I'll post it. 

[I-10east]

^^^Here's the article

http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/news/waldo-police-officers-say-chief-forced-them-write-/ng98q/

[mbwright]

You can always take hwy 121 instead. (it is just the next exit on I-10 past 301)  It goes through Lake Butler, but much less traffic, and no traps.