Juno's White Van Making Speeders Take Heed
Controversial speed trap van has nabbed over 7,000 speeders since March
By BRIAN HAMACHER
Updated 9:30 AM EDT, Mon, Dec 21, 2009
As far as cities go, Juno Beach may be small potatoes compared to big bad Miami, but the quint coastal town up the road has drivers on edge.
That's because a speeder-nabbing white van has nabbed over 7,000 leadfoots since it was put on the streets in March, netting the town over $460,000, according to the Palm Beach Post.
The special van has cameras that use a high-tech light beam to snap pics of cars moving 9 mph or more past the speed limit. Violators get a $125 fine for the first offense, doub;ed to $250 for the second.
Juno drivers aren't happy about the van's presence.
"That van is bogus," Palm Beach council member Eric Jablin, who got a ticket earlier this year, told the Post. "The town should have signs up warning motorists. And, I was not speeding."
Jablin may have a point. Nearly 100 tickets have been appealed and overturned, and a class-action lawsuit claiming that the van can't see who is driving has been filed. Not to mention that state's Department of Transportation thinks the frequent location of the van is illegal.
"The van is a safety hazard. I told (Juno Beach officials) they have to move it," said Brian Blanchard, with the DOT. "I'm notifying state officials in that district now."
Despite the fact that the van may be cutting down on speeders, it has gotten numerous complaints from locals who claim Juno is earning a reputation as a place to be avoided.
"I used to surf and hit a place for lunch in Juno. Now I go to Jupiter. It's not worth driving through Juno," said Paul Gardner, a resident of nearby Oakland Park.
Despite the negativity, Juno Mayor Mort Levine is sticking by his van, not just for the monetary payoff, but also for the safety benefit.
"That van saves lives," Levine said.
First Published: Dec 21, 2009 9:13 AM EDT
You Might Like
You have 2000 characters left
