S.C. Ranks Highly for Speed Traps

If you're traveling the backroads this Labor Day weekend, take notice: South Carolina ranks No. 4 in the continent for most speed traps. And it's second only to Washington, D.C., in the United States, according to recent study results released by the National Motorists Association.

The rankings are based on motorist reports of speed traps to the online National Speed Trap Exchange. Mount Pleasant has 12 reported speed traps on the site, including the base of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and Simmons Street near Coleman Blvd., among other locations in the town. See the full list.

The website defines speed traps as any road or intersection that combines arbitrarily low speed limits with heavy traffic enforcement designed to generate ticket revenue.

"While the intent may be to modify driver behavior long-term, that is rarely the result," the organization said in an email to reporters. "Speed traps keep springing up in the same locations, the issuance of tickets flows unabated, and there is no material effect on traffic safety."

While the state ranks highly, communities in suburban Dallas and Detroit had the highest number of affirmed speed traps by community. Minnesota, Quebec and New Hampshire had the fewest speed traps on the state level.

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