The first time you saw this sign, you were probably pretty impressed. Then you pictured being pulled over by a police plane forcing you to the side of the road. Or possibly a police helicopter, because those things actually exist. Over time, you also came to think that they might be dummy signs, just to make people look at their speedometer and slow down. That actually made more sense than anything else.
But aerial speed enforcement is a real thing. It started in California in the 1980s, and spread to other parts of the country. The planes (or helicopters) wouldn't pull you over, but they would report to cruisers that would. The system is expensive, and when a jurisdiction stopped using it, the signs would remain, thrilling kids and getting Mom or Dad to check their speed. But you can't count on that being the case, since this system is still used here or there. Read about the speed police in aircraft at Jalopnik.
(Image credit: Thatsabigif)
