Every week I receive dozens about so called traffic traps along portions of 275, 75, many local thoroughfares and the area bridges.  Traffic traps are a very specific term and are even illegal in many states, not including Florida.  These traffic traps are defined as “traffic enforcement measures designed to raise revenue rather than prevent crashes.”

However, recently we have received calls about several patrols and perhaps questionable traffic stops around the bay area including along I-275 and in St. Pete.  But according to AAA, at this time, all of the tickets that they have seen are fairly written in areas where patrols warrant.  The only officially designated as traffic traps in the us snag drivers along us 301 north of gainsville in the towns of Waldo and Lawtey. 

And so while technically all traffic stops in the bay area are legitimate, of course it is helpful to know the areas most often patrolled just to be careful… and I have sat down and researched several sites and compiled all of the emails that I have received in a list of the most popular speed enforcement zones in the bay area (see below).  Also, if you feel that you have been unfairly ticketed, AAA is a resource for drivers, you can contact the local branch of AAA by visiting their website at http://www.aaasouth.com. 

BAY AREA ENFORCEMENT AREAS
Apollo Beach, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 75
Nearest Reference Point: Big Bend Road
Unmarked police monitor drivers along north and southbound I-75 between SR 674 and Big Bend Rd.

Arcadia, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Highway 70
Nearest Reference Point: east of the state prison Landmark
Along State Road 70 east of Arcadia just past the State Prison, FHP often patrol. 

Bradenton, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Route 64
Nearest Reference Point: East 7th Street
Speed limit goes from 50mph to 45mph to 35mph within 4 blocks.

Bradenton, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 75
Nearest Reference Point: St. Petersburg Exit
Along I-75, watch for white speed markers as you approach the exit sign that reads “St. Petersburg/Palmetto 2 miles.”

Bradenton, Florida
Enforcement Location: 63rd Street
Nearest Reference Point: 14th st Street
Watch for speed and moving violation patrols at this intersection.

Bradenton, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bayshore Gardens Parkway
Nearest Reference Point: 41 US Highway
The officers sit by the Goodwill Store and patrol regularly and often for speeding and other moving violations. 

Bradenton, Florida
Enforcement Location: Tamiami Trail
Nearest Reference Point: Just North of Airport Landmark
Time of Day: PM Rush Hour
One or two Bradenton police cars often sit on the east side of US 41 just north of the airport.

Brandon, Florida
Enforcement Location: Faulkenburg Road
Nearest Reference Point: Palm River Road
An officer will check cars heading toward Adamo Drive on Faulkenburg Road.

Brandon, Florida
Enforcement Location: Parsons Road
Nearest Reference Point: State Road 60
There is an unmarked cruiser, usually dark green in color, parked next to the Day Care between Wheeler and Jersey Avenues around noon. 

Brandon, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Highway 60
Nearest Reference Point: S. Kings Avenue
If you heading east on Lumsden Road, there is a marked car in the Oak Park Plaza just before South Kings Ave every Sunday morning around 8am. 

Brooksville, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate I-75
Nearest Reference Point: Exit Number 301N
Watch for speed enforcement zones near US 301 northbound and US 98.

Brooksville, Florida
Enforcement Location: Yontz Road
Nearest Reference Point: 41 US Highway
Type of Enforcement: Radar
State Troopers consistently monitor Yontz Road. The speed limit is 35mph and 40mph.

Brooksville, Florida
Enforcement Location: 41 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: Broad Street
This 6-lane stretch of southbound US 41 through Wiscon Rd is heavily patrolled.

Clearwater, Florida
Enforcement Location: Hercules Avenue
Nearest Reference Point: Montclair Road
Motorcycle officers set up their operation in the north driveway of the Lutheran Church across from the Valencia Groves Park. The speed limit is 35mph.

Clearwater, Florida
Enforcement Location: McMullen Booth Road
Nearest Reference Point: Bayside Bridge Landmark
Police frequently enforce the speed limit along the Bayside Bridge.

Clearwater, Florida
Enforcement Location: Countryside Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Enterprise Road
Officers have been noted to sit near the Countryside Golf Course, where the speed limit changes from 45mph to 40mph. 

Clearwater, Florida
Enforcement Location: Main Street
Nearest Reference Point: McMullen Booth Road
Officers frequently patrol this intersection for speeders and other moving violations.

Clearwater, Florida
Enforcement Location: McMullen Both Road
Nearest Reference Point: Hwy 60
Motorcycle police enforce speeds for northbound traffic just coming off of McMullen Booth.  The speed limit changes here from 55mph to 45 mph.

Clearwater Beach, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Highway 60
Nearest Reference Point: State Highway 60
Clearwater Police heavily monitor the Causeway Bridge.

Dade City, Florida
Enforcement Location: 301 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: US 98 US Highway
Going North on US 301, speed limit changes from 55mph to 50mph..

Dunedin, Florida
Enforcement Location: Keene Road
Nearest Reference Point: Country Lakes Drive
Watch for speed and moving violation patrols at this intersection.

Gibsonton/Apollo Beach, Florida
Enforcement Location: 41 South US Highway
From Gibsonton to Apollo Beach, watch for patrols along SB US 41. 

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Busch Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: North Florida Avenue
Just after crossing the railroad tracks heading east on Busch Boulevard, watch for motorcycle patrols. 

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: North 42nd Street
Nearest Reference Point: Between Fletcher & Bruce B Downs Crossing
County Sheriff vehicles (car and/or more often motorcycles) patrol often here.  The speed limit is 30 mph, while the prevailing speed when no enforcement is present is 35-50mph. 

Hudson, Florida
Enforcement Location: Clayton Street
Nearest Reference Point: Hudson Avenue
Police monitor drivers for turning before coming to a complete stop on Hudson Avenue.  The speed limit on Hudson Avenue is 45mph and then becomes 30mph on Clayton Street. 

Hudson, Florida
Enforcement Location: Clocktower Road
Nearest Reference Point: 19 US Highway
Police regularly patrol Clocktower Road with speed checks to enforce the 30mph speed limit.

Inverness, Florida
Enforcement Location: SR 581
Nearest Reference Point: BP Mini Mart Landmark
The County Sheriff will run radar or laser along SR 581 approaching the BP Mini Mart at Arbor Drive.

Inverness, Florida
Enforcement Location: Turner Camp Road
Turner Camp is a dead end road 6 miles long. Watch for officers past the short hill.  They patrol for speeders in the approximately 1 mile straight-away. 

Lakeland, Florida
Enforcement Location: West Memorial Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Overpass Bridge Landmark
Be conscious of your speeds along West Memorial Boulevard, as an officer usually sits in a parking lot approx. 100-150 yards from the end of the bridge.

Lakeland, Florida
Enforcement Location: Brunnell Parkway
Nearest Reference Point: Parker Street
Officers typically sit at the top of the hill on Brunnell Parkway and watch for speeders coming up from the lake. 

Lakeland, Florida
Enforcement Location: Memorial Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Old Red Lobster Landmark
Officers park near the old Red Lobster. The speed limit coming West on Memorial Blvd/92 East around Lake Parker is 45mph and then drops to 35mph right after the old Red Lobster.

Land O’ Lakes, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Road 54
Nearest Reference Point: State Highway 41
Time of Day: Late night
Police will be positioned along State Road 54 near the Wal-Mart.  The speed limit here is 45 mph. 

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: Lake Avenue
Watch for intermittent patrols along Lake Avenue.

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: 19 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: State Route 686 East Bay Dr.
Units normally sit just north of East Bay Drive on US 19 where the speed limit falls from 55mph to 45mph. 

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: Missouri Avenue
Nearest Reference Point: East Bay Drive
Time of Day: AM Rush Hour
As you drive southbound, LPD sits across from Largo High School anywhere between Rosary Road and East Bay Drive. 

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: Clearwater-Largo Road
Nearest Reference Point: West Bay Drive
Time of Day: AM Rush Hour
Officers patrol Clearwater-Largo Road many mornings around 6:30 AM.  They sit across from Mildred-Helms Elementary School.

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bryan Dairy Road
Nearest Reference Point: Belcher Road
Time of Day: AM Rush Hour
Type of Enforcement: Radar
Officers often monitor eastbound traffic on Bryan Dairy Rd through Belcher Road. The speed limit is 45mph but cars run regularly at 60mph.

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: Ulmerton Road
Nearest Reference Point: 130th Avenue
As you drive along Ulmerton Road between 119th Street & Vonn Road, watch for patrols along the construction zone and in the EMS building’s parking lot.

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: East Bay Drive
Nearest Reference Point: Starkey Road
Time of Day: Any time of day
Several marked patrol cars will park in businesses along East Bay Drive on the westbound side to watch for speeders.  The speed limit drops to 40mph here.

Longboat Key, Florida
Enforcement Location: Gulf of Mexico Drive
Do not drive faster than 5 MPH over the limit or you will get stopped anywhere along Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Lutz, Florida
Enforcement Location: Simmons Road
Nearest Reference Point: South of Van ##### Road
Motorcycle deputies wait on the east side of Simmons Road to monitor northbound traffic. 

Lutz, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Highway 41
Nearest Reference Point: Newberger Street
Time of Day: Late night
A deputy may sit in one lane of the northbound traffic to catch southbound speeders. 

Manatee County, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 75
Nearest Reference Point: Mile Marker 230-235
This is a heavily patrolled region of I-75 through Manatee County. 

Mulberry, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Road 60
Nearest Reference Point: Old Highway 60 Landmark
Police will sit on SR 37 and 60, watching for speeders.

Myakka City, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Road 70
Nearest Reference Point: Wachula Road
Traveling between Parmalee and Myakka City heading East on SR 70, watch for speeding checkpoints just prior to Myakka City.

New Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bruce B Downs Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Interstate 75
A state trooper often sits under I-75 on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. 

New Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Cross Creek Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Bruce B Downs Boulevard
Watch for speed and other moving violation patrols at this intersection.

New Tampa , Florida
Enforcement Location: Bruce B. Downs Boulevard
Watch for frequent speed patrols near the Live Oak Preserve and Wharton High School. 

Oldsmar, Florida
Enforcement Location: Tampa Road
Nearest Reference Point: Racetrack Road
Pinellas County Deputies heavily monitor this intersection. 

Oldsmar, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Route 580
Nearest Reference Point: Oldsmar Bridge Landmark
Unmarked patrol units heavily monitor this bridge for speeders. 

Oldsmar/Safety Harbor, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Route 580
Nearest Reference Point: Bridge Landmark
Type of Enforcement: Radar, Laser
Officers regularly enforce the 45mph speed limit along SR 58o between Oldsmar and Safety Harbor.

Palm Harbor, Florida
Enforcement Location: McMullen Booth Road
Nearest Reference Point: Just North of Tampa Road Landmark
Pinellas County Deputies heavily monitor this intersection.

Palm Harbor, Florida
Enforcement Location: 19 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: Curlew Road
Unmarked police cars monitor southbound US 19 traffic in the Ferman parking lot.

Palm Harbor, Florida
Enforcement Location: Alderman Road
Nearest Reference Point: State Highway 19/Alt. 19
Officers frequently enforce the 35mph speed limit along Alderman Road d between US and Alternate 19. 

Palmetto, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bus. 41 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: Mobil Gas Station Landmark
Heading south on 41 in Palmetto, officers sometimes sit across the street from the new Mobil to monitor speeders.

Pinellas County , Florida
Enforcement Location: Trinity Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: East Lake Road
Watch your speed when you turn onto Trinity Blvd eastbound from East Lake Rd.  The speed limit is only 45mph on Trinity Boulevard versus 55 mph on East Lake Road. 

Pinellas County, Florida
Enforcement Location: Park Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Seminole Boulevard
Watch for speed and other moving violation patrols at this intersection.

Pinellas County, Florida
Enforcement Location: McMullen Booth Road
Nearest Reference Point: 60 West Road
A motorcycle officer will often patrol McMullen Booth Road, the Bayside Bridge and Gulf to Bay Boulevard.

Pinellas County, Florida
Enforcement Location: 28th AVE N to Gandy Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Roosevelt Boulevard
Be very careful when driving along 28th Avenue North in unincorporated Pinellas County.  The speed limit is only 45mph. 

Pinellas County, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 275
Nearest Reference Point: NB approach to Howard Frankland Bridge Landmark
Heavy FHP presence starting at the Ulmerton Road on-ramp heading northbound on I-275 toward the bridge.

Pinellas Park, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bryan-Dairy Road
Nearest Reference Point: 66th Street Overpass Road
Watch for frequent multi-agency enforcement on Bryan-Dairy Road, east of the 66th Street overpass.

Polk, Florida
Enforcement Location: Cypress Parkway (580)
Nearest Reference Point: Marigold Street
Watch for speed zone along the Cypress Parkway (580) from Haines City to Marigold Avenue.

Jurisdiction (city, county, etc.): Riverview, Florida
Enforcement Location: 301 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: Faulkenburg Road
Time of Day: Mid-day
Officers can post at the entrance of Progressive (Crescent View Drive) during lunch hour.

Saint Petersburg, Florida
Enforcement Location: 9th Street
Nearest Reference Point: 38th - 54th Avenue
9th Street goes from 40mph to 35mph at 54th Avenue.

Saint Petersburg, Florida
Enforcement Location: Gandy Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Interstate 275 onramp/exit
Officers often patrol under I-275.

San Antonio, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 75
Watch for speed patrols along I-75 through San Antonio. 

Sarasota, Florida
Enforcement Location: Siesta Drive
Nearest Reference Point: State Highway 301
This is a heavily patrolled intersection. 

Sarasota, Florida
Enforcement Location: St. Armands Circle
This is a heavily patrolled intersection. 

Sarasota, Florida
Enforcement Location: McIntosh Road
Nearest Reference Point: Bahia Vista Street
This is a heavily patrolled intersection. 

St. Petersburg, Florida
Enforcement Location: 38th Avenue
Nearest Reference Point: 58th Street
Watch for morning patrols near the intersection of 58th Street North and 38th Avenue North.

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: 50th Street
Nearest Reference Point: Fowler Avenue
1/2 mile south of Fowler Avenue, officers patrol for speeders. 

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Fletcher Avenue
Nearest Reference Point: 75 US Highway
Watch for speed enforcement anywhere on Fletcher Ave from I-75 west to 56th Street.

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 275
Nearest Reference Point: Southbound approaching Bearss.
Watch for heavy speed enforcement into Bearss along southbound 275.

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Orient Road
Nearest Reference Point: Orient Rd. Jail Landmark
Speed limits are heavily enforced along Orient Road. 

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bayshore Boulevard
Speed limits are heavily enforced along Bayshore Boulevard.

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 4
Watch for speed enforcement along eastbound I-4 between 50th Street and MLK Boulevard.