TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast - View Single Post - Please: best police officer answer on driving speed limit vs keeping up with traffic

ryu_haneda · 07-25-2011, 09:14 PM

Similar threads found a few matches on speed limit, but so far, no definite answer from a police officer (apologies if there was a post, I'll be glad to follow any links you post in replies).

First off, I don't care if I catch flak for this or not - God bless every police officer out there putting their lives on the line so I can enjoy the privilege of driving. You put up with enormous amounts of attitude and literally risk your lives so that we can go about our business day-to-day. Thank you a thousand times over.

Back on topic:
I would like a best answer from a police officer on whether you prefer that folks like me drive the speed limit, or float around what traffic is doing. I drive between New Jersey and Pennsylvania on a regular basis, and can attest to people driving between 10 to 15mph over the speed limit. Sometimes, the road doesn't matter at all (it could be a two-lane highway or a boulevard, a divided highway or a turnpike).

Obeying the speed limit often works for me because I don't like getting pulled over, and because of the gasoline-saving measures that you can take at 55 or 65 (and not 75 or 85mph). But keeping up with traffic also means I am not presenting such a difference in operating speeds.

While I can make my case that the majority is not always right, what should a law-abiding citizen do? Can you get pulled over for driving 55 or 60 in a 55 zone if you have traffic tailgating you? Would a police officer consider keeping up with a flow of traffic between 65 to 75 mph a worse offense?

I still enjoy driving, but I want to know what kind of behavior gets a driver in trouble so I know I'm doing the best I can out there.

07-25-2011, 09:14 PM	#1
ryu_haneda Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pennsylvania USA Member #6076 My Ride: 1998 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT iTrader: (0)	Please: best police officer answer on driving speed limit vs keeping up with traffic Similar threads found a few matches on speed limit, but so far, no definite answer from a police officer (apologies if there was a post, I'll be glad to follow any links you post in replies). First off, I don't care if I catch flak for this or not - God bless every police officer out there putting their lives on the line so I can enjoy the privilege of driving. You put up with enormous amounts of attitude and literally risk your lives so that we can go about our business day-to-day. Thank you a thousand times over. Back on topic: I would like a best answer from a police officer on whether you prefer that folks like me drive the speed limit, or float around what traffic is doing. I drive between New Jersey and Pennsylvania on a regular basis, and can attest to people driving between 10 to 15mph over the speed limit. Sometimes, the road doesn't matter at all (it could be a two-lane highway or a boulevard, a divided highway or a turnpike). Obeying the speed limit often works for me because I don't like getting pulled over, and because of the gasoline-saving measures that you can take at 55 or 65 (and not 75 or 85mph). But keeping up with traffic also means I am not presenting such a difference in operating speeds. While I can make my case that the majority is not always right, what should a law-abiding citizen do? Can you get pulled over for driving 55 or 60 in a 55 zone if you have traffic tailgating you? Would a police officer consider keeping up with a flow of traffic between 65 to 75 mph a worse offense? I still enjoy driving, but I want to know what kind of behavior gets a driver in trouble so I know I'm doing the best I can out there.