Florence, South Carolina Speed Traps
On highway 501 North Under the Great Pee Dee River
We were returning home from Myrtle beach SC and were on highway 501 heading north. As we crossed the Great Pee Dee River, a SC Highway Patrol Officer jumped out from under the bridge and pointed something at our car. It was a radar gun.This was scary as he waits until cars are about to cross the bridge then pops up. Up the road about a half mile are several highway patrols which catch motorists. This is where Marion county(The poorest county in SC) changes to Florence. this is a trap as tourist leave SC. I wasnt speeding but saw a number of motorist caught. What scared us was how this guy waits until you are about to cross the bridge going north then pops up and points something at your car. It takes a second for the driver to realize who who pointing at the car. Never seen that in my entire life of living in SC.
I-95 "construction zones" north of Florence
As many as 20 patrol cars of various types in the median before and throughout the "construction zone". Very aggressive behavior, including flying up on the left lane and shoulder at very high speeds. Several cars pulled over simultaneously. Also, dog searches and cars stripped.
I-20 past I-95 coming into Florence
speed limit drops from I-20 interstate speed to 45 mph very quickly city police are on side of road with radar gun and at bottom of hill it looks like this is an obvious speed trap to generate revenue
On I-20, just before it merges with I-95
The speed trap car sits mostly at the bottom of a long downhill grade, the “chase car parks behind an overhead bridge abutment, just before the town of Ridgeland Exit, Very close to the I-20/ I-95 interchange. The patrol officer already has the ticket filled out, only needing to add your information to the citation. The city was sued and lost a case and had to remove all of it’s red light cameras, so they switched to ticketing drivers on I-20 for their revenues. They know almost all of those ticketed will not travel back there to fight their case.
Hoffmeyer Road,coming or going in or out of Florence.
The Police will be sitting in the Parking lot of the Catholic church, some place close by, a school zone is to be observed, but other times it is 40 miles an hour.