We had a Dallas County Constable writing speeding tickets for people who exceeded the posted black on yellow advisory signs on curves. Several people just paid those fines, figuring that it must have been illegal since a law officer wrote the ticket. Actually, those signs are exactly what I called them, advisory, and are not enforceable. Only the black on white speed signs are regulatory. Once that was brough to the attention of the court by one defendant, the rest of the outstanding tickets were dismissed. The ones that had already been paid were money out of the pocket for those drivers.

Now I’m sure you’ll insist that I’m accusing the Dallas County Constable of “widespread corruption” but in reality it was a lack of training. Didn’t do any good for the motorists who paid the fines and had points added to their records, though. Intent is not important when the law causes harm to an individual.

The most disappointing aspect is that the Texas Dept of Transportation issued two orders in 2008 to erect correct signs, but their crews falsified reports of doing the work. I asked Sheriff’s Office to investigate and dismiss citations, but they refused citing that the TXDOT funded the salary of the deputy and that if there was a sign, the were going to enforce it. It seems they didn’t read their agreement to verify before enforcing.

The wife is set for arraignment and we obtained reports, maps, photos, and email proving the error under the Texas Public Information Act. I am supporter of traffic control, but learned you do it through the three E’s…. Engineering, Education and Enforcement. SPEED TRAPS embarrass professional law enforcement.