JET4
Member
I will go 5-9 mph over
How Many MPH Over the Speed Limit?
- Thread starter Onomea
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JJEH
Member
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When I was younger I was always 2 points short of loosing my license for speeding. I would take it easy until some points would drop off. I still drive about the same but don't get tickets anymore. Guess I have gotten smarter about it. I drive I 70 a lot and it seems that the default speed is 80. The speed limit is 70 but no one seems to drive that slow except some old dude who seems to be married to the left lane or some trucker passing another truck who is going one MPH slower than he is and taking 3 miles to go around him. Maybe the state is cutting back because I just don't see as many Highway Patrol cars these days as I once did and I drive part of I 70 about twice a week and have been doing so sense about 1967.
A reminder from Junior:
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x_wLVCLPx0M[/ame]
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x_wLVCLPx0M[/ame]
crstrode
Member
If it was not illegal to throw bricks through windshields of idiots doing 40 or 50 or more on the 25MPH residential street in front of my house, the world would be a safer place.
(Except for idiots)
(Except for idiots)
The street in front of my house is Main Street it is also a state highway. The speed limit is 25 but a lot of these nuts drive like they are still on the state highway and go 55 or more. Our town fathers closed down out little police Department a couple of years ago so we get a country sheriff deputy once in awhile but that has no effect on the speeders.
Jon651
Member
For me, I admit to 5 mph over the speed limit but will frequently do 10, except for interstate driving.
If the speed limit is 70 then I will do 72 in my truck, for two reasons:
1. My truck will get between 20-22 MPG when doing between 70-72 MPH, but go over 72 and there must be a switch I haven't found that starts lowering the mileage significantly. I guess that's what I get for owning a vehicle with the same coefficient of drag as a brick.
And...
2. Here in Central Florida, when I am doing 72 in a 70 area I am still going about 15-17 MPH FASTER than most of the codgers in their Caddy's. Of course, I can easily tell who they are from a distance because they are always in the left lane with their right blinker flashing for the last 10 miles!
If the speed limit is 70 then I will do 72 in my truck, for two reasons:
1. My truck will get between 20-22 MPG when doing between 70-72 MPH, but go over 72 and there must be a switch I haven't found that starts lowering the mileage significantly. I guess that's what I get for owning a vehicle with the same coefficient of drag as a brick.
And...2. Here in Central Florida, when I am doing 72 in a 70 area I am still going about 15-17 MPH FASTER than most of the codgers in their Caddy's. Of course, I can easily tell who they are from a distance because they are always in the left lane with their right blinker flashing for the last 10 miles!
My Cummins is most efficient at 65 MPH...If the posted limit is less than that, I'll drive at that limit and stay in the right lane when I can...If the posted limit is higher, I'll stay on 65 and in the right lane when possible...If I'm passing someone doing less than 65, I stay at 65 with my cruise control on until I'm past and then I move back to the right lane...I really don't care how mad people behind me get; if they're in that big of a hurry they should have left the house sooner......Ben
My dad was the same way. He felt he had a constitutional right to stay in the left lane exactly at the speed limit and take miles to pass someone if necessary. In fact he almost saw it as a civic duty to prevent others from speeding and creating a safety hazard.
I thought that was inconsiderate at the time (and I was about 13 at the time). . Seriously...you never know what is going on in someone else's life. (Probably) well meaning people like you and my dad end up backing traffic up for miles.
Something to consider is that over the years both of you doing that you probably caused someone to miss a few precious minutes with a dying relative, or arriving a few minutes later to comfort a sick child, etc, in situations where there was no advanced notice and no way to "just leave earlier".
Several years later as an LEO I also came to realize it was not only discourteous, but also unsafe. Folks like you and my dad need to understand that the traffic congestion you create behind you (when you refuse to drive with the traffic flow in whatever lane you are in) has almost certainly killed or injured people. When you force people behind you to slow, as you refuse to get off your cruise control to expedite your pass, it has an accordion effect that leads to chain reaction accidents behind you.
In general we have really poor lane discipline in the US. Some f that is due to impatient people who get frustrated by slower folks staking a claim in the left lane. However a lot of it is caused by fiercely independent (arguably self centered and possibly self righteous - I know my dad was) types like you driving below the normal speed of traffic in the left lane, even if you do eventually go back into the right hand lane.
In short, if you are going to pass, get off the cruise control, get on the gas and and pass expeditiously.
If it takes you more than about 10 seconds to pass a car in the right lane you are passing way too slow and you are putting others at risk.
More to the point, if you are over taking a car at only 1-2 mph and are using the left lane to do it, you should have just slowed 1-2 mph, reset your cruise and *stayed* in the right lane. Or alternatively using your logic: "Oh...you *have* to pass since you can't go 1-2 mph slower? Maybe you should have just left a little sooner."
OP
You should lobby for 25-MPH -appropriate speed bumps. There is a 25 MPH cross street with these between two well-used highways in a residential neighborhood nearby my own. The speed bumps are quite effective.The street in front of my house is Main Street it is also a state highway. The speed limit is 25 but a lot of these nuts drive like they are still on the state highway and go 55 or more. Our town fathers closed down out little police Department a couple of years ago so we get a country sheriff deputy once in awhile but that has no effect on the speeders.
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How fast is too fast in terms f triggering a stop depends on a few factors.
1) It varies by state. For example in South Dakota the tolerance was just 5 mph. On the other hand SD is a wide open state that has faster speed limits on the first place. Last time I was back home to visit the speed limit on I-90 was 70 in MN and 75 in SD. So 79 mph worked in both states given the 5 mph tolerance in SD and 10 mph is MN.
2) expect less tolerance of you have out of state plates. They know you are not going to stick around and contest the ticket. A possible exception to that occurs in states where tourism is big business. They want you to come back.
3) If you are driving a vehicle that fits a drug runner profile you can expect to be stopped at pretty much any speed over the posted limit. If for example you have a pickup with a cap on the bed, out of state plates, it's riding low like you have a load in the bed, and you are traveling on a known drug corridor, you're going to get stopped if they can find probable cause to make a stop.
4) in the south east there is of course the accompanying offense of "driving while ____and in the south west there is the similar offense of "driving while _____***". In both cases you just won't have the same range of 5 mph or 10 mph over the speed limit that _____ drivers get. We desperately need to get rid of officers with those biases and attitudes but it has proven to be extremely hard to get rid of them over the last 4-5 decades. They are unfortunately self replicating in many departments.
5) teenagers generally also get less tolerance, in part as some officers target them for stops due to the increased potential for the presence of drugs or alcohol. Again, if they can find probable cause, they'll use it.
As an example, when I was 16 I was driving home from my after school job at about 1am in the midst of snow on top of freezing rain. I managed to safely stop at an intersection for a red light but noted the car coming up behind me not slowing and then careening wildly. Since there were no other cars I proceeded through the intersection to avoid an accident. It was good judgement on my part as the car behind me ended up in the middle of the intersection and would have not my car.
This was however observed by a police officer a couple blocks ahead of me who then pulled me over and cited me for a stop sign violation. I took it to court and the judge agreed with my necessity defense. He also chewed the officer out for ticketing me, rather than ticketing the person behind me. I got the impression this kind of profiling was a regular occurrence with this officer.
1) It varies by state. For example in South Dakota the tolerance was just 5 mph. On the other hand SD is a wide open state that has faster speed limits on the first place. Last time I was back home to visit the speed limit on I-90 was 70 in MN and 75 in SD. So 79 mph worked in both states given the 5 mph tolerance in SD and 10 mph is MN.
2) expect less tolerance of you have out of state plates. They know you are not going to stick around and contest the ticket. A possible exception to that occurs in states where tourism is big business. They want you to come back.
3) If you are driving a vehicle that fits a drug runner profile you can expect to be stopped at pretty much any speed over the posted limit. If for example you have a pickup with a cap on the bed, out of state plates, it's riding low like you have a load in the bed, and you are traveling on a known drug corridor, you're going to get stopped if they can find probable cause to make a stop.
4) in the south east there is of course the accompanying offense of "driving while ____and in the south west there is the similar offense of "driving while _____***". In both cases you just won't have the same range of 5 mph or 10 mph over the speed limit that _____ drivers get. We desperately need to get rid of officers with those biases and attitudes but it has proven to be extremely hard to get rid of them over the last 4-5 decades. They are unfortunately self replicating in many departments.
5) teenagers generally also get less tolerance, in part as some officers target them for stops due to the increased potential for the presence of drugs or alcohol. Again, if they can find probable cause, they'll use it.
As an example, when I was 16 I was driving home from my after school job at about 1am in the midst of snow on top of freezing rain. I managed to safely stop at an intersection for a red light but noted the car coming up behind me not slowing and then careening wildly. Since there were no other cars I proceeded through the intersection to avoid an accident. It was good judgement on my part as the car behind me ended up in the middle of the intersection and would have not my car.
This was however observed by a police officer a couple blocks ahead of me who then pulled me over and cited me for a stop sign violation. I took it to court and the judge agreed with my necessity defense. He also chewed the officer out for ticketing me, rather than ticketing the person behind me. I got the impression this kind of profiling was a regular occurrence with this officer.
OP
Coming across Wyoming into Colorado today, with a speed limit of 80, and few cars/trucks, I felt comfortable setting the cruise control at 85, for the most part. I hit 90 a coupla times passing. But I noticed when I got closer to Denver, and the highway grew congested, I preferred to run below the 75 limit, and in the middle or right hand lanes. I think congestion and an unfamiliar highway/area lead me to run below the speed limit.
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I try to obey the law in all aspects of my life.
I pitchpoled a '72 Chevy Nova doing 110 going to see my girlfriend when my ship got in after midnight one rainy snowy New England night.
Looking back, she wasn't worth it
I pitchpoled a '72 Chevy Nova doing 110 going to see my girlfriend when my ship got in after midnight one rainy snowy New England night.
Looking back, she wasn't worth it
LVSteve
Member
I'll go further. I'd hazard that nearly 80% of the vehicles owned by the members here wouldn't pass the annual German roadworthiness check, either. I was reminded that I live in a a "smog check only" state just today by the late model Chevy sedan in front of me with no functioning brake lights.
dasnake
Member
I gotta ask......?
I was wondering how you feel about three lane or four lane roads, if I'm loaded, truck, camper and toad (flat wheel jeep) I'm usually going faster than the right lane (slow), and a lot of times I'm faster than the left lane (fast), but because I dont want to move back and forth i keep it between the two in the middle or the two middle lanes and lock on cruise to keep from changing lanes, now I've got the power 500 hp one ton dually, so if I need a quick change I can but to keep going without lane change I moderate my speed to the varies of the traffic, where do you guys feel is a place for yourselves.
I was wondering how you feel about three lane or four lane roads, if I'm loaded, truck, camper and toad (flat wheel jeep) I'm usually going faster than the right lane (slow), and a lot of times I'm faster than the left lane (fast), but because I dont want to move back and forth i keep it between the two in the middle or the two middle lanes and lock on cruise to keep from changing lanes, now I've got the power 500 hp one ton dually, so if I need a quick change I can but to keep going without lane change I moderate my speed to the varies of the traffic, where do you guys feel is a place for yourselves.
Here in Michigan, the locals and MSP will usually, (not always), let you slide up to 5mph over the posted limit. Holidays, like the upcoming July 4th weekend, are the exception. They will crack you for 1mph over.
Just having P-Metric tires on your car will flunk TÜV in Germany. The speed rating for all P-Metric tires is not valid in Germany. Most cars here have P-Metric tires mounted. Say the tire size is 215/55/16. If it reads P215/55/16 that's P-Metric and will not pass.
Stu
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AJ
US Veteran
Since I do not plan on driving in Germany with my Volkswagen any time soon I guess it really does not matter.
When I was young--catch me it you can. I used to be a Porsche nut.
Today I just try to fit in, Find a place and stay with traffic.
Today I just try to fit in, Find a place and stay with traffic.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
The older i get..
the less of a speed freak I am. I am a regular competitor in speed target shooting and it is abundantly clear that my hand/eye coordination is slower. In recognition of this fact, my driving habits are a bit more careful. In city or town I scrupulously observe speed limits(most don't). I have learned people who pass me in town are usually waiting for me at the next stoplight(NYC cab drivers are the worst about this)!
On open highways, freeways, interstates, etc. I like to set my cruise control at 5mph over.
My cardinal rule is ALWAYS pay attention to my driving and nothing else. My truck was totaled 3 mos. ago by a 17 year old girl who T-boned me on an open highway. We were uninjured, she has an insurance problem.
the less of a speed freak I am. I am a regular competitor in speed target shooting and it is abundantly clear that my hand/eye coordination is slower. In recognition of this fact, my driving habits are a bit more careful. In city or town I scrupulously observe speed limits(most don't). I have learned people who pass me in town are usually waiting for me at the next stoplight(NYC cab drivers are the worst about this)!
On open highways, freeways, interstates, etc. I like to set my cruise control at 5mph over.
My cardinal rule is ALWAYS pay attention to my driving and nothing else. My truck was totaled 3 mos. ago by a 17 year old girl who T-boned me on an open highway. We were uninjured, she has an insurance problem.
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You're very right about those that pass you in town are usually waiting for you at the next stoplight. You're a step ahead by easily figuring this out, but they never will...
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Yesterday left buddies shop in JAX, went a back way to get to Rt. 17. Got behind a pickup and some small car between truck and me. Right away noticed pickup " drifting" to the right, on phone or??? Anyway he made it about 1 more block until he " drifted" into a storm drain opening shredding right rear tire. Kept going on the rim and finally pulled in some apartment, tire in shreds and probably bent rim. Typical.
As for vehicle inspections, all Va. residents respond, LOL.
As for vehicle inspections, all Va. residents respond, LOL.
When on a trip I set the cruise control at 68. That's where my Ranger gets the best mileage. Never been bothered but passed a lot.
In truck drive 5 mph under speed limit. This make it easy to spot when the Feds, State, County, wardens, City or Village officers are following me. And the tin hat reflects radar.
On motorcycle drive fast enough to be overtaking/staying even with traffic, as a matter of safety.
On motorcycle drive fast enough to be overtaking/staying even with traffic, as a matter of safety.
Wait a minute......................
Where do you find the big "Fuzz" out of the big cities writing tickets?
Those "cow towns" south of Salt Lake are generally "Open range" and you can go as fast as you can in order to stop quick enough
to prevent elk or deer damage to your car !!
You got to be really messing up big time to get a ticket in Utah.
Slow down and get a ice cream cone from any town !!
Depends on the road.
On the highways, 10% over the posted limit (60 in a 55, 66 in a 60, 77 in a 70)
Neighborhood streets I pretty much try to stay at the 25 mph limit
Arterials in the 30-50 mph ranges I'll keep it to a max of 5 mph over
On the highways, 10% over the posted limit (60 in a 55, 66 in a 60, 77 in a 70)
Neighborhood streets I pretty much try to stay at the 25 mph limit
Arterials in the 30-50 mph ranges I'll keep it to a max of 5 mph over
Speed limit here on the interstate is 80.
I drive 80. What in the world do you have going that you need to drive faster than that for?
In a hurry? Leave earlier
A lot of folks just have to push the envelope. If getting away with driving 5 mph over the speed limit give you a thrill, you live a very boring life.
I drive 80. What in the world do you have going that you need to drive faster than that for?
In a hurry? Leave earlier
A lot of folks just have to push the envelope. If getting away with driving 5 mph over the speed limit give you a thrill, you live a very boring life.
I agree with you at 80 mph. However I also recall when the speedlimit on interstates designed for 75 mph and to 55 mph after the 1973 oil crisis. Living in SD a 400 mile 5 hour and 30 minute trip was now a 7 hour and 20 minute trip.
Increasing the speed to 60 mph reduced that to 6 hours and 40 minutes. Increasing it to 64 mph reduced it to 6 hours and 15 minutes. That 40 to 65 minute time saving was often significant when you start considering things like getting up an on ungodly hour to keep a schedule, or an encroaching weather front.
Or things like a call in the middle of the night informing you that if you want to see your dying father alive, you need to get here as soon as possible. Speeding to get 40 minutes with a dying relative you otherwise might not get. That's a no brained decision. Yet people in that situation end up stuck behind someone in the passing lane doing 65 along side someone in the left lane doing 64.9.
You never know what someone else is going through, so try not to be a dick tying up the passing lane.
I know a lot of people say higher speeds waste gas. Well that is not a 100% true, it depends on what you are driving. My last 4 Vettes were some of the best gas mileage cars I ever owned.
We did a bunch of driving visiting relatives and hitting large car shows for many years and I proved out that speeds up to 80 the mileage was just as good there than the lower speed limit. The aerodynamics of the car allowed that. Of course if your driving a box car your putting a lot of gas through your engine
!
I cleaned out my desk and lost a bunch of paper I had, but remember getting close to 30MPH on a long trip with my 98 Vette and getting better than 25 with 3 more Vettes even one being a 427CI 505HP 07 Z06.
So its not always a higher speed uses more gas, its what you are driving and how your driving it.(not talking legal here)
We did a bunch of driving visiting relatives and hitting large car shows for many years and I proved out that speeds up to 80 the mileage was just as good there than the lower speed limit. The aerodynamics of the car allowed that. Of course if your driving a box car your putting a lot of gas through your engine
!I cleaned out my desk and lost a bunch of paper I had, but remember getting close to 30MPH on a long trip with my 98 Vette and getting better than 25 with 3 more Vettes even one being a 427CI 505HP 07 Z06.
So its not always a higher speed uses more gas, its what you are driving and how your driving it.(not talking legal here)
mmb617
Member
I used to have a job that required a lot of driving, often on the turnpike or interstates. On those roads I routinely set my cruise control to 5-8 mph over the posted limits in good weather. The exception was when I got in the morning rush hour traffic around Harrisburg. In that case you just go with the flow which is usually way over the limit, but you're a hazard going slower in that very heavy 80 mph traffic.
On smaller roads you have to know that some places are just notorious speed traps where you will be stopped for 36 in a 35. But most places 5 over is not going to get you stopped.
I drove about 45k miles a year for 12 years and never got one speeding ticket. One thing that gets people in trouble is just not paying attention. We have I99 looping around the small city where I live and for those couple miles the speed limit drops from 70 to 55. It's all the same road but if you aren't paying attention and blow through that reduced speed zone at 70+ you are highly at risk for a ticket as the state troopers set up radar right at the beginning of that zone.
On smaller roads you have to know that some places are just notorious speed traps where you will be stopped for 36 in a 35. But most places 5 over is not going to get you stopped.
I drove about 45k miles a year for 12 years and never got one speeding ticket. One thing that gets people in trouble is just not paying attention. We have I99 looping around the small city where I live and for those couple miles the speed limit drops from 70 to 55. It's all the same road but if you aren't paying attention and blow through that reduced speed zone at 70+ you are highly at risk for a ticket as the state troopers set up radar right at the beginning of that zone.
pantannojack
US Veteran
I drive slow enough to cause the tailgattor behind me to pass. If he don't want to pass I come to complete stop where passing is legal. If he still don't pass, I begin to move slowly in reverse. I've had it with high pressure A H types.
