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Old 08-02-2021, 04:02 PM   #1
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I-80 Iowa speed trap BEWARE

As you leave Iowa or enter it on I -80 beware of the speed traps there. The town of Leclaire , Iowa has placed cameras on the I-80 bridge. If you are 1-5 miles over the limit you get a $25.00 ticket. It goes up from there. Since March this parasite town has collected over 2.4 million dollars from unsuspecting travelers all done in the name of safety. The limit drops from 70 in Illinois so they have chosen a particularly lucrative spot to place their cameras. They also have cameras on US Rt 67 going into town. If that isn't enough the police are usually running radar every day. You are advised to drive under the limit in this area. The American Pickers store is located in this town , almost like bait. Leclaire, Iowa is a tourist and speed trap you might want to bypass SLOWLY.
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Old 08-02-2021, 04:13 PM   #2
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What is the speed limit you're referencing?
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Old 08-02-2021, 04:28 PM   #3
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We used to have speed cameras around, but our state outlawed them (Tennessee). We still have red light cameras at critical intersections, I don’t mind them, but I am glad our speed cameras are gone.

(I’ll admit to driving a little fast when in a car… but when I’m in my truck, towing my Airstream, I’m usually a bit under the speed limit (or quite a bit under the limit if on the interstate).)
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Old 08-02-2021, 04:34 PM   #4
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I think municipalities that use speed cameras are generally corrupt. It’s a revenue stream that has nothing to do with safety and they know it.

Still, when towing especially, I’m generally at the speed limit. And not on interstates. So that helps.

Sorry about you being tagged! It’s infuriating.
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Old 08-02-2021, 04:36 PM   #5
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They took away our red light cameras a few years ago which I thought was a bad decision, they were really making people stop at red lights, what a concept. After they took them out red light accidents and fatalities went up so one by one they are changing all our intersections, many now have red arrows that stay red through the green cycle, then when the light turns red there is a pause before you get your green turn arrow to allow for red light runners.

Our police are way understaffed, my idea is to hire 1,000 or so motorcycle traffic cops and pay for it by raising fines. Everyone wins but the law breakers. So far nobody else likes my idea.

As far as speeding on the interstate, the speed limits are so high now I don't understand the need to go even faster.
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Old 08-02-2021, 04:55 PM   #6
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Beside the cameras, they run radar in the country where they have a 35 mph limit. One would think they were out of the city; but they are not.
BOYCOT THIS AREA; IT'S WHERE I 80 CROSSES THE MISSISSIPPI. MAKE THE MERCHANTS SUFFER!!!!

This must becoming the norm, as Geneseo Il. has extended their city limits into what one would think was country.
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Old 08-02-2021, 05:13 PM   #7
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If you take the southern bypass of the quad cities by going straight onto I-74 when I-80 turns North, then you will completely miss the greedy little town.
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Old 08-02-2021, 05:20 PM   #8
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It is not a new trap... the behavior has been going on for years. The Iowa Appeals Court actually defends the use of speed cameras for purely revenue collection intentions:

Appellate panel in Iowa tosses two lawsuits against the use of interstate speed cameras.
https://thenewspaper.com/news/51/5154.asp
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Old 08-02-2021, 05:45 PM   #9
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I’m with the others here when towing my Airstream. I never exceed 65 mph, and I stick to the posted speed limits.

When I’m in the Porsche, this is a bit more challenging.
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Old 08-02-2021, 06:22 PM   #10
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I believe mileage very close to same by using southern bypass, connects back to I80 west of trap area. I haven't driven N I80 west into Iowa for several yrs. Now using S bypass. I80 when turns north used to be very rough. The stretch that turns N favorite for Il.state police to arrest speeders [well known by truckers]. The villages that are extending city limits into country is prevalent my area, one village extends about 4 miles, hiding and using unmarked cars.
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Old 08-02-2021, 09:19 PM   #11
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One interesting question to ask when stopped was the radar checked and recalibrated today by an independent inspector to ensure accuracy? Good defense in the UK.
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Old 08-03-2021, 02:56 AM   #12
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If you are obeying the law and not speeding you don't get a ticket, correct?
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Old 08-03-2021, 07:50 AM   #13
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… Our police are way understaffed, my idea is to hire 1,000 or so motorcycle traffic cops and pay for it by raising fines. Everyone wins but the law breakers. So far nobody else likes my idea...

Traffic fines are a terrible way to fund a LE agency (in that it puts too much pressure on Officers to issue Citations when they might not be warranted).

In the agency I’m retired from it actually cost us money to issue Infractions (the agency cut goes into the General Fund) and that’s the way we wanted it. When I wrote a ticket it was because (in my opinion) it was deserved. Traffic fines aren’t supposed to be a form of revenue.
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Old 08-03-2021, 08:56 AM   #14
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If you are obeying the law and not speeding you don't get a ticket, correct?
NOt quite correct as false readings can show speeding. I was in Signal corp depot in Germany where repairs of equip. were made including radar, radar must be calibrated daily & log kept of method used & readings & certified. what was found in repair was sometimes rain will cause false readings, this little known fact, other factors can also cause errors, [there are many. I won't go into details]. There are a few lawyers that have intensive knowledge of error factors. Illinois has restrictions where speed changes & speed zones are, & placement of speed & red light cameras many local governments violate these restrictions. Avoid these local spots & when revenue severely drops for merchants and city coffers, maybe some changes will happen?
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Old 08-03-2021, 09:51 AM   #15
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What the OP is talking about is the speed change from 70 mpg in Illinois to 65 mpg in Iowa immediately after crossing the Mississippi River. I agree that you should avoid the town of LeClaire. The town is a couple of miles off the interstate so it is strictly an income revenue stream.
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Old 08-03-2021, 10:07 AM   #16
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Are people really suggesting that the shop keepers in LeClaire are responsible for or should be held accountable for the enforcement actions of the troopers on the freeway?

Speed limits change crossing state lines all the time. It's not the fault of the shop keepers and business owners in the nearest town, and I don't see how punishing them will change anything.
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Old 08-03-2021, 12:30 PM   #17
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Are people really suggesting that the shop keepers in LeClaire are responsible for or should be held accountable for the enforcement actions of the troopers on the freeway?

I’m not sure what agencies are permitted to put up speed cameras. In the places I’m familiar with it’s the municipalities that decide to put them up (and that receive the revenue from them). Not sure how that applies to interstates and freeways.

I am not a fast driver and as a bicyclist, am pretty fastidious when it comes to the rules of the road. But when I get tagged by a red light camera for not coming to a complete stop (not even a rolling stop) for 3 seconds before turning right, when there are no cars anywhere in sight, I know I am driving in a municipality that sees both citizens and visitors as a cash machine. Fair or not, if I can help it at all that municipality will not see any additional revenue from me (and will be informed why in a courteous letter).
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Old 08-03-2021, 12:48 PM   #18
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Speed cameras are one thing, but ticketing for 1-5 MPH over the speed limit is outrageous. You might think you are in complete compliance with the law and if your speedometer is off by as little as 2%, you could receive a citation.

This is clearly not a safety issue but rather an attempt to garner revenue, and it stinks.
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Old 08-03-2021, 01:07 PM   #19
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One will be driving the Interstate speed limit (+/_) in Illinois, and cross into Iowa and without warning the limit is reduced and whamo one gets a ticket. As stated, the town is about 2 miles OFF the Interstate. Yes, they treat one the same way in town; MONEY MAKER !!
In the end, the businesses will suffer.
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Old 08-03-2021, 01:28 PM   #20
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I've been to LeClaire a number of times. Mostly the businesses are mom & pop shops struggling to make it. They are not the ones responsible for whatever cameras or speed traps are on the Interstate. Punishing them for whatever is going on at the Interstate is simply unfair. They are probably just as annoyed at the speed traps as everyone else.

If you're traveling westbound on I-80 there are not a lot of good options here. Either slow down below the limit now that you've been warned, or get off the Interstate and find another way to cross the Mississippi on back roads. Punishing local merchants trying to make a living doesn't seem to me to be anything but vindictive. Sorry.
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