Speeding

Speeding is one law you must be aware of from the time you start your vehicle to the time you turn off the ignition. Earlier, you learned that much thought goes into setting speed limits. The numbers are not just picked out of a hat. Speed kills, especially higher speeds. The faster you go, the less time you have to react; this is especially important when unexpected hazards require an immediate response. Crash injuries tend to be more serious, if not fatal. Debris from crashes gets thrown farther away from the crash site, so now innocent bystanders are in danger. Combine higher speeds with poor visibility and bad weather conditions and you have a recipe for serious collisions. 

 

Speed limits are not suggestions. Posted limits are the maximum speed at which you should operate your vehicle during the best conditions.  It is up to all drivers, not just good defensive drivers, to determine when to adjust their speeds to the current driving conditions. More often than not, you will adjust your speed downward. Always remember that you should operate at a speed reasonable for the current weather and road conditions. Sometimes, you may hear that it is OK to exceed the speed limit by a few, even 5 mph. After all, radar devices aren’t perfect. What is the best rule of thumb? Don’t guess how fast is too fast. Assume that any speed over a posted limit is enough to get you pulled over and cited for speeding.

Consider these other important facts about speed and speeding:

  • If you are cited for driving at between 1 and 25 mph over the speed limit, your driving record will be assessed 2 points. 
  • If you are cited for exceeding the speed limit by 26 mph or more, your record will be assessed 5 points. 
  • There is such a thing as driving too slowly. Slow drivers actually cause accidents. Obey minimum posted speeds as well as maximums. Other than for mechanical trouble, if you cannot maintain a minimum posted speed on a certain road, consider changing your route.
  • If there is no posted speed limit in a city area, travel at 30mph.
  • On unpaved roads with no posted speed limit, do not exceed 35 mph.
  • You can operate at 45 mph on county paved roads if not speed limit is posted.
  • In other areas, such as interstates, and 2, 3, or 4 lane highways, expect to see speed limits of between 55 and 70 mph. You must also keep with the flow of traffic when on these major roads.