In a lot of areas I go through regularly they’re way more likely to light you up if they see you brake hard when you see them posted up than if you just cruise past them at a reasonable speed even if it’s technically over the limit.

Good.

That’s my biggest problem with speed traps. People see them and immediately hit their brakes, regardless of which lane they’re in or how fast they are going.

That is far, far, far more dangerous. The absolute most important rule of driving, IMO, is one that is never taught and never thought about: be predictable. The most dangerous driver isnt the one that’s just speeding. It’s the one driving erratically.

If everyone is driving properly, the only reason you should see brake lights in the passing lane is when there’s gridlock or stop and go traffic.