Is It Legal to Go 7 Miles Over the Speed Limit?

Driving 1 mile over the posted speed limit is already considered illegal in many jurisdictions. While some areas allow minor variances to account for odometer inaccuracies, exceeding the limit by 7 miles is a clear violation of the law. However, your chances of getting a ticket may vary depending on the officer and the specific circumstances.

Understanding Speed Limit Laws

While it is illegal to exceed the speed limit for any amount, many drivers find themselves in situations where they are going 7 miles over. It's crucial to understand that crossing the limit, even by a small margin, is still against the law. The core principle is that the speed limit sign indicates the maximum allowable speed unless there is a specific exception granted by law enforcement.

Reality and Practicalities

Although speed measurement devices used by law enforcement, such as police cars' speedometers and handheld devices, are regularly calibrated and tested, the average family vehicle's speedometer often varies.

Factors such as using tires that deviate slightly from the factory recommendations can significantly impact the accuracy of your speedometer. Additionally, GPS devices may sometimes display different speeds compared to your car's speedometer. This variability means that a 7-mile-per-hour difference over the speed limit might not always result in a ticket, but it is still illegal.

Traffic Ticket Discretion

In practice, many police officers are aware of the variability and may issue warnings or citations based on the discretion of the officer. For instance:

State Troopers: May allow up to 10 miles per hour over the speed limit on the interstate. Average Cops: Usually allow drivers to go 5 miles per hour above the speed limit before issuing a ticket.

However, it's important to note that this is not a hard and fast rule. The actual speed limit remains unchanged, and the only way to ensure you are within the legal limits is to abide by the posted speed signs.

FAQ: Speeding and Legal Limits

Is driving 7 miles over the speed limit legal? No, it is not legal to drive 7 miles over the speed limit. Going even slightly above the posted limit is illegal. Can you get a ticket for 7 miles over the speed limit? While it's unlikely to get a ticket for crossing the limit by 7 miles, it is still possible. Police discretion varies, and you should drive within the legal limit to avoid any potential issues.

In summary, while minor variances in speed may sometimes go unnoticed by law enforcement, going 7 miles over the speed limit is unequivocally illegal. Always follow posted speed limits to ensure a safe and legal drive.