Speed Trap Labeling Bill Dies In La. House

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana  won't have any officially labeled "speed traps."

Rep. Steve Pylant's effort to brand tiny towns that get more than half their annual income from speeding tickets with the moniker has failed to get the backing of the state House.

Even after a list of changes, Pylant could only get 47 votes for the bill Tuesday, six votes short of what was needed for passage.

The issue had become a contentious one for House members.

Pylant, a former Franklin Parish sheriff, said more than a dozen towns in Louisiana were using excessive enforcement of speed limits to drum up cash. He said law enforcement should be about public safety, not generating revenue.

Opponents argued that people should obey the speed limit and the towns shouldn't be penalized for law enforcement.

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