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Activism See other Activism Articles Title: Warning drivers leads to arrest, vindication Three years ago, when Lakeway resident Lance Mitchell launched his website, SpeedTrap-Ahead.org, he didn't hide his intentions. "Not a lot of people flash their lights to warn others nowadays," he wrote. "But, I DO! And when I see a speed trap, I go back up the road a bit, and stand on the sidewalk, wearing my SpeedTrapAhead T-shirt." The site was soon hosting discussions on topics useful to a certain type of driver: Was crossing over a white line technically illegal or merely not recommended? Does state law require that you produce a driver's license if detained? Mitchell also started chronicling his own occasional acts of civil disruption, often accompanied by self-produced video. "I saw a cop pull up in the parking lot of the old Lake Travis Elementary," he wrote in March 2008. "About 1,000 feet up the road, there was a perfect spot for me to set up. So, there I stood, holding my 2 x 2 hand held sign, waving my other hand and pointing at the sign." With the determination of a superhero, he vowed to continue his crusade. "I'll be out again soon! Any time, any place I see a cop blasting out radar, I'll be not too far away, blasting out my message." It was a message many Lakeway drivers were ready to hear. A fast-growing community of 14,000 in northwestern Travis County, the city has a reputation for its unforgiving radar traps. "I've heard that," admitted Dede King of the Greater Lakeway Residents Association. "The police watch the traffic pretty well." "I don't think we deserve the reputation," said City Manager Steve Jones. But, he added, "I think we're diligent in traffic enforcement. And it sends a message." Mitchell's revolt hit a nerve. People began recognizing him at garage sales and the grocery store as the Speedtrapahead guy. Locals logged on to the website to support his crusade. "I just saw you with your sign on Lohmans Crossing," Dave wrote. "Way to go! I commend you on your gallantry!" And, from jbythelake: "I saw you today and we REALLY appreciate what you are doing! My husband got a ticket the day we moved to Lakeway. Thanks again!!!!!" And, on April 22, 2009, from Beth: "Just saw you being handcuffed and arrested in Lakeway. I'd like to know what you are being charged with." It turned out to be a complicated question. Theory vs. reality "People often ask if I was angry about getting a speeding ticket in my past," Mitchell, now 47, said. "But I've had one ticket in the last 25 years. I'm an excellent driver." Mitchell said he and a friend in 2007 were brainstorming about websites to launch when he landed on the idea of something involving speed traps. "My father was a truck driver, and he always flashed his lights to warn people of a radar trap, and I always did that myself," he said. "So it was just curiosity." Eventually, he wondered if he couldn't also display a sign warning drivers of an upcoming radar trap as an interactive way to promote his site. "I discovered while it was illegal to warn people of an enforcement action, that didn't apply to the traffic code," Mitchell said. "So I thought, 'Great! Now I can hold a sign!' " (A researcher at the Texas District and County Attorneys Association confirmed his reading of state law.) Mitchell commissioned a plastic, diamond-shaped orange sign emblazoned with "Speedtrapahead.org." In early 2008, he began staging speeding motorist interventions. Mitchell figured he was performing the same public service as a real police speed trap, but at a significantly lower cost to the driver. "People slow down when they see me," he said. "They pay attention." Since there is no citation, "it saves money on tickets, insurance rates go down, people drive safer. And isn't that the whole purpose of the police being there?" In theory, it is. In reality, local governments, especially in small towns, appreciate the money raised by traffic tickets. Some towns welcomed it so much that Texas passed a law capping the revenue small municipalities may receive from speeding tickets at 30 percent of their total budgets. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 4.
#2. To: christine, jethro tull, psusa (#0)
haha! the guy filed a federal lawsuit, the pig quit, & the state settled so that the guy dont have to works for 5 months. this story warms my heart! :-D See the feds settled the lawsuit by that ron paul supporter who sued after being arrested for filming cops. See how easy these weak minded govt scum settle? more people have to go to the trouble to SUE THEM! thanks for the post.
Sure. The very last thing they want is a trial. But I would be inclined to hold out for a really good settlement, and not settle to just make it go away. They made their attack run on me and missed, and now its my turn. .
#5. To: PSUSA (#4)
yeah i like that idea. one guy collected $50k for being arrested for flipping off a cop.
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