MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DESERVES CREDIT FOR PUTTING SKIDS ON TOWN SPEED TRAP

The Missouri Department of Transportation has put the skids on a speed trap in the small town of Bel-Ridge in St. Louis County.

An engineer with MoDOT said he watched Bel-Ridge police officers manipulate a flashing yellow crosswalk to red as a way to trap motorists. The officers issued "too many tickets to count" at the intersection, and each ticket costs motorists $52 each.

According to county records, the tiny town generated 29 percent of its operating revenue from traffic fines. The percentage is the fourth highest in St. Louis County.

MoDOT claims the town violated an agreement with the highway department that stipulates officers may only manually operate the signal to allow elementary school children to cross the road.

The state's stern treatment of this situation is admirable. This should also send a strong message to other towns, who may be manipulating signals or signs as simply a way to generate revenue.

Those who break the law should be prosecuted, but those who manipulate the law are just as guilty. MoDOT deserves a pat on its back for its role in stopping this ridiculous speed trap.