Jurisdiction

Causeway Bridge, Louisiana

Speed Trap Location

Causeway Bridge

Nearest Reference Point

n/a

GPS Coordinates

n/a

Time of Day

Any time of day

Level of Enforcement

High

Type of Enforcement

Radar, Vascar, Airplane

Date

7/2003

When traveling on the bridge police use muli-directional ka band radars at the crossovers to enforce a 55mph speed limit and when exiting the bridge on the south from 55mph to 35mph and on the north from 55mph to 45mph they also enforce at the south toll plaza a strict 20mph from 35mph northbound. watch the sky for airplanes and officers on the platforms in the lake with speed laser guns when you see them it is already to late.

Comment (10/2003): During rush hour, there is very little enforcement, people do about 65 to 75 bumper to bumper. But other times of day, don't exceed 65. Bad reports here, too, of officers tailgating people in late model or beat-up looking cars, and pushing them over the limit then flipping on the lights.

Comment (5/2004): I agree with has been said about this trap. During rush hour times, speed is not checked as much as in off hours. Lots of people travel south to the New Orleans area everyday and when traffice going home (south to north) is very bad and heavy (as it usually is) they sometimes stop and have a drink to pass the time until later when traffic lightens up. This where to be especially careful as the Causeway Police are pricks....giving DWI's in a heartbeat. So be careful.

Comment (6/2004): Who are you people? Officers on platforms? Airplanes? Have you ever driven on this bridge? I drive it M-F plus one weekend day each week. There are no planes or platforms. While he official limit is 55, you can pass a Causeway cop right at 70 and he won't flich. As for heavy traffic and people stopping to have a drink - nonsense - once you pass W. Esplanade there is slight congestion to get on the bridge (three lanes on land become two on the bridge) you can easily get up to cruising speed by mile marker one. The only traffic on the bridge is a result of accident, breakdown or fog, all fairly rare.

Comment (5/2004): After speaking to a few causeway cops over the years I have found that the "Un-official" speed limit on the bridge is 68 MPH at or underwich you will not likely get a ticket. This is not to say you can't. For instance I do suggest slowing before crossovers. on the other hand, I have never heard of a 65 MPH ticket. Go 70+ and you are toast. I recently heard conjecture that they were going to "time" toll tag commuters across the bridge electronically and mailing the ticket to your home. I have seen airplanes regularly putt-putting very low, close to the brige. Do posted speed exiting or entering the brige these guys are serious about safety because the brige has no shoulder. Their responSe time to incidents is under 4 minutes average. Usually professional behavior of late. I made sure of that after being "cussed out" by a causeway cop on an admittedly guilty stop before. Third grade name taking is one thing. Cursing out motorists and threatening bodily harm causes this motorist to get even. They were recently investigated and routed. I have not seen again the officer in question. My recommendation went like this,"I don't think the guy should be a cop". Well, I guess he got "busted". Some people are just dying to control you. This may be a pathology.

Comment (5/2004): understood cutoff is 64, over that and they will stop you. They will drive unmarked cars, come up on you weaving between lanes, tailgate. When you accelerate to move out of the way they will hit the lights and pull you over. That bridge needs to be turned over to LSP.

Comment (6/2004): Being the spouse of a Causeway Police Officer, the going rule was not to ticket anyone travelling 65mph and under. It was up to the officers discretion up to 70. Over 70 and the driver was going to get a ticket either from the officer that clocked the driver or the unit sitting at the next crossover. They have never used airplanes or unmarkeds. I don't recommend slowing down at the crossovers because by the time you see them at the crossovers its too late not too mention slowing down before the crossovers will just cause traffic to slow and back up.

Comment (8/2004): I've been commuting for seven years now. I have never seen planes, or un-marked cars. I assume the other writer means Crossover, as he said platforms. From what I have experienced, (three speeding tickets, two on the bridge in the off hours, one at the southshore 35mph), Usually the single car at the southshore is not manned but you never know. Other than myself I have seen only one other person get pulled over there. The acceptable speed during the rush hour is 70 but 71 will get you a pit stop. However, off hours acceptable speeds will depend on a number of things such as a new CP officer making his bones. What gets my goat is I am a safe driver and do not tailgate at any speed much less 70+mph, which they do not inforce. Try driving 55-60 mph during rush hour and watch how friendly the other dirvers are when they pass you. I predict, as I have been for some time now that a major pileup will occur on this bridge. These folks are driving within five feet of each other going 70-75 mph in block long groups, and the CP just sit there chatting with each other in the crossover. I have also followed drunks on two occasions, while on the phone with the CP and they were not able or did not even try to find them. So it seems to me that Revenue Generation is more important to them than safety. And don't forget to wave to that dummy sitting in the toll booth on the south shore. I guess (hope) he's looking for drunks or something.

Comment (10/2004): I got pulled over going 61mph.Now the official speed limit is 65 during the day and 55 at night.

Comment (11/2004): As far as traveling the Causeway, alway be prepared to slow down at any hump, hill, etc before the crossovers, found 61mph & under is not a problem heading south before, but now it is 55 mph before sunlight southbound, so beware.