Not so fast, ex-county official tells authorities after speeding ticket

[The Straight Story]

Should someone be ticketed for speeding when the speed-limit sign is missing and even the police chief isn't sure what the legal limit is?

Last week, former Anoka County Board Chairman Dennis Berg was pulled over for driving 43 miles per hour on Hwy. 169 in Champlin. The ticket says he was in a 30 mph zone.

At that point, Berg really shifted into high gear.

There was no speed limit posted in the immediate area, and in contacting half a dozen state, county and city officials, he cited a Minnesota statute saying that the limit on all trunk highways is 55 unless otherwise posted.

"We just assumed it was 30 miles per hour," said Champlin Police Chief David Schwarze, who was among those contacted by Berg -- along with Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, the Champlin city administrator and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, among others.

http://www.startribune.com/local/north/116513523.html

[villager]

1. It's not ever about "speeding" -- traffic cops simply collect regressive forms of tax

n/t

[rocktivity]

2. That happened to me

I was going 55, they said it was 45. I pointed out that I passed a sign that said 55, but not a sign that said 45 -- it was probably missing. I didn't get a ticket!

But Villager is right about the regressive tax--thanks to the Bush tax cuts, fines are a desperate source of revenue for small towns.

:headbang:
rocktivity