Escaping to a cozy bed and breakfast on the quaint island of Cedar Key on the north-central gulf coast of Florida, sounded inviting to my husband and me.
When we arrived we strolled around the quiet town, watched people fish from the pier and observed lots of crab traps.
We had memories of visiting Cedar Key decades ago when we stayed at the historic Island Hotel. We couldn't sleep that night because of the loud music and mayhem in the late-night bar beneath our room.
After checking into our bed and breakfast inn, we took another walking tour through the picturesque streets.
"I can feel myself relaxing already," I told my husband as we wandered past the rundown "cracker houses."
"When we get back to our B&B, let's jump in the car and visit the state museum," my husband suggested.
As we slowly drove to the museum that afternoon, we passed the school. There was no activity, and we didn't see a single person. After we drove by the school, we suddenly heard a strange horn behind us. A policeman was flashing the lights on his cruiser.
"Why is he pulling us over?" I asked.
"Oops, I didn't buckle my seat belt," observed Jim. "Can't believe I forgot."
The young police officer approached Jim and asked for his license and car registration.
"What's the problem?" Jim asked.
"First, you need to wear your seat belt. Second, you were going 24 miles an hour in a 15 mph school zone."
"Then I shouldn't have been doing that," Jim answered. "But I honestly didn't see any school zone warnings."
I was amazed Jim was stopped for speeding since he has endured decades of family teasing because he drives so slowly.
The police officer disappeared into his car for several minutes. When he returned, we nervously awaited the verdict and punishment for the crimes.
"Speeding in a school zone carries a fine of $235 ... but I'm going to give you a warning. However, here is a ticket for not wearing a seat belt. It will cost you $65. Have a good day."
Jim was wrong for not wearing his seat belt, so we couldn't complain about the ticket for $65, although it seemed high. But we didn't understand how we could have missed a clearly marked school zone. We decided to backtrack and investigate.
After searching, we found a sign with a light that was able to flash a warning, near the B&B. It was several blocks away from the school; we could barely see the roof in the distance. On the opposite side of the school, there was another similar sign, but we never saw it flashing. When we stopped and studied it, we discovered some small writing at the bottom stating the 15 mph limit was in effect until 2:45 p.m. The ticket was issued at 2:23 p.m. A driver at the wheel would have had trouble reading the small writing while he drove by. Besides, there were no crossing guards, orange cones, parents or children around.
During our stay on the island, we never observed signs posting a speed limit above 20 mph. Were drivers being ticketed if they didn't creep along at that speed?
During breakfast at the B&B the next morning, Jim talked to the hostess and told her about his experience with the police and his ticket. She had an immediate response.
"Our guests are getting ticketed all the time. It's becoming a real problem. We are going to have to start warning people about the police traps. Cedar Key has five police cars, and the island is patrolled 24 hours a day. My son got a fine of $90 when he was driving a golf cart home a couple of minutes after sunset."
What we discovered about the law enforcement in Cedar Key reminded us of the traps for motorists in Waldo, where they rake in the revenue. It became so outrageous that AAA erected a billboard on the highway between Waldo and Starke, northeast of Gainesville. It reads "Speed Trap - Waldo - 6 miles ahead." A similar billboard warns motorists about Lawtey, about 20 miles north of Waldo. In 2002, Waldo issued 6,539 tickets, and Lawtey issued 5,257. These are the only two towns in the United States specifically designated by AAA as "traffic traps." Do they need to add a third?
My husband and I think laws should be fairly enforced. However, we don't believe unsuspecting motorists driving slowly past a deserted school with no lights, cones or crossing guards should be punished with a $235 fine.
With a bad taste in our mouths, we headed home and drove at a snail's pace through town. The last thing we saw was a police car stopping a slow-driving motorist.
Perhaps Cedar Key's sign at the entrance should read ... "Welcome to Waldo."
-Miriam Hill is a freelance writer who lives in Clearwater.
