North Plains, Oregon Speed Traps

Saturation patrols espescially on Holiday weekends. Last bit of "civilization" on the way to the coast until it becomes a two lane HWY.

Tickets are handed out for the smallest of traffic violations. Five miles over the speed limit can easily get you a ticket and in my case a ticket that was rounded up five miles an hour. If you think contesting the ticket will get you anywhere even if you were not guilty, think again. In the 21 years I’ve lived here I have not heard of one person getting out of a speeding ticket, or even getting one reduced. In fact last time I had a friend contest one they raised his ticket. Even if you are being safe, they will ticket you. You have no chance in the city court. Be especially aware of the Jackson School road overpass late at night just before entering the city, from 11pm-2am the chance of passing a cop here is approximatly 90%.

Highway – North Plains City Police park under overpasses in both directions on U.S. Hwy 26. Any speed over posted speed of 55 mph is ticketed. No warnings are issued. Average ticket is $109. Traffic signals – The intersecton at the west bound off-ramp is routinely very congested. Don’t try to go through a yellow light if you think it might turn red. They’re watching. Same thing if your trying to make a left turn at this intersection to return to the freeway. The stop for the intersection is far back from the light. Don’t pull into the intersection to make a left turn unless you think you can make it before the light changes, even if the 20 or 30 cars behind you start honking. Minimum ticket is $175 for failure to observe a traffic control device. Additionally, you must appear in court, the municipal judge shows no mercy or leniency. Observation in court indicated that police cite drivers for whatever they can find: expired tags, failure to produce proof of insurance, failure to produce a drivers license, failure to produce registration, improper lane change(no signals), inoperative lights(ANY!), etc. Fines are NOT reduced. You can plead "not guilty" and return to court later, but the judge will not debate or discuss any details of the citation or lame excuses at the initial hearing. Court is held once a month. I saw approximately 100 people go through and pay on average well over $100 for even minor infractions up to well over $300. They are raking in the dough here. It would be interesting to know if they actually patrol the city and provide service and protection for the local residents. I want to add that the police that always the same, the date thatI went to the court we were more that 25 people at the same speed violation by the same police guy, with a few minute difference. They shoul calibrate the divise.

Highway – North Plains City Police park under overpasses in both directions on U.S. Hwy 26. Any speed over posted speed of 55 mph is ticketed. No warnings are issued. Average ticket is $109. Traffic signals – The intersecton at the west bound off-ramp is routinely very congested. Don’t try to go through a yellow light if you think it might turn red. They’re watching. Same thing if your trying to make a left turn at this intersection to return to the freeway. The stop for the intersection is far back from the light. Don’t pull into the intersection to make a left turn unless you think you can make it before the light changes, even if the 20 or 30 cars behind you start honking. Minimum ticket is $175 for failure to observe a traffic control device. Additionally, you must appear in court, the municipal judge shows no mercy or leniency. Observation in court indicated that police cite drivers for whatever they can find: expired tags, failure to produce proof of insurance, failure to produce a drivers license, failure to produce registration, improper lane change(no signals), inoperative lights(ANY!), etc. Fines are NOT reduced. You can plead "not guilty" and return to court later, but the judge will not debate or discuss any details of the citation or lame excuses at the initial hearing. Court is held once a month. I saw approximately 100 people go through and pay on average well over $100 for even minor infractions up to well over $300. They are raking in the dough here. It would be interesting to know if they actually patrol the city and provide service and protection for the local residents