by Kelly Moran
for 6 September 1995
When I was a kid, there were certain little towns in East Texas where Dad would slow way down. He made it a point to watch his speed through the towns that had a reputation. Some towns reputedly considered the highway through their city limits to be a major source of income. At least it seemed that way.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) used to even designate some towns as "traffic traps." They would notify all their members that the local sheriff had a steady stream of income from the speeders on the highway. The last time AAA designated a town as a "traffic trap" was 1988.
Until last week. Last week, three Florida towns got the "traffic trap" handle. "In the case of these three towns, it appears that revenue generation is the motive for writing tickets, not traffic safety or accident prevention," Auto Club South spokesman Kevin W. Bakewell said.
The three towns, in case you'll be traveling through Florida, are Hampton, Lawtey, and Waldo.
In Hampton, population 260, police issued 294 tickets in the 122 days from April through July. Night Marshal Bill Tillotson said that he'd welcome the designation. "We'd like to have the reputation of being a speed trap," he said. "Our aim is to slow people down."
Lawtey Mayor Marvin Rosier also supports his town's approach. "Triple A can tell us anything they want to," he said. "We are a law enforcement city." In the same 122 days, Lawtey issued 2,460 citations!
In Waldo, City Manager Lee Vincent said speeders aren't ticketed unless they are exceeding the 30-mph speed limit by 11 mph. For the same 122 days, Waldo issued 2,092 traffic citations. "I don't think Waldo is a speed trap," Vincent said.
Lawtey could collect about $369,000, or 73 percent of its budget. In Waldo, revenue projections of $313,000 represent 41 percent of its budget. Hampton can expect to bring in about $44,100, or 59 percent of its budget.
The purpose of the Christian men spending time together is to keep them accountable and to provide support and prayer for struggles. It works as a sort of Christian speed trap.
God knows we need it.
Heading through life with the foot just a little heavy on the pedal, and soon you're out of control. Not just in pace of life, but in the pace of life toward sin. Wouldn't it be great to have a sin trap?
Being accountable to someone simply means that you will allow someone to ask some pointed questions. The very fact that you know they're going to ask is like the reputation of a traffic trap. "Our aim is to slow people down."
Of course, accountability could be abused, just as a badge can. But the fact remains: having someone ask about your Spiritual life makes you pay attention to your speed.
It's a biblical concept, as Paul demonstrates at the end of his letter to the ancient church in Ephesus. "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." (Ephesians 5:11)
Expose the darkness! And then he concludes the paragraph: "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Ephesians 5:21)
Do you need to conquer the darkness in your life? God's solution is found in a relationship with other Christians. You aren't supposed to fight alone.
God, bring Spiritual guidance to my life.
Published weekly for 3 years, 49 weeks.
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All Scripture references are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (unless otherwise noted).
Copyright 1995 by Kelly Moran.