Speed Trap On PCH Exposed

Nice be recognized as a venerable resident and appreciated as contributor to the local social media, as I was by the infamous Tom Fakehany.

But perhaps more interesting to local residents might be the circumstances of our chance meeting in the Santa Monica Court house, where Tom works and I was there to plead “not guilty” to a speeding ticket I received on the PCH incline east leading down into the Malibu Civic Center.

Yes, that notorious so-called "Ralphs" speed trap, which in fact is my defense, for it clearly is a trap, and that I look forward to arguing by citing Vehicle Code 40801. That statue PROHIBITS police from using speed traps in arresting, or assisting in the arrest of, a person for any vehicle code violation, per Vehicle Code 22350.

I hope to argue its design (55 to 45 MPH on a 10% sloop) attracts traffic cops like bees to honey, and they hide in the turn in to the shopping center, like coyotes, haunting the strip for violators, which have included an inordinate number of innocent (and no so innocent) locals.

It seems in their sights particularly are the elderly such as myself, and in a dated Prius as mine. The police apparently do so with the confidence their prey will be intimidated; not protest and just dutifully pay the fine, so the arresting officer reportedly can meet their alleged ticket quota.

Not me, and I resolutely look forward to the court date, and somehow lifting the curse of the infamous incline.