5-10 MPH Speeding "cushion" may be under fire

[DPancoast]

USA Today Article

"Most people, if they're stopped now, are getting a ticket even if it's only a minor violation of a few miles per hour," Baxter says. He cites anecdotal evidence of drivers being pulled over at slower speeds.

discuss.

[twastheglow]

I read a similar article last week. I don't know about in other people's area's, but in mine, there are constantly TONS of cops sitting all over blasting people.

I actually just took a defensive driving course yesterday for the insurance reduction and we were discussing this in class too. States need additional funding...bottom line.

[FocusDude]

They were talking about this on the radio the other day. I've always heard there was a cushion of 7mph or so, but never followed it. I'm either doing the speed limit, or flying and willing to take the ticket- No matter how d-baggish it seems to ticket someone for 57 in a 55mph, it's illegal and a ticket-able offense and more then likely you gave the cop a reason to pull you out of the pack, speeding is just a easy excuse. Depending on location (ie. Sweedsboro, New Hope, Lambertville, etc) 5mph above the speed limit would be absurd, and 10mph just dangerous.

You can throw out the, I have modified my car, my speedo doesn't work, etc- ignorance is a failed argument in my book. My car reads 3mph fast do to smaller tire diameter, I am aware of that and drive accordingly.

[twastheglow]

Originally Posted by FocusDude

They were talking about this on the radio the other day. I've always heard there was a cushion of 7mph or so, but never followed it. I'm either doing the speed limit, or flying and willing to take the ticket- No matter how d-baggish it seems to ticket someone for 57 in a 55mph, it's illegal and a ticket-able offense and more then likely you gave the cop a reason to pull you out of the pack, speeding is just a easy excuse. Depending on location (ie. Sweedsboro, New Hope, Lambertville, etc) 5mph above the speed limit would be absurd, and 10mph just dangerous.

You can throw out the, I have modified my car, my speedo doesn't work, etc- ignorance is a failed argument in my book. My car reads 3mph fast do to smaller tire diameter, I am aware of that and drive accordingly.

As irritating as it may be, it is 100% true.

Back in 2000/2001 I was driving through the middle of PA in some small town. I was visiting a girlfriend's parents and we were looking for a drive-in movie theater that we had found on the internet. We ended up getting lost and were trying to find our way back to her parents. In doing so, as I said, we were traveling through this small town at night. I had no idea what the speed limit was, but I assumed it was 30mph since I couldn't find a posted limit. I figured this was a fair assumption since I was in a residential area. Well, as it turns out the speed limit was actually 25 miles per ****ing hour and I got pulled over and received a ticket for doing just that...30mph in a 25mph zone. I have no doubt my NY plates were an easy target since the likelihood of me driving 3 hours one way to plea not guilty in court were slim to none...and he was right.

I always thought that was a ridiculously bogus ticket...and have never been ticketed in such a petty way since...but I truly feel those situations are quite possibly going to become the norm in some areas.

[DPancoast]

i drive the speed limit unlees:

A) i have someone on my tail. the i go 5 over.

B) im on the highway and need to keep with the flow of traffic.

I will get carried away some times if im in a hurry, but ive been trying hard to knock that off.

My jeep is easy because i just hit cruise control since im lazy.

[ASIAN JUL]

Meh. I try not to speed. I think typically on a highway, there's always gonna be someone that's gonna fly by you or ride your ass in the fast lane even if you are speeding until you move outta their way. So here's to hoping they're the ones that get caught

[twastheglow]

I have consistently driven slower and slower in my old age. I always follow the posted limit on surface streets and never go over 5mph on the highway...and I don't even do that anymore. And at 29 years old, at this rate by the time I'm 60 I'll be driving 1/2 the posted limit. lol

[FocusDude]

^^^ I'll be 30 in a few months and my driving habits are similar, only fun I have is around the autoX course.

Originally Posted by twastheglow

I always thought that was a ridiculously bogus ticket...and have never been ticketed in such a petty way since...but I truly feel those situations are quite possibly going to become the norm in some areas.

You must be using the same crystal ball as me!

[twastheglow]

Originally Posted by FocusDude

^^^ I'll be 30 in a few months and my driving habits are similar, only fun I have is around the autoX course.



You must be using the same crystal ball as me!

LOL

&

LOL

[Honduh]

Id be pretty pissed getting pulled over for 5 over in my work truck in an unfamiliar location.

I ALWAYS drive the speed limit but I will admit I usually hover around 5 over or under.

[twastheglow]

Originally Posted by Honduh

Id be pretty pissed getting pulled over for 5 over in my work truck in an unfamiliar location.

I certainly was! And it wasn't like I saw a sign posted for 45mph and was driving 50mph (which I would also be pissed about). Instead, I was doing what I thought was the default speed for a residential area when you don't see a posted limit.

[jesus_ralliart]

They came up with a great invention recently and its called cruise control.

Furthermore, when in doubt, drive 5mph less than what youre thinking.

[i_ride_fieroGT]

The only reason there really ever was a speeding cushion was because its vey hard to make a case when your only doing 5MPH over. there old equipment is never dead on acurate so the could see your doing 55 when your speedo is saying your doing 50. Now that there tech has advanced they can pinpoint your speed more acuretley.

[JadedTuner]

**** it, i speed, and dont really give a ****. State needs money. If they can catch me I give em the cash. But the 5-10mph cushion is gone and up in smoke cause police and traffic tickets are a joke.

[Khellen]

Originally Posted by DPancoast

USA Today Article




discuss.

I drive 5-6 hours a day for my job three or four days a week in PA & NJ and from my experience I've NEVER got pulled over doing 5-10mph over. I've passed Jersey cops that are clocking going 10mph over on a daily basis. That's not to say I'm never going to get pulled over for passing a cop doing 8-10mph but most of the time they just don't care.

[lownslow95]

I'm always doing the speed limit around town, but on highways and such, I do closer to 65-70 just to keep up with the flow of traffic. On some occasions I'm the fastest guy on the road doing 65. It's dumb do speed around town now because little kids are always out playing and I live within 2 miles or so from 2 elementary schools and 3 middle schools, and there are no side walks in front of my house.

[EvlEgl]

I drive to work on Route 70 Every day, 30 Miles to work, 30 Miles Back...I pass a State Trooper Barracks on 206 and See on Average in a week, About 30 to 40 State Troopers. On 206 the Speed Limit is 50, I do 55 and Pass Troopers All day without them so much as flinching...the Speed Limit on Route 70 is 55 and I do 60, with the Same outcome as stated before.

I really think if a Cop wants to pull you over and break your balls for 5MPH over...then He's having a ****ty ass day and your just the unlucky bastard who gets to feel his wraith...With that being said, My last speeding ticket was 68 in a 55 AND i was on the ZX6...Cop didnt even let me say a word, he just said Heres your ticket, Slow down, and Have a nice day...Needless to say when I ride through that part of jersey...I do the speed limit.

[Bender]

He cites anecdotal evidence of drivers being pulled over at slower speeds.

I get why people make the assumption that more people will be pulled over because of the financial situation that municipalities are in, but I don't buy it without statistics. I am SURE it is happening some places but most police officers are way too busy to start pulling over even more people.

[russiankid]

Problem with this is that you think you're going the speed limit because you're basing it off the car speedometer. However, a cops radar may read differently.

[russiankid]

Originally Posted by JadedTuner

**** it, i speed, and dont really give a ****. State needs money. If they can catch me I give em the cash. But the 5-10mph cushion is gone and up in smoke cause police and traffic tickets are a joke.

You're right, speed limits are set for fools who care about their and others lives.