Question for those that have travelled US 19 lately

[Mickey&JoshNut]

I'm going to be driving to Florida in less than two weeks and this information was included with my Trip Tik from CAA:

Dear Member

US 19 in West Virginia - Some information for you to consider; we've directed you through Charleston WV, along the toll portion of the I79/77 route, instead of taking you on US 19.

Presently, the US 19 is not recommended because of excessive speed enforcement in the area of Summersville WV. This route will add about 75 kms of interstate highway to your trip.

CAA Central Ontario recommends you pay close attention to variances in the posted speed limit, especially in the area of Summerville WV, if you do decide to use the US 19 route. CAA encourages you to drive safely and responsibly by observing speed limits and other traffic safety laws.

I have also heard that the police/state troopers target "foreign" (i.e. Canadian) vehicles for speeding etc.

Has anyone travelled the US 19 lately and was it really that bad. The route CAA is recommending seems to take us out of the way and we are trying to get to Florida as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance

 

[lisaviolet]

I always take that route. Even going the speed limit it cuts off some time. I got the warning the first time from CAA as well. I will take it in about a week. Last time? About two years ago.

I don't think they target foreign license plates. I'm laughing. I just think that some people, Ontario plates to be exact, are the biggest speed demons!!!!!

I've travelled it at least four times and we've never been pulled over. Because of the CAA warning we watch our speed.

You know who they are going to get as they speed past you.

Hopefully, I'm not naive but I think they pull over those who speed period.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

I have also heard that the police/state troopers target "foreign" (i.e. Canadian) vehicles for speeding etc.

I don't think they target foreign license plates. I'm laughing. I just think that some people, Ontario plates to be exact, are the biggest speed demons!!!!!

What I meant is that I have heard that if there is the chance of stopping 2 vehicles for speeding and one has a West Virginia plate and the other is an Ontario plate...that they will stop the Canadian.

 

[The House of Mouse]

We take this route everytime we drive. Simple solution, don't speed at all on this portion and they won't have to choose whether to pull you or someone else over. Have seen cars pulled over everytime we have driven through, but not once have we seen Ontario license plates on the vehicles pulled over. US 19 reminds me of an urban legend! I do however use my digital camera to take a picture of the cruise control set under the speed limit, just to hedge my bets. Not sure if it would be admissable in a court of law though!! LOL

 

[lisaviolet]

What I meant is that I have heard that if there is the chance of stopping 2 vehicles for speeding and one has a West Virginia plate and the other is an Ontario plate...that they will stop the Canadian.

I hear you. And I understood. I still don't think they target Canadians in that way. When I said "I was laughing"... I just had a visual of cars that were excessively speeding in the past that I knew would never make it. I remember reading an article given to me by CAA ( I think) years ago along with the warning above......and thinking how is this targeting....if you are speeding you are speeding......that's their right to ticket you. And two...because you really can ride along and see who they are going to nab. And just like the poster above....Ive seen locals, other states stopped too. I just think that "Ontario" plates are some of the biggest speed demons...especially when they are oblivious to how much they cruise the area for speeding vehicles.

We do speed ...just not there.....just in case.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

I can tell you that I've driven that way over 10 times in the last 4 years and maybe once I saw a speed trap.........not kidding! I always go that route.

However, the speed limit does change, so do watch it. Try not to speed on this road, and if you do - keep an eye out for any State Troopers BUT it is much shorter.

I missed the turnoff once - wasn't paying attention - and I swear it added at least 1 hour extra to the drive.

As far as targeting Canadians, I agree with lisavoilet.........I think this is a urban legend........think about it speeding is speeding. A ticket is revenue for the state, no matter where they get it from! I guess it was the writers way of putting a little fear into Canadians when driving in (I'm sorry I can't help this remark.....) the big bad US of A! (insert big tonge in cheek! )

Have a great trip - and if the weather is nice there is a great Scenic overlook about 10 miles or so into the southbound drive on US19. It is on the left and you have to cross the northbound lanes. We stop there for a stretch every trip!

Happy driving!

 

[Mortlives]

We've also started doing the US19, and haven't had a problem so far. Of course, we also watch the speed very carefully through here. I let DH drive because, while he will do speeds I won't on purpose :, I tend to find the speed creeps up on me.

 

[iluveeyore]

We drove home that way four years ago, and guess what? My DH was asleep as it was past midnight, and I had just come off the Interstate (79 I think) onto US19 and was looking for a speed limit sign while driving downhill, and I got pulled over by a trooper about half a mile from the on-ramp - apparently I was going 13 miles an hour over the speed limit, and when I tried to tell him I hadn't seen a speed limit posted yet as I had just came off the Interstate, he wouldn't listen to me! It was Boxing Day, and he gave me a ticket for $110 US and said I could attend court the next week if I didn't agree with it, and he knew I was from Ontario! Needless to say, I cried most of the way home, because who has money after a Christmas trip to Disney? But my DS (10) and DS(8) and DD (5) thought it was so cool to wake up to blue flashing lights and see mommy talking to a trooper!!!
The moral of this story - know the speed limit or go slow until you do!!

 

[mc'smommy]

We drove home that way four years ago, and guess what? My DH was asleep as it was past midnight, and I had just come off the Interstate (79 I think) onto US19 and was looking for a speed limit sign while driving downhill, and I got pulled over by a trooper about half a mile from the on-ramp - apparently I was going 13 miles an hour over the speed limit, and when I tried to tell him I hadn't seen a speed limit posted yet as I had just came off the Interstate, he wouldn't listen to me! It was Boxing Day, and he gave me a ticket for $110 US and said I could attend court the next week if I didn't agree with it, and he knew I was from Ontario! Needless to say, I cried most of the way home, because who has money after a Christmas trip to Disney? But my DS (10) and DS(8) and DD (5) thought it was so cool to wake up to blue flashing lights and see mommy talking to a trooper!!!
The moral of this story - know the speed limit or go slow until you do!!

I like your moral of the story,
why would you drive extra just to avoid speeding,
slow down save a life, perhaps your own...
do the speed limit and enjoy the ride.

 

[Ham Ham]

Have used US 19 in WV dozens of times over the past 15 years. I stay just under posted limit and have never met the local law enforcement. Summersville is where you really need to respect local limits.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05324/608879.stm

Stop at the New River Bridge Visitors Center, north of bridge east side.
Great Museum.

http://www.nps.gov/neri/bridge.htm

However avoid this route on "Bridge Day'. One day a year folks are allowed to jump (parachute, bungee, etc) off the bridge.

http://www.wvbridgeday.com/

 

[tmli]

This is a warning printed on every triptik...including from AAA themselves for anyone travelling in this area.

There have literally been tens of thousands of tickets received by CAA/AAA members in that area. The issue is not following the speed limit it is unfair policing of that limit. The limit changes irregularily (sp)....most people have recorded receiving tickets within feet of the sign showing the limit has dropped. Apparently there are a couple of places you get on from where you can't see a sign for a couple of miles (no sign posted as soon as you enter highway)...they set up "traps" in those areas. There has also been at least one case of someone deciding to go thru the area excessively slow to avoid speed traps but got a ticket for going to slow on a highway!!!

I don't know about targeting canadians...but I am sure given the choice the Ontario car would be pulled over before a state vehicle....chances are they won;t be able to come back to court next week to fight the charge, thus resulting in less reversals.

 

[Csaks]

Could it be that most of us are use to going anywhere between 100 to 120 kmh up here which is around 65 to 75 mph. Doing 55 just seems so slow. Going to my uncle's in Boston a few years ago, I had to set the cruise because I kept creeping up to 75mph plus without realizing it.

Chris.

 

[Mortlives]

Can anyone post what the speed limit is just coming off the highway?

Please and thank you.

 

[Disneyof3]

I just got our triptik and they don't even have us going through US19. How much quicker is it to go this way? I'll be going through this area in the middle of the night.

 

[cslittle999]

It saves close to an hour instead of driving through Charleston even following the speed limit. US 19 does have a number of traffic lights on it. If your DD's are light sleepers you might want to stay on the interstate.