There have been emails floating around Michigan about a possible "Speeding Ticket Frenzy" to be launched in the state for February. In addition to including information about where and when the speed traps will occur, the message includes this gem of logic:
The state estimates that 9 million dollars will be generated in speeding tickets. A million will go to pay state troopers overtime. There will be 50 state troopers on duty 24/7 patrolling the following highways AND MORE!
After doing the research we can tell you that this is not only false but also illogical. First, why would Michigan choose the shortest month for a frenzy? Second, anyone who has ever driven through Romulus knows that every month is a speeding ticket frenzy in parts of Michigan. The full email and the state's response below the jump.
Actual Forwarded Email
Received this through the grapevine, haven't verified, but it sounds
like something Michigan would do.Heads up. This comes from a very credible source.
Speeding Tickets in Mich. - Crackdown in February
In February, Michigan will launch a 30-day speeding ticket frenzy.
The state estimates that 9 million dollars will be generated in speeding tickets. 1 million will go to pay state troopers overtime. There will be 50 state troopers on duty 24/7 patrolling the following highways AND MORE!
I-75 North and South
I-94 From Ann Arbor to Port Huron
Entire length of I-96 & I-696
I-275 North and South
M-10 Lodge FwyNow, 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket, and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10 minutes. They have issued 30 brand new unmarked Crown Victoria cruisers and they are bringing all their part timers on full time.
Wear your seat belt, have nothing hanging from the rear view mirror, do the speed limit - use cruise control if you have it, no cracks in your windshield and use your turn signals!
State Response
The Michigan State Police (MSP) is announcing that a widely distributed e-mail message about a "30-day speeding ticket frenzy" to be conducted by the MSP is completely false. There is no such effort underway at this time, or any time in the future, to generate revenue through the issuance of traffic citations. Citizens should regard the warning as nothing more than an urban legend.
Versions of this e-mail have been circulating in cyberspace for a few years. Several other states including New Jersey, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Oklahoma have also been targeted in this hoax.
(Thanks to Chris Lee for the Tip) [Source: State of Michigan]