--- title: "How a Vape Store in Ohio Is Trying to Neutralize a Notorious Speed Trap" description: "The Planet of the Vapes smoke shop in Ohio has a billboard that warns drivers of an upcoming speed camera." date: "2023-05-28" modified: "2023-05-28" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/how-a-vape-store-in-ohio-is-trying-to-neutralize-a-notorious-speed-trap" categories: - "News" --- # How a Vape Store in Ohio Is Trying to Neutralize a Notorious Speed Trap ![]() *Photo | Cleveland Magazine* Sometimes heroes come from most unexpected places. The Planet of the Vapes smoke shop has been using its advertising powers for good by using a billboard to warn drivers of a famously tricky [speed camera ]()that's been catching and ticketing countless unsuspecting drivers unaware of an abrupt speed limit change. On West 117th Street in the tiny town of Linndale, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland, there's an overpass near the intersection of Bellaire road. There, the speed limit drops from 35 mph to 25 mph without much warning and there's a speed camera strategically placed to catch people who fail to slow down. Despite the town of Linndale being less than a square mile and having a population of under 400 people, 17,300[ speeding tickets]() were issued in 2022 from that one camera alone. To help people avoid getting busted by the camera, the vape shop put up a billboard on the overpass that reads: "This is a strict 25 MPH Zone: a reminder courtesy of Planet of the Vapes." It also has a giant image of a speed camera, to warn drivers of what's ahead. https://twitter.com/ClevelandMag/status/1656298051873517570 According to *[Cleveland Magazine]()*, Kari Pearson, regional director of sales and marketing for Planet of the Vapes, said the billboard does two things: it advertises for the business and helps provide a service. Pearson also said that customers have thanked the shop for its billboard, as it saved them from getting ticketed. However, the town of Linndale reportedly isn't happy about the billboard. According to Pearson, someone from the town called and asked Planet of the Vapes to take the billboard down. That isn't going to happen anytime soon, though. "We’re not going to allow somebody to bully us into taking that down, just because a city isn’t profiting anymore off the camera there,” said Pearson. Planet of the Vapes isn't the hero we deserve, but the hero we need right now. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()