[silverdog]

Where in the world do you get the idea that the cops keep the money? If traffic enforcement were done on a piece-work or commission basis, no one would be able to drive 3 blocks without getting stopped for some petty violation. In reality, bosses regard a cop who writes ONE ticket a DAY as a "good" performer.

[Skooz]

The money goes to the city coffers. That is my point.

The more speeders who speed and are caught, the more money the city rakes in.

[subterfuge]

Cops have quotas for issuing tickets. Its a well documented fact.

No one said the "keep the money" either.

[GrandEagle]

bosses regard a cop who writes ONE ticket a DAY as a "good" performer.
Doesn't appear to be the case in the city of Mobile, AL.
State and county - probably so but the city guys will try and make you do something to write you a ticket for.
Had one behind us one day (wife was driving) at a light. The light had a red arrow pointing to the right. He was back there blowing his horn and flashing his headlights to try and get her to make the right. She did and he hit the blues and wrote her a ticket for "running" the light.
We got out of it only because a red arrow pointing to the right is undefined (or was at the time) by the law.

Got a couple of other first hand incidents - all with the city guys.