Speed Limit Question

[state 08]

Does the speed limit enforcement start right after the sign or as soon as it is visable?

 

[slayer202]

I would guess at the sign

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Whenever the cop who pulls you over says it does.

 

[FallenHero]

In IL, with few exceptions (School zones, constructions zones, maybe a few others) 500 ft after the first visible sign notifying you of the speed limit change.

 

[jlee]

At the sign in NH.

 

[Zee]

at the sign

 

[AstroManLuca]

Judging by how people drive in my hometown, roughly 500 feet before the "Speed Limit 30 (1/5 mile)" sign.

 

[Beanie46]

At the sign.

Originally posted by: FallenHero
In IL, with few exceptions (School zones, constructions zones, maybe a few others) 500 ft after the first visible sign notifying you of the speed limit change.

Wonder where you came up with that.....cannot find that anywhere in IL's driving laws, driver's manual, etc., to include searching the IL Compiled Statues.....

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: Beanie46
At the sign.

Originally posted by: FallenHero
In IL, with few exceptions (School zones, constructions zones, maybe a few others) 500 ft after the first visible sign notifying you of the speed limit change.

Wonder where you came up with that.....cannot find that anywhere in IL's driving laws, driver's manual, etc., to include searching the IL Compiled Statues.....

I would concur with FallenHero.


PA Vehicle code, title 75, chapter 33.

Distance requirements for use of mechanical, electrical and electronic devices.--Mechanical, electrical or electronic devices may not be used to time the rate of speed of vehicles within 500 feet after a speed limit sign indicating a decrease of speed. This limitation on the use of speed timing devices shall not apply to speed limit signs indicating school zones, bridge and elevated structure speed limits, hazardous grade speed limits and work zone speed limits.

Illinois Vehicle Code

Electronic speed-detecting devices shall not be used within 500 feet beyond any such sign in the direction of travel; if so used in violation of this Section evidence obtained thereby shall be inadmissible in any prosecution for speeding.

These words appear several times throughout the illinios vehicle code:
(625 ILCS 5/11-602) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-602)
(625 ILCS 5/11-603) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-603)
(625 ILCS 5/11-604) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-604)
(625 ILCS 5/11-605) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-605)

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: JLee
At the sign in NH.

Like you're an expert or something....

 

[dullard]

In most locations: right at the sign.

In fact, if you read Sao123's post, it says ENFORCEMENT shall not occur right after the sign in two states. However, the speed limit law is still probably in effect even if enforcement isn't in effect.

 

[finite automaton]

Originally posted by: dullard
In most locations: right at the sign.

In fact, if you read Sao123's post, it says ENFORCEMENT shall not occur right after the sign in two states. However, the speed limit law is still probably in effect even if enforcement isn't in effect.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

In California, it's at the sign. And I know people who have gotten tickets and warnings to prove it.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: finite automaton

There are laws. And there are laws that are enforced. Those are two different concepts. When it comes to federal laws, congress writes the laws, and the president chooses which ones to enforce. Same thing happens on the local level

The most common example is that many locations will not enforce speed limits until you go 5 mph over the limit. Suppose the speed limit is 55 mph, and you are going 57 mph. You are breaking the law. But in many locations, the police are ordered NOT to pull you over for that speed. Why? It is too hard to prosecute, clogs the judicial system with cases that are too minor, and wastes police officer time. But just because they won't pull you over, doesn't mean you aren't breaking the law.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: finite automaton

There are laws. And there are laws that are enforced. Those are two different concepts. When it comes to federal laws, congress writes the laws, and the president chooses which ones to enforce. Same thing happens on the local level

The most common example is that many locations will not enforce speed limits until you go 5 mph over the limit. Suppose the speed limit is 55 mph, and you are going 57 mph. You are breaking the law. But in many locations, the police are ordered NOT to pull you over for that speed. Why? It is too hard to prosecute, clogs the judicial system with cases that are too minor, and wastes police officer time. But just because they won't pull you over, doesn't mean you aren't breaking the law.

...in most areas where only 5 or more is enforced is due to under 5 having no fine/penalty. You can still get a ticket for them, but it's of no consequence. They sometimes will hand one out if they stop you for other things

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
Judging by how people drive in my hometown, roughly 500 feet before the "Speed Limit 30 (1/5 mile)" sign.

Judging by how people drive around here, it's whenever there is a cop around.

 

[Newbian]

Wherever the cop says... he does have a gun after all.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: finite automaton

There are laws. And there are laws that are enforced. Those are two different concepts. When it comes to federal laws, congress writes the laws, and the president chooses which ones to enforce. Same thing happens on the local level

The most common example is that many locations will not enforce speed limits until you go 5 mph over the limit. Suppose the speed limit is 55 mph, and you are going 57 mph. You are breaking the law. But in many locations, the police are ordered NOT to pull you over for that speed. Why? It is too hard to prosecute, clogs the judicial system with cases that are too minor, and wastes police officer time. But just because they won't pull you over, doesn't mean you aren't breaking the law.

It's to hard to prosecute because in most states it isn't against the law to go above the posted speed limit. It is however against the law to drive at an unsafe speed, which is to be determined by road studies within the state and consequently posted on nice little signs.

In TN, we had to technically observe that a car was moving at an unsafe speed for the roadway and current conditions, and then use our radar/lidar. Now I'm not sure if this was the law, or simply a method to ensure that our tickets were "better", but it's what we did.

 

[Brainonska511]

I would guess at the sign, hence the signs for "Speed Zone Ahead".

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: finite automaton

Originally posted by: dullard
In most locations: right at the sign.

In fact, if you read Sao123's post, it says ENFORCEMENT shall not occur right after the sign in two states. However, the speed limit law is still probably in effect even if enforcement isn't in effect.

It is peculiar that the statute is written the way it is. It would be simple to say that the speed limit takes effect 500 feet after the sign, but it was written deliberately to exclude electronic enforcement after a sign. Isn't it possible to be issued a ticket based on a visual estimation of your speed? Perhaps they left that possibility open to allow for particularly excessive speed.

 

[lxskllr]

At the sign in MD as far as I'm aware. I doubt any place says the speed limit change is when the sign's in sight. It would then be an argument over who has the best eyesight.

 

[amdhunter]

NYC = at the sign.

 

[JTsyo]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: finite automaton

Originally posted by: dullard
In most locations: right at the sign.

In fact, if you read Sao123's post, it says ENFORCEMENT shall not occur right after the sign in two states. However, the speed limit law is still probably in effect even if enforcement isn't in effect.

It is peculiar that the statute is written the way it is. It would be simple to say that the speed limit takes effect 500 feet after the sign, but it was written deliberately to exclude electronic enforcement after a sign. Isn't it possible to be issued a ticket based on a visual estimation of your speed? Perhaps they left that possibility open to allow for particularly excessive speed.

In those cases I doubt the 500 ft is going to make a difference. But the electronic part does seem like it's a loophole.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: JTsyo

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: finite automaton

Originally posted by: dullard
In most locations: right at the sign.

In fact, if you read Sao123's post, it says ENFORCEMENT shall not occur right after the sign in two states. However, the speed limit law is still probably in effect even if enforcement isn't in effect.

It is peculiar that the statute is written the way it is. It would be simple to say that the speed limit takes effect 500 feet after the sign, but it was written deliberately to exclude electronic enforcement after a sign. Isn't it possible to be issued a ticket based on a visual estimation of your speed? Perhaps they left that possibility open to allow for particularly excessive speed.

In those cases I doubt the 500 ft is going to make a difference. But the electronic part does seem like it's a loophole.

its not. at least in Pa its not.

In every charge of violation of a speed provision in this subchapter, except for a violation of section 3361 (relating to driving vehicle at safe speed), the citation or complaint shall specify the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven and the applicable speed limit.

implies that visual estimation is not permitted, at least for a speeding ticket. Since driving too fast for conditions, doesnt depend on the posted speed limit and can be determiend visually, the 500 feet doesnt matter.

The statute also says about the 500ft distance:

This limitation on the use of speed timing devices shall not apply to speed limit signs indicating school zones, bridge and elevated structure speed limits, hazardous grade speed limits and work zone speed limits.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: Beanie46
At the sign.

Originally posted by: FallenHero
In IL, with few exceptions (School zones, constructions zones, maybe a few others) 500 ft after the first visible sign notifying you of the speed limit change.

Wonder where you came up with that.....cannot find that anywhere in IL's driving laws, driver's manual, etc., to include searching the IL Compiled Statues.....

FallenHero is correct as sao123 has pointed out.