Speeding

Guns.com Vault
Gather App
CA has 2 speedlaws - Basic and Maximum. Maximum states it's illegal to drive faster than 65 mph unless otherwise posted (some areas are 70). The Basic speed law says it's illegal to drive at a speed which is unsafe for current conditions. Limits are posted for average conditions. When it's clear/dry/light traffic you can drive at a faster safe speed than you can on a rainy night. When I worked at the cop shop the city rule of thumb was 1-5 over could stop could cite - 6-10 over should stop could cite - 11-15 should stop should cite - 16+ must...
In other words you could get away with 45-50 in a 35 zone when you are the only one around - or you could get a ticket for 30 mph on the same stretch if it's rainy with people/cars around.
 
Looked at your bio says Mt.and Wy. I was a small town cop in 3 town over 20 yrs there. I would point out a few things about small town MT. Most of our school zones said when people present. Otherwise 25 mph unmarked residential applies. Most MT cops give you 10 over before they even pull you over. In summer police don't patrol school zones much. Blocking someone is way more dangerous than letting them get by quickly. I'm hoping when you blocked them you just mean you slowed down in your lane. If you actually pulled in front of them and crossed the line you committed a far more serious violation than they did.
 
The roads I drive on in Illinois have the same speed limit for both the right and left lanes. There are times when I drive the speed limit in the left lane. Ex. In a block or two I am going to turn left. The right lane is full of potholes. I know where the right lanes are going to come to an almost complete stop ahead and can anticipate not wanting to be caught in the right lane. But whatever reason I drive in the left lane, if I am going the speed limit I am not breaking any laws, it is not impedeing traffic. And I am not obligated to get out of some jug head's way just so he can go as fast as he wants because he left home too late to make it to work on time. If you want to go around me, that is your God given right so have at it. If the rest of the traffic is driving over the speed limit, that does not mean it is legal. Cop told me one time when I got picked up for speeding while going with the flow and used that logic, "I can't pick up everyone sir".
And for what its worth, don't ever admit to any traffic violation, if you do don't be surprised or upset at the consequences. 1 mile over speed limit is breaking the law. Lesson learned the hard way many years ago. Fortunately for us, the paperwork (and the hazard of getting out of the squad car in traffic) involved in writing 1 mile over tickets is not worth the cops' efforts.
 
Whenever someone is obnoxiously riding my bumper, I just give them a brake check and drive slower and slower until they either back off or pass...Sometimes, people have a legitimate reason for being in a hurry...We all have. BUT, most of the time they're just being an impatient A-Hole.
 
gjgalligan said:
Problem is everybody's "judgerment of what's safe" varies so much it causes the problem.
If everybody traveled the posted speed limit it would cause far less peoblems.
Click to expand...
Can't/won't argue with your point.
I guess what I would make clear is lack of attention while driving causes way more accidents
and issues for other road users than some one travelling above the posted limits in light
traffic and good conditions. Some focus, situational awareness, and consideration to what other
drivers are trying to do would go a lot further than mindlessly adhering to an arbitrary number
stuck to a sign.
Also what you're driving has a big impact on how you drive. My Jeep Wrangler or older Plymouth
demand more consideration of what's "safe" than say the 928 Porsche. On an interstate regardless of
traffic the Jeep seldom sees more than 80-83 mph due to handling dynamics. The 928...well...
As for interstates, if the faster lanes are moving at 85-90 mph and you want to run 70 than
stay in the left lane.
I basically try to "go with the flow" or a bit quicker if I can do it without "leaving a wake", maybe
call it quickly invisible. Try not to irritate others and avoid attention from the cops.
 
Texas doesn't put up with any of that left lane bandit BS. Ticket!

I remember seeing signs in WA that you're to pull over if you have 5 vehicles behind you. I take it that it means even if you're that a-hole who believes he can impede traffic by doing the posted speed limit. It may be Statewide, or maybe only in the more rural areas. Residents can shed more light on this.
 
Cholo said:
Texas doesn't put up with any of that left lane bandit BS. Ticket!

I remember seeing signs in WA that you're to pull over if you have 5 vehicles behind you. I take it that it means even if you're that a-hole who believes he can impede traffic by doing the posted speed limit. It may be Statewide, or maybe only in the more rural areas. Residents can shed more light on this.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure that is an interstate law and is the law on any interstate highway in the US.
 
RSIno1 said:
CA has 2 speedlaws - Basic and Maximum. Maximum states it's illegal to drive faster than 65 mph unless otherwise posted (some areas are 70). The Basic speed law says it's illegal to drive at a speed which is unsafe for current conditions. Limits are posted for average conditions. When it's clear/dry/light traffic you can drive at a faster safe speed than you can on a rainy night. When I worked at the cop shop the city rule of thumb was 1-5 over could stop could cite - 6-10 over should stop could cite - 11-15 should stop should cite - 16+ must...
In other words you could get away with 45-50 in a 35 zone when you are the only one around - or you could get a ticket for 30 mph on the same stretch if it's rainy with people/cars around.
Click to expand...
the rule of thumb is a decent rule in most cases but a "Ricky red light" type cop with a thumb the size of his swollen ego can be a problem and should be removed from his job.
 
Interstate I-95 is right around the corner from me and I use it often. It has a 65 MPH speed limit. If you are traveling 65 mph I can assure you that you are the only one. 73 seems to be a good 'cruise control' speed in the right or center lane. The State Troopers don't even look at you if you are going under 75. Some time back I had dropped my wife off at BWI and was heading back home on 95. I decided to see just how fast I had to travel with traffic. In some areas 85 was the norm. I said screw this and drove in the far right lane ... at 73 on cruise.
 
Kevin said:
We lived in New Jersey before Texas. The part of Jersey where we lived people drove very nice and respectfully towards other drivers.

When we moved to Texas, I drove like always and so many people got so mad at me. I just drove the speed limit and people would pull around in front of me and slam on their brakes.

Finally I caught on and if i dove just a little bit faster nobody cared.

Now I drive just about as fast as possible and still get passed by police driving even faster. And still nobody cares and nobody gets mad at my driving.
Click to expand...
Lot's of ground to cover in TX......don't dally!
 
Yesterday I I was in the left lane of the highway because I was getting ready to turn into the subdivision I live in. In the single lane coming my way was a long string of motorcycles riding side by side. Pretty cool. Then I noticed one group had 3 side by side and he was heading my way in the same l was in. Time was short, I didn’t even have time to see if someone was coming up on me in the right lane. I hugged the center line as best as I could, I have to imagine the guy headed toward me had to have a pretty intense butt pucker going on, but things happen and you have to be prepared for them.
 
No.

Now the rest after I answered the question.

I go 5 over, 10 sometimes on the long country Interstate.

I do not pass when unsafe.

I abhor tailgaters. I move over or PITT them (not really).
 
kmoore said:
Well Jack, regarding post #17, you can try to justify blocking or holding up traffic anyway you want. I don't believe for a New York second there was not a shoulder, parking lot, driveway, a side street you could have pulled over onto. It's funny you said cops don't do their jobs, but when the other driver called them. They contacted you. Maybe, just maybe if you hadn't pulled that stupid move. They could have spent that time out on the road. Maybe, just maybe stopping someone who was tailgating. Instead of spending it finding and talking to you.
Click to expand...
Whatever helps you sleep at nite.
 
kmoore said:
Well Jack, regarding post #17, you can try to justify blocking or holding up traffic anyway you want. I don't believe for a New York second there was not a shoulder, parking lot, driveway, a side street you could have pulled over onto. It's funny you said cops don't do their jobs, but when the other driver called them. They contacted you. Maybe, just maybe if you hadn't pulled that stupid move. They could have spent that time out on the road. Maybe, just maybe stopping someone who was tailgating. Instead of spending it finding and talking to you.
Click to expand...
So in your view, driving the speed limit is holding up traffic? Really?

Im sure they called me on their donut break.
 
Hopefully the Keyboard Karens have moved on and we can get back to my original question:


Is your town this crazy with speeders?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Cholo
Speeding crackdown to start Monday 7/13 in AL, SC, TN, GA, and FL
Replies
26
Views
729
willk
W
Wyandot Jim
Texas Speed Limits
Replies
27
Views
641
el caminero
el caminero
JackBull
Speed Limit Signs Missing
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
peachhead
peachhead
hittman
Gods Speed Hot Lips ~ R I P
Replies
17
Views
633
protoolman
protoolman
xTopGun
Patti Labelli sang her version of "The Star - Spangle Banner"
Replies
4
Views
200
gunzo
gunzo

Latest posts

Back
Top