Saturday, May 18, 2013

Latest local news, weather, high school sports in the Rio Grande Valley

Streets of Speed - Holiday zapping nets ex-cop and Mercedes ISD worker
Posted: 12.20.2011 at 11:25 PM
Ryan Wolf

Ryan Wolf is an anchor and reporter for Action 4 News.

0
Slideshow
Photo:

It was supposed to be a display of high fives and handshakes as the Speedzapper set out to showcase all of the good little boy and girl drivers.

But instead of thanking drivers outside Mercedes High School just before the holidays, there was plenty of zapping as a school parent, retired Mercedes police officer and a Mercedes ISD worker were busted on radar for speeding.

Speedzapper: "What do you think Santa would say?"

Anita: "I've been naughty."

Speedzapper: "You're speeding in a school zone and you work the district?"

Luis: "I thought I was going 20."

Speedzapper: "What does it say?"

Luis: "33."

Speedzapper: "My mission was to thank drivers for going the speed limit... Would you know that most of them are not going the speed limit?"

Raul: "Myself included... How fast was I going?"

Speedzapper: "28."

Experts attribute a spike in speeds ahead of the holidays to distracted driving.

The Speedzapper catches speeds in the low, mid and upper 30's on radar.

One driver is busted more than double the 20 mph school zone limit. 

They're speeds that put students at risk, according to retired Mercedes police officer Raul Barrera who was also zapped.

"I back you up a hundred percent... Cause I think you're doing good for the community and hopefully people will see you and drive slower," he said.

Speedzapper: "Do you think I'll be thanking anybody today?"

Raul: "I doubt it... But I wish you luck."

Perhaps his luck helped out.

The radar on one of the very next drivers locked in on 12 miles per hour.

Who's behind this Streets of Speed Christmas miracle?

It turns out to be the Anita, the school parent zapped earlier in the afternoon.

She returned in hopes of getting back on the good girl's driving list.

Speedzapper: "Did you do that on purpose or what?"

Anita: "Yes!"

Just when all hope is lost, it's a Rudolph look-a-like vehicle, with a red nose on the front grill and antlers sticking out of the windows, that helps to bring a happy ending.

Speedzapper: "Look at your speed... 20... I've got to thank you."

Luis Moreno: "You're welcome."

Speedzapper: "Thank you for doing what's right... Do you usually obey the speed limit?"

Luis Moreno: "I deliver medication so I've got to follow the rules and all that stuff."

You know what we say to that?

“You’ve been zapped!”

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
Man attacks woman with a cable box
Action 4 News Staff  |  Today at 9:21 AM  |  13 comments
Thumbnail
Continuous sexual assault of girl lands man in jail
Action 4 News Staff  |  Yesterday at 2:42 PM  |  28 comments
Thumbnail
Man sentenced for distributing child porn videos and photos online
Action 4 News Staff  |  Yesterday at 5:24 PM  |  10 comments
Follow Valley Central
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Food 4 Thought Page
Keep It Clean! Food 4 Thought airs every Wednesday night at 10 pm!
High School Football
High school football season is here.
KGBT on Twitter
Follow Action 4 News on Twitter
Action 4 News Mobile App
Download the Action 4 News mobile app for iPhone or Android.
ADVERTISEMENT