To Beat 24 Officers

Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
February 28, 2008

Will you please increase your patrol presence on Lake Avenue in the vicinity of the Woodstock Wal-Mart?

During all hours of the day and night drivers use the curb lanes in both directions for high-speed passing lanes. The speed limit there is 40MPH. Speeds of 55-60 are not uncommon to pass us slowpokes who are moseying along at the 40MPH speed limit.

And how about ticketing drivers leaving Wal-Mart at the west exit who fail to stop at the stop sign? They roll down the driveway, glance (sometimes) toward the east to see if there might be room before an oncoming vehicle enters the intersection, and then coast right through the stop sign and turn right. Westbound drivers have to reduce speed to avoid rear-ending the driver who just ran the stop sign and turned out in front of them.

Morning rush-hour is a good time to catch eastbound drivers, and about any time after 3:30PM is a good time to grab westbound drivers.

Another common violation is made by westbound drivers on Lake Avenue who want to turn left to go south on Route 47. When westbound traffic is heavy and backed up on Lake Avenue, drivers cut into the center of the roadway and use it unlawfully to reach the left-turn lane at Route 47.

Many thanks in advance for your attention to these too-frequent violations. No warnings, please; just write the tickets.

To you drivers who like these maneuvers, a ticket will cost you $75-150, and the court costs will add about $160 to the fine. Is it worth it?