I'm going through same thing in NOLA. I haven't had a speeding ticket in probably 15 years. There is an old school zone on N. Claiborne where the regular speed limit is 30 and the school limit is 20. There is a sign, but, there are no lights. The school zone has not been enforced in years. This is because the school for which it was created did not reopen after Katrina.

Well, last week, the cops decided to set up a speed trap at 8am (during school hours) and got a TON of people pulled over, including me, for going 30 in a 20 school zone. I could not believe it. I've driven past this intersection for three years and there is never a single kid crossing the intersection, never a crossing guard, and never a police officer out there, because, again, THERE IS NO SCHOOL. Myself and the tons of other people who got tickets that day just assumed the lazy arse city never took down the signs.

So, apparently, a couple of months ago, an in-home day care center (no signs, no indication that it is a day care center, just somebody watching kids in their house who wants to be able to collect government child care assistance checks) opened up 2 blocks from this intersection and the police are using that in home day care center as reason to enforce the school zone.

I think this is total BS... yet I admit I was doing 30 in a "school zone". I've gone back and forth if I should just pay it, but I'm leading towards pleading not guilty and going to talk to the ADA about it. It was clearly a stunt by the police. I drive through about 6 legit school zones every day going to work and I always go 15-18 mph through all of them. Meanwhile, down this stretch, I have driven 30 MPH for years.

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Posted by LSULaw2009

Baton Rouge

Member since Feb 2008

1696 posts

Posted on 12/12/14 at 1:06 pm to LSUFanHouston

If you meet with an ADA you might want to discuss this NOLA ordinance with them.

quote:
Sec. 154-534. - School zones.

(a) Within the limits of all school zones where authorized signs, signals or combinations thereof, designating them as school zones are erected, and within 100 feet upon every designated approach to and within those intersections designated as "School Crossings" and where authorized signs designating such "School Crossings" are erected, it shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to exceed a speed limit of 20 miles per hour during the following hours unless posted otherwise:

(1) 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
(2) 2:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

(b) When and where so designated by the traffic engineer, the speed limit shall also be applicable during any other hours provided, however, such hours are properly posted and the motorist is given proper warning thereof by flashing lights or other appropriate system designating same.

(c) This regulation shall only apply on days when a school that the zone applies to is open for instruction during the regular term.