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Speedtraps Around Northern Vermont

If you're driving around Vermont then you might want to take some time to actually read and comply with what the traffic signs suggest. Gee, what a concept! After living in Connecticut for a year, I realize that driving is a whole lot different up north than in the flatlands. Vermont's population is sparse and that means it's a whole lot easier for the police to enforce the laws...and they do!

In areas with a large population it is very easy to disregard highway laws and the odds of getting caught are much lower. If you feel that you're being singled out for a ticket based on your out-of-state plates, (as commented below), that's not true. The odds of getting caught (for EVERYONE) are to the Vermont officer's advantage.

As a Vermonter driving around in CT, I soon found that I had to learn to drive "city style". Full stops at signs, allowing people to cross the road, etc. prompt the impatient honking of horns and angry shouts. Unfortunately, that's just the way it is. Period. If you want to get on or off the highway, you'd better put the "pedal to the metal" or you won't get in. If you try to drive "Vermont style" in southern New England, you'd better wise up fast or stay home. Car insurance rates in Connecticut are double what you'd pay in Vermont. Easy to see why!

The bottom line is if you're playing in someone else's home field, you're going to have to adhere to their rules.
December 13, 2002 "Survivor Flatland" update: It finally happened! My first accident in CT. After many years of safe driving in Vermont, it only took less than one year to get hit down here. The other driver decided to change lanes without looking and struck my car. His excuse, "uh...I forgot to look". It's a jungle down here. This is one place you'd be glad to get voted off!

Advice for those who are visiting our state:

• Stop signs mean "stop". If you roll right through an intersection, most likely you will get a ticket.

• Yes, we do stop at crosswalks. Seriously. Sometimes, we also stop and let pedestrians cross the road at other points. Slow down and stop tailgating. If you honk your horn because you can't wait, maybe you shouldn't be here.

• Speaking of tailgating, don't even think of it! Vermont is a beautiful place and many of us love to go for stress-free rides in the country, at the posted speed limit. If 40 mph means 70 mph to you, then take out your Nascar ambitions on the interstate highways. State Troopers will be glad to help with the red flag.

• Merging onto a highway. Highway ramps and exits are made for those purposes. Please do not race others and attempt to block their safe entry or exit to the highway.

• Life in the fast lane. You're not in the city anymore! On Vermont interstate highways, we call these "passing lanes". Please don't linger there for the sake of being a road hog.

The info & comments below are from http://www.speedtrap.org