I have a question about speed limit?

Question

my wife is a very slow driver and i am the whole opposite so i dont really know the answer because i drive fast all the time. But when your on a freeway, how many miles over the speed limit can you drive. My wife says its 5 mph, but you can drive 5mph over the speed limit on a regular street or road, so why wouldn't it be more on the freeway, since cars are moving alot faster

Answer 1

My dad is a police officer and he always taught me that speed limits are guidelines. This means you can drive five under or five over the speed limit.

Drive with a police officer sometime. I grew up with many officers in the family and many "uncles" that were fellow officers to my dad. They don't hit the brakes once they hit the speed limit, they change their speed depending on the environment. If everyone around you is driving 45mph then driving 40mph isn't going to work.

I think it all depends on the environment. If everyone is going 75mph or 80mph on the highway then it is best to drive that same speed limit. However, if it's raining or snowing out then driving 50mph or 55mph might be a better idea.

Answer 2

By law, there is no grace.  It's a speed LIMIT and if you exceed it you are subject to citation.

In practicality, however, most officers will allow about a 20% fluff provided you are moving with the flow and not weaving

Answer 3

Always try to go with the flow of traffic.  If you have cars that are going fast and some that are going slow, just pick an average speed between the fastest and average car.  Don't try to be the fastes on the highway because you will easily be picked out by a state trooper.

Answer 4

You can drive at any speed over the speed limit. This is just a guide. However one the occasion that you are a few mph over you can be sure a policeman will be ready. Driving at high speeds over the limit do not attract the police attention. Seems strange but true. Look around you. Drive just below the speed limit. Watch as a hundred cars fly past. No police ,nothing. Drive a few mph over. Five police cars will appear. !

Answer 5

Technically, you can't even go 1 mph over the speed limit without getting a ticket.  However, most police departments allow 5-10 mph over the limit as  a matter of policy.  Also, they prefer to target the worst offenders, so if there are people driving at 85, they aren't likely to pull over someone doing 75.  But legally, the limit is the absolute limit.

Answer 6

The speed limit is enforceable at the level indicated. In the real world however, police usually give you a little leeway (5 mph) to cover incorrect readings, wind, etc.

Your best bet is to run with the traffic and avoid weaving in and out. Try to stay right.

Answer 7

Yeah - anything over the posted speed limit is illegal.  

However - from what I hear, it is generally "safer" to go with the flow of traffic.

Answer 8

The limit is just that, the limit, no more....It drives me crazy that people think the passing lane is for going faster then the limit. You should drive anywhere from the minium posted to the limit in the right lane and go the limit when you are in the left lane passing people who are going slower then the limit. The only time it is okay for regular folk to go faster then the limit is when there is lots of traffic and you are keeping up with the flow of traffic. If you are going the limit and the car in front of you is going the limit you should not pass them.

Answer 9

The reason for the fluff factor is that there is a variation is speedometers. So maybe an officer will allow 10%. If you assume that he will give you 10% and your speed is already over by 10%, you will get a ticket from that officer. Yes you thought that you were doing 60 in a 55, but you were doing 63.5.

Go with the flow is good advice. I used to drive just fast enough that some one else would pass me, but fast enough to pass most.

But the basic speed law will get more of us then will admitt it- You must drive no faster then is safe.

If an officer pulls that one on you it does not matter how little (if any) you are over what he thought was safe.

Also there are places that some localities have a "Zero Tolorance" policy. Like school zones and construction zones.

In short to presume upon any ones generostity will get you into trouble, when it is a Cop, the result is a fine and court costs at least.

Answer 10

I honestly think it depends on the cop.  I have heard of people getting tickets for going 1 mile over the limit and then others get a warning for going 10 over.  Maybe it depends on how big your b***s are, lol.

Answer 11

Nah, there is no hard number like 5 mph.  It just seems that way because, if "everybody" is speeding, the cops tend to pick whoever is speeding most conspicuously, and that's usually not the guy going 5 over.  

But it CAN be.  If everyone's going the limit and you're EITHER going 5 over, or driving like an *** ("conspicuously"), they're gonna pick you.

So look around. Can you spot the guy most likely to get a ticket?  If you can't... better watch out, he might be you...

Answer 12

Drive the limit.  But understand there is some fluff for error.  Each officer has their own range and it varies with their mood.  I've heard 5 -15 over on the HWY.  But  5 over on a 25 is fast in proportion.  School zones - lock it at the limit or below.

Answer 13

When driving on the Freeway, you drive according to the flow of traffic.  The speed limit is based on that.

Well, whatever speed you or your wife is driving, just remember - SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT, so if someone is on your tail, and/or cars are driving past you on the right, then you need to move over a lane to the right.  THIS IS JUST COMMON COURTESY

Answer 14

If you go _any_ mph over the speed limit, it is illegal.

LIMIT..look it up.

Answer 15

Ask a local police officer and you will get the right answer.  Here, police allow up to 10mph over in the city and up to 15mph on the highways.  Now, if you are weaving in and out of traffic, or cutting off others...forget about any allowance.

If the police are running a sting operation to keep a part of the road safe...you can forget about much allowance.

Better gas mileage for those who follow the speed limits.

I have medal foot...and I have paid a lot of money for speeding tickets...increased insurance premiums...embarrassing interviews.  I would respect the speed limits as much as possible.  Forget about most radar detectors...laser is instant!  I try to flow with the traffic around me, but I don't like being the leader of the pack at high speeds.  

Also, I drive a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor...it's white, unmarked with a Unity spotlight on the driver side pillar.  The police think that I am an undercover patrol car...nice!