How Much Over The Speed Limit Is 'Speedin'?

I've gotten mixed answers from everyone. I've heard that just 1 mph over is technically speeding and can be ticketed (or enough cause for an inspection). I've heard that you shouldn't drive even 1 mph over the limit on backroads, but on the interstate and US highways you can drive over the limit only if others are, excluding in construction zones.

And it seems to be different depending on where you are in the country. That annoying 55 mph truck limit on I-10 in southern California is crazy. Some drivers stay right on it, while Owner Ops fly by at over 65 mph.

This speed thing is very confusing to me.

My question: how do you know when to follow the speed limit exactly (do no more than 55 in a 55), and when you can legally be over it?

My question: how do you know when to follow the speed limit exactly (do no more than 55 in a 55), and when you can legally be over it?

You can never "legally" be over it. Just because others are speeding does not make it legal to keep up with them.

You just have to weigh each situation for its risks vs. rewards. If you think you can be part of the herd that gets away when a cop picks off the weak one from the group, then go for it. If you're on a flat, straight, deserted state highway and you can clearly see no other vehicles behind or in front of you, then go for it. Etc.

Technically speaking 1 mph over limit is speeding however it comes down to local jrisdictions. to give you an example. Converse, TX which is just outside of San Antonio. They don't have any fines for anything less than 11 over the limit, so if it's 35mph you can safely go 45 without worry of a speeding ticket but if you go 11 then you are in range of their lowest speeding fine. That doesn't mean they won't pull you over anyways for something else, even if they don't have a reason it doesn't mean they can't and in the case of a trucker yeah they could use it as an excuse to give you an inspection.

Also some places have turtle tickets and that's given out when you are going slower than everyone else which causes you to be a safety hazard.

I have always felt that as long as you're going with the flow of traffic going a little over the limit is not a problem. That may be different in a rig though.

We had 4 drivers ticketed in July for speeding in the 6-10 mph over the limit range. 2 more at 10-15 over and one at 15+ over the limit.

For me personally, 3 over in/around city, 6 over on interstates, and 0 over in construction zones.

As for the "flow" of traffic, I could care less. Most of them could ride the bus and still make their living. I unfortunately cannot.

.02

I have found for me, as long as you are not weaving in/out of traffic and causing havoc, you will do just fine in heavy traffic. When it comes to driving the speed limit (CA comes to mind), if you do 3 or 4 mph over the posted speed limit, you will do just fine. Let the other folks to the faster speeds because they will take the heat off of you (the law enforcement folks will be after them not you). As long as when in Cali, you are at or just below the posted speed limit when you pass a scale, you will not be bothered (unless you are really speeding in between scales) you will not be looked at.

But that has been my experience over the years whether it be in a truck or your personal vehicle.

Ernie

ABSOLUTE, Definite and Complete ANSWER from 2 million mile+ accident/ticket/ DOT violation- free trainer at company sponsored school while training student driver:

"There is a 5 mph cushion at 55 mph and up. You will not get a ticket in this 5 mph range." If you're driving 6 mph over you will get a ticket. So if the speed limit is 55, 60 is LEGAL. If speed limit is 65, 70 is LEGAL.

This is the what happened to me and the truth. I quit the next day, and have paid the company $1750 for quitting the school early- on the 12th day of student driving with Learners Permit. Of course there's more to the story.

If the 5 mph cushion is BS say so.

I believe it is. I am age 61 and have never heard this before. I really don't get it. Why my trainer would tell me to speed. He is an angry man. But an excellent driver- accident free, etc. We had plenty of time to make our delivery.

A few years ago I got a speeding ticket in CA and was told that if I had been going 61 mph instead of 63 I would not have gotten a ticket. I was going down hill at the time.

But regardless of where I drive I can usually set my cruse 3 to 4 mph over the limit and be OK.

Cops will tell you that they allow at least 5 mph over. I know my dad did when he was a county sherif in Arkansas.

Honestly the speed limit is the speed limit and you should do it. Anything over it and that is total on you.

If the white sign on the side of the road says 55, then anything over 55 is speeding. The speedometer in individual autos may show something a bit different. If you get smaller size tires to be a low rider, your speedo will over read (you will see 58 when you are actually doing 55). If you get big fat tires on your pickup, you will under read. (you will see 53 in a 55 mile zone and you will naturally speed up.)

With all the variances, and the fact officers don't want to ticket the huge number of 2mph over type drivers (plus the negative PR), there's a practical cushion of 5 mph. It's still not legal, but it gives officers the time they need to also go out and catch real criminals like bank robbers and their ilk.

5 is acceptable just about everywhere except..if everyone else is running higher..its safest to run at the speed of traffic...Ive never received a ticket anywhere..until I was 10 over.

5 is acceptable just about everywhere except..if everyone else is running higher..its safest to run at the speed of traffic...Ive never received a ticket anywhere..until I was 10 over.

For early morning times, the ring of I-40 and I-240 around Memphis has no limit. The posted signs say 55, but "we all" travel up towards 70 mph. And, yes, I break the law at that time.