Rolly: Readers, and cops, reveal more speed traps

In response to my recent column about speed traps, which included 3000 East between Fort Union Blvd. and the Cottonwood Corporation buildings, Cottonwood Heights Police Sgt. Scott Peck told me traffic cops don't work that street too much, but he wanted me to alert readers to a much more patrolled speed trap in his city.

"A much bigger trap where I would love to have people slow down is northbound on Wasatch Drive as it passes the 7-Eleven at 7000 South. It's a 45 mph zone, and we start pulling people over at 60 mph."

So he wants you to know about that trap so you will slow down.

"I appreciate you educating the public on speed," he said. "We would love to write no tickets and focus on other public safety issues and this information helps immensely."

Here are some other speed traps I have learned about:

• Judith Boulden notes there are perpetual speed traps on East Capitol Boulevard next to the state Capitol where a 25 mph speed limit presumably protects "all the jay-walking legislators."

She says that policing that area "apparently requires two cruisers that often park together facing opposite directions, perhaps to facilitate drivers-side chat."

• Chanse Frenette works in an office west of Trolley Square and says Salt Lake City Police officers routinely hang out on the corner of 600 East and 600 South. Tucked away in Trolley Square's northwest corner, they flag people going eastbound on 600 South all morning, he says. It's easy pickings because the speed limit is 30 and it's a five-lane expressway.

• Jim Martin tells me there is a smartphone app drivers can access and be warned of speed traps.

"I got it from a trucker and if truckers use it, I'm using it," he says. It's called Waze, and Martin says it works. "Every time I get on the road I log on and all the other Waze users post where the police are.

• One reader wrote to defend the speed traps set up near the Garner Funeral Home on 11th Avenue above the Salt Lake City Cemetery. The recipient of the ticket wondered why a speed trap was deployed in an area where there are nothing but dead people.

But this reader says that section of 11th Avenue is popular with bikers, runners and walkers. The road is very windy and drivers often go too fast and have difficulty maneuvering around the curves, causing them to veer into the bike lane.

Also, a deer herd often resides in the cemetery, and this reader has more than once seen a motorist hit the cemetery wall to avoid a darting deer.

So, don't expect the speed trap to go away just because there are no residents in the area. Just slow down.

prolly@sltrib.com —