American Notes Speeding Smile: Here's Your Ticket

Parked on the shoulder of Interstate 45 between Houston and the Galveston beaches, the white GMC Blazer appears to be a disabled car, until beach-bound speeders approach. Then they're captured -- in a flash. A combination cameraradar-computer unit snaps the car's license number and the driver's frequently startled face, as well as the date, time, speed and location. Since May, some 1,200 drivers have been nailed by the high-tech Doppler radar system.The film is developed, the license plate number matched to the car owner, and then the offenders are notified by mail. Only clearly photographed drivers are fined.