Speedtraps?

A study of municipal budgets shows at least 18 Oklahoma communities get more than a quarter of their revenues from traffic fines. <br><br>The study from the Sunday Oklahoman shows Hardesty in the Panhandle

Sunday, December 29th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A study of municipal budgets shows at least 18 Oklahoma communities get more than a quarter of their revenues from traffic fines.

The study from the Sunday Oklahoman shows Hardesty in the Panhandle gets $130,000-- or 73% of its income -- from writing tickets. Stringtown in southeastern Oklahoma makes 72 percent of its operating money -- or more than $345,000 -- from fines.

Stringtown Police Chief Ron Marley says he doesn't understand how people can call his town a speed trap. Marley says the limits are posted on huge signs and officers don't write tickets unless the motorists are driving more than ten miles per hour over the limit.