LAPD / CHP speed trap log - please contribute

[Talk2meg00se]

I have noticed that the LAPD & CHP tend to set up their speed traps at the same 'ole locations. This makes sense as, on freeways as large and as busy as the ones that we have the metropolitan LA area, there are only so suitable trap areas that these burdensome, de facto artificial tax imposers can utilize.

Given that this blog features a large number of CA users who tend to be highly attuned to not only where the police are, but also where they repeatedly frequent (especially in terms of our individual day-to-day commutes), I thought that it would be a great resource.

Specifically, is anyone interested in helping with an interactive / static map detailing common LAPD / CHP speed traps?

It starts with laying the groundwork - we need to know where they are.

For example, I'll get the ball rolling with the following 3:

1. 1-10W, between Robertson and the 405 turn off. There is a strange, out-of-place netted area above National. LAPD tends to hide there, with the driver-side door flush against the net to minimize the car's profile from the 10. Unfortunately, these parasites tend to camp areas such as this in early morning or late-night (and seem to always be there before 7am and after 10pm) - i.e. as soon as traffic starts to speed-up a bit, you can expect your friendly, concerned boys-in-blue camping out looking to give you a 400 dollar fine for going 72 in a 65. Thanks guys. Keep up the good work.

2. Pacific Highway South & Santa Monica Blvd - I apologize for the imprecise cross st. but this is the best that I can do. I have watched, from the boardwalk, CHP motorbike cops utilize the housing on the west side of the road to set traps - they will repeatedly ambush motorists heading south on PCH. Ticket after ticket will be issued. The infractions? 5-10mph over the limit, maybe?

3. 405S & El Segundo: LAPD will actually do the following: park on the high end of the on-ramp, stand over the cars, and laze targets as they drive past. No way to see it coming. Just know that they're there, and that this is a favorite spot of theirs. And yes, same story as with any other busy freeway in LA - don't expect to see them during the day. Generally pre-7am, post-10pm, they'll be there. Hitting quotas with drivers going 72-80mph.


Just remember, in the eyes of the law, after 65mph, you're speeding. In that shiny, obsessively polished M3 of yours, you're an easy target. Keep them coming!

(editorializing not required )

[Giggs]

get an Escort 9500ix radar detector and Escrort Live cable. You can download their app and it does exactly this on your iphone through a google maps program. I think the app is available for other apps as well. Speed traps are reported by other drivers and saved in the system and reported on the app. The device also tells you when you are approaching one and is set up to report live cops as well. Brilliant device

[Giggs]

let me add to my last post, you have a great idea here for the people that want to save $$

[Talk2meg00se]

Originally Posted by Giggs

get an Escort 9500ix radar detector and Escrort Live cable. You can download their app and it does exactly this on your iphone through a google maps program. I think the app is available for other apps as well. Speed traps are reported by other drivers and saved in the system and reported on the app. The device also tells you when you are approaching one and is set up to report live cops as well. Brilliant device

Thanks man - this is exactly what I had in mind. i'll get one.

[shuggy]

First and foremost, I second the I-10 and Robertson, Talk2meg00se posted. I have also seen CHP camp on the I-10E there, as there is a similar contraption.

4. Sawtelle Blvd. and Graham Pl. (3 blocks south of Pico Blvd., just under the I-10.)

I have seen motorcycle LAPD camping on the west side of Sawtelle in the afternoons (2-5pm.) I was pulled over by an officer standing on foot at this intersection at 5am last spring. I am now always on the lookout here. It may now be a double-fine zone with the Expo Line Phase 2 construction. I believe this strip of Sawtelle is a speed trap provided the 35mph zone, yet on average, the flow of traffic being 40-50mph.

5. I-10 between Cloverfield Blvd. and 11th St. Overpass

On the I-10W, CHP motorcycles hide in the shade, below the numerous overpasses on this strip of the I-10. The average speed going west is usually pretty fast, even during weekday afternoons, so I have only seen them pull over 80+. On the I-10E, I have seen CHP patrol cars parked under the overpass, usually in the evenings, most likely targeting beach-goers on their way home.

6. I-405 between National Blvd. and Culver Blvd.

On the I-405S on this strip, the emergency lane on the right shoulder expand and contract quite a bit. Since the concrete walls are several stories high, CHP patrol cars hide where there is a change of width, as they maintain a perfectly stealth position behind these walls. I see them frequently with no patterns.

On the I-405N on this strip, CHP patrol cars hide behind the entrance on-ramps and are usually found ticketing drivers who don't fully stop for the entrance lights or impatient drivers who cut into the right shoulder to shortcut traffic during rush hour.

By the way, it is also useful to go to the CHP website, learn where their field offices are located, and mentally map them to the areas you frequently drive. The freeways around their offices are easy targets for them due to convenience, and thus my approach is to be a prudent driver around these 'high-threat' zones.

[Giggs]

Originally Posted by Talk2meg00se

Thanks man - this is exactly what I had in mind. i'll get one.

Good choice, it will save your ass. Ka band is the killer. If that pops up theres a highway patrol around and I immediately slow down to the speed limit. It will pick up the signal from a mile out or more depending on how the highway is set up and from all directions. That damn thing has saved my ass countless times, even once from a laser from a motorcycle cop. Make sure you buy the smartcord (its sold separate) and comes with a 1 year subscription I believe.

[THE TECH]

West LA definitely gets the brunt of these things.

[shuggy]

Totally.

In addition, if the majority of cited motorists contested their tickets via TBD instead of paying them outright, the police would probably cut down or revise their ticketing regimen as the cost of processing it through the courthouses would become VERY costly!

[Orange fever]

Great info.... Keep them coming

[Mthrice]

Heres another one.

118w at 405 overpass. They hide in plain sight. The shade created by the overpass makes them very hard to see unless you know where to look

[cooler2442]

Top 5 places that the most tickets were handed out in last year:

http://laist.com/2013/05/16/top_5_pl...eding_tick.php

[Talk2meg00se]

we're on a roll.

[gimmethemuumuu]

If it hasn't been mentioned yet, log/report on Trapster. They've got a mobile app. It's prob a very good format for this sort of thing.

[Charlie@McKennaBMWService]

How about you don't speed?

[slo_guy]

2 freeway southbound from the 210 Mountain, Holly, and York onramps/off ramps

2 freeway northbound Holly and Mountain exits and turn off near a field

Pretty much all hours of the day

[LAE92]

I-10w between 4-5pm mon-fri off of la brea behind the netting. Always a chp officer in a cruiser with a radar gun and checking for handheld cell phone users.

I-10e sporadic camping off the island for the Arlington-Olympic exits. No radars, too much traffic. They are just looking for general violations. If you are in the fast lane you are generally okay.

I-60w 7:30-9:00am mon-fri off of crossroads parkway behind a split in the fwy walls. Radars

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by Charlie@McKennaBMWService

How about you don't speed?

Nonsense.

[shuggy]

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

Nonsense.

Totally agree!

Some speed limits are too restrictive.

[shuggy]

Olympic Blvd and Cotner Ave (south side, one block east of the I-405) - LAPD camps on Cotner, looking for incomplete stops and speeders on Olympic.

[shuggy]

I-5 South, south of I-91, there are a lot of overpasses on this wide strip of the I-5 where CHP can hide underneath in a shaded environment.

Since the flow of traffic is quite fast here, I don't see them flinching at 80mph. If you're a 90mph driver, I'd watch out.

[Longboarder]

The entire 73 Toll Road.

Newport Coast (from PCH) coming up the long hill just before the Pelican Hill North light and in between the San Joaquin Hills road intersection and the 73.

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by Mthrice

Heres another one.

118w at 405 overpass. They hide in plain sight. The shade created by the overpass makes them very hard to see unless you know where to look

I saw one yesterday when I was driving through that section.