When LEOs run radar on the Interstate...

[MEM-TEK]

Hi everyone,

Occasionally I encounter GSP operating radar in moving mode on the Interstate and traveling in the same direction as I am. Usually these officers are driving right at the speed limit, or perhaps 5mph less, yet traffic always seems to get backed up behind them and they stand out like a sore thumb at the front of the pack of cars behind them. Generally, I will slowly pass them on the right and then stay about three car lengths ahead of them, but not in their lane (they are always in the left lane) so that their radar gun has a clear line-of-site view of the oncoming traffic. Anyway, the GSP officers always seem to appreciate no longer being at the front of the pack of cars behind them. In such situations I am never driving more than a couple of miles per hour over the posted speed limit, and its fun to watch the GSP just behind me suddenly slow down, cross the median, and then go after a vehicle which I had already noticed was excessively speeding!

My question is, do I risk being pulled over and getting a ticket for just a couple of MPH over the PSL when all I was trying to do is prevent the GSP's car from standing out at the front of the pack of cars? I've been told that the GSP only really takes notice of you if you are driving more than 10 over the PSL.

I am well past my youth and always keep it well within 10 of the PSL even though I own a radar detector! Driving safely is far more important to me now, yet my RD reminds me of my younger days when I generally did drive 10 to 15 over the PSL. Besides, its fun to see my RD going off frequently when the GSP is out there and doing their job of keeping the roads safe for all drivers.

Sincerest Regards,

--Michael

[redbird07]

Hi everyone,

Occasionally I encounter GSP operating radar in moving mode on the Interstate and traveling in the same direction as I am. Usually these officers are driving right at the speed limit, or perhaps 5mph less, yet traffic always seems to get backed up behind them and they stand out like a sore thumb at the front of the pack of cars behind them. Generally, I will slowly pass them on the right and then stay about three car lengths ahead of them, but not in their lane (they are always in the left lane) so that their radar gun has a clear line-of-site view of the oncoming traffic. Anyway, the GSP officers always seem to appreciate no longer being at the front of the pack of cars behind them. In such situations I am never driving more than a couple of miles per hour over the posted speed limit, and its fun to watch the GSP just behind me suddenly slow down, cross the median, and then go after a vehicle which I had already noticed was excessively speeding!

My question is, do I risk being pulled over and getting a ticket for just a couple of MPH over the PSL when all I was trying to do is prevent the GSP's car from standing out at the front of the pack of cars? I've been told that the GSP only really takes notice of you if you are driving more than 10 over the PSL.

I am well past my youth and always keep it well within 10 of the PSL even though I own a radar detector! Driving safely is far more important to me now, yet my RD reminds me of my younger days when I generally did drive 10 to 15 over the PSL. Besides, its fun to see my RD going off frequently when the GSP is out there and doing their job of keeping the roads safe for all drivers.

Sincerest Regards,

--Michael

Plainly put, if you go 1 mile over the speed limit you run the risk of getting pulled over and ticketed. If you are looking for an argument/debate in reference to this subject, it has been beaten to death. All officers nationwide just decided to make the ticket writing threshold begin at 45 mph over the PSL. Have fun and be careful.

[MEM-TEK]

Plainly put, if you go 1 mile over the speed limit you run the risk of getting pulled over and ticketed. If you are looking for an argument/debate in reference to this subject, it has been beaten to death. All officers nationwide just decided to make the ticket writing threshold begin at 45 mph over the PSL. Have fun and be careful.

Thanks redbird07,

Its nice to know that the ticket writing threshold has been adopted nationwide at 45mph over the PSL. I have printed out your response since you are a sworn police officer in the state of Maryland and since I know that you would never post inaccurate information since that would imply a lack of integrity, and will stick the printed response in my glove box and use it in court. Indeed, I think I will post my question and your reply elsewhere on the Internet. Just kidding!

But seriously though...

Whatever happened to the 90th percentile as far as setting proper safe speed limits? It could easily be argued that the 90th percentile represents the top of a Bel curve which inherently has a very shallow slope very near to either side of the curve. H, E, double hockey sticks, I can walk faster than 2mph! So I fail to see how driving one or two miles over the PSL poses any kind of potential traffic or accident hazard whatsoever -- assuming dry conditions, light to moderate traffic, and that me and my vehicle and tires are in excellent condition.

Again, the point of my post was actually trying to assist the GSP by not having their vehicle stand out at the front of the pack of cars -- and they do seem to appreciate it as it makes their job easier in catching the flagrant speeders who are very observant of upcoming road and traffic conditions. But maybe thats just here in my neck of the woods. So my question to you is, if you were running radar on a highway, would you not appreciate it if I stayed maybe 5 car lengths ahead of you so that your patrol car didn't stand out against the pack of cars behind you? (I am assuming here that you too are not exceeding the PSL while operating moving radar, simply because you are a LEO.)

Would you really pull me over if all I did was hang out a few car lengths ahead of you, yet after reaching that position I wasn't exceeding the PSL, but in order to get into that position I went maybe two mph over the PSL?

Sincerest Regards,

--Michael

[SRT936]

Whatever happened to the 90th percentile as far as setting proper safe speed limits? It could easily be argued that the 90th percentile represents the top of a Bel curve which inherently has a very shallow slope very near to either side of the curve. H, E, double hockey sticks, I can walk faster than 2mph! So I fail to see how driving one or two miles over the PSL poses any kind of potential traffic or accident hazard whatsoever -- assuming dry conditions, light to moderate traffic, and that me and my vehicle and tires are in excellent condition.

The problem with that argument is one of increments. Ok, so we say 2 mph over the PSL is ok and not really a hazard. We have effective raised the speed limit to 57 (assuming a 55 PSL). Now we can make the simple argument of well, I don't see that 2 mph over 57 is that much of threat either. We can run this way ad infinitum. It has to stop somewhere.

Posted speed limits are effectively a line in the sand. As with any such line, you cross over it with full knowledge of the peril that lies ahead.

[Jethro1984]

The problem with that argument is one of increments. Ok, so we say 2 mph over the PSL is ok and not really a hazard. We have effective raised the speed limit to 57 (assuming a 55 PSL). Now we can make the simple argument of well, I don't see that 2 mph over 57 is that much of threat either. We can run this way ad infinitum. It has to stop somewhere.

Posted speed limits are effectively a line in the sand. As with any such line, you cross over it with full knowledge of the peril that lies ahead.

I completely agree with this explanation. To me, it is about as well as the issue can be explained. Anything in excess of the PSL is just that, in excess. In excess + LEO = possible ticket.

[MEM-TEK]

The problem with that argument is one of increments. Ok, so we say 2 mph over the PSL is ok and not really a hazard. We have effective raised the speed limit to 57 (assuming a 55 PSL). Now we can make the simple argument of well, I don't see that 2 mph over 57 is that much of threat either. We can run this way ad infinitum. It has to stop somewhere.

Posted speed limits are effectively a line in the sand. As with any such line, you cross over it with full knowledge of the peril that lies ahead.

Hi SRT936,

Your argument of increments makes sense to me and does answer my original question. Thanks for both a nicely and clearly written response.

Best Regards,

--Michael

[StudChris]

Actually all of that j*** isn't so true in Florida. We can pull you over for 1 mile over the limit, but we can't ticket until 6.

[InfiniteTeach]

Actually all of that j*** isn't so true in Florida. We can pull you over for 1 mile over the limit, but we can't ticket until 6.

It most certainly varies by location.

[redbird07]

Thanks redbird07,

Its nice to know that the ticket writing threshold has been adopted nationwide at 45mph over the PSL. I have printed out your response since you are a sworn police officer in the state of Maryland and since I know that you would never post inaccurate information since that would imply a lack of integrity, and will stick the printed response in my glove box and use it in court. Indeed, I think I will post my question and your reply elsewhere on the Internet. Just kidding!

But seriously though...

Whatever happened to the 90th percentile as far as setting proper safe speed limits? It could easily be argued that the 90th percentile represents the top of a Bel curve which inherently has a very shallow slope very near to either side of the curve. H, E, double hockey sticks, I can walk faster than 2mph! So I fail to see how driving one or two miles over the PSL poses any kind of potential traffic or accident hazard whatsoever -- assuming dry conditions, light to moderate traffic, and that me and my vehicle and tires are in excellent condition.

Again, the point of my post was actually trying to assist the GSP by not having their vehicle stand out at the front of the pack of cars -- and they do seem to appreciate it as it makes their job easier in catching the flagrant speeders who are very observant of upcoming road and traffic conditions. But maybe thats just here in my neck of the woods. So my question to you is, if you were running radar on a highway, would you not appreciate it if I stayed maybe 5 car lengths ahead of you so that your patrol car didn't stand out against the pack of cars behind you? (I am assuming here that you too are not exceeding the PSL while operating moving radar, simply because you are a LEO.)

Would you really pull me over if all I did was hang out a few car lengths ahead of you, yet after reaching that position I wasn't exceeding the PSL, but in order to get into that position I went maybe two mph over the PSL?

Sincerest Regards,

--Michael

LOL

Go for it. If that was meant to intimidate me, it didnt.

But seriously though. Be sure to get your copies notarized to be official in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Let me know how it works out for you.

[Gene L]

I'm from Georgia. You won't get pulled over for 1 mph over.

[GrayPatriot]

I have escorted oversized vehicles and I would have to travel at 55 in a 65 zone and most cars wouldn't pass me for fear of being pulled over, even though I am 10 under the speed limit.

If you are ever in my patrol area in NY and you creep by me slowly I won't be pulling you over!

[dinanm3atl]

It is a pointless argument. The US government and numerous private agencies have run "speed kills" test in many areas and it is proven the following:

1. Drivers drive at a certain speed they feel comfortable. IE Person X drives at 65 on 55mph highways. If the speed limit is raised to 60 he will still drive 65 because that is where he is comfortable.

2. Multiple test RAISED PSL and the average speed stayed the same or SLIGHTLY rose by maybe .1 or .2

3. Speed does not kill. It is a huge load of crap. lack luster Driving Training kills. Autobahn in Germany has sections of NO PSL and any given section has LESS overall accidents and LESS fatal accidents than ANY stretch of US Highways

Why can we have sections of No PSL's? Here is why:

1. In the US we have EXTREMELY lax rules to get a license. You don't even have to speak english.

2. The driving test is a JOKE! In Europe you have to drive in the snow, drive in the rain. Drive on highways and PROVE you know how to drive. Here you make a left turn. Don't hit the cones. Honk your horn and MAYBE parallel park! MAYBE!

3. Most importantly it is the quickest and easiest way to generate income and that is what it is used for. There is no arguing this it is 100% true.

Why put a 35 zone in the middle of the 45 zone at the bottom of a hill in a commercial business area that is hundreds of yards from intersections?

Why have weird pull offs on highways randomly around corners?

Why have 3 cops sitting side by side by side on the highway when there are murders, hundreds of illegals raping and killing tax paying citizens?

Why? Because it makes money. Plain and Simple.

[StudChris]

It is a pointless argument. The US government and numerous private agencies have run "speed kills" test in many areas and it is proven the following:

1. Drivers drive at a certain speed they feel comfortable. IE Person X drives at 65 on 55mph highways. If the speed limit is raised to 60 he will still drive 65 because that is where he is comfortable.

2. Multiple test RAISED PSL and the average speed stayed the same or SLIGHTLY rose by maybe .1 or .2

3. Speed does not kill. It is a huge load of crap. lack luster Driving Training kills. Autobahn in Germany has sections of NO PSL and any given section has LESS overall accidents and LESS fatal accidents than ANY stretch of US Highways

Why can we have sections of No PSL's? Here is why:

1. In the US we have EXTREMELY lax rules to get a license. You don't even have to speak english.

2. The driving test is a JOKE! In Europe you have to drive in the snow, drive in the rain. Drive on highways and PROVE you know how to drive. Here you make a left turn. Don't hit the cones. Honk your horn and MAYBE parallel park! MAYBE!

3. Most importantly it is the quickest and easiest way to generate income and that is what it is used for. There is no arguing this it is 100% true.

Why put a 35 zone in the middle of the 45 zone at the bottom of a hill in a commercial business area that is hundreds of yards from intersections?

Why have weird pull offs on highways randomly around corners?

Why have 3 cops sitting side by side by side on the highway when there are murders, hundreds of illegals raping and killing tax paying citizens?

Why? Because it makes money. Plain and Simple.

I always like when they say that writing tickets is the easiest way to get revenue. Trust me I wish that was true, and if it was I'd probably be more of a ticket writer... but we get like $4 of the tickets we write.

And I like how you have all of that wonderful "knowledge"... yet you can't read where it says "sworn only".

[dinanm3atl]

I always like when they say that writing tickets is the easiest way to get revenue. Trust me I wish that was true, and if it was I'd probably be more of a ticket writer... but we get like $4 of the tickets we write.

And I like how you have all of that wonderful "knowledge"... yet you can't read where it says "sworn only".

I was not saying it so officers can make money. I am sorry if it came out like that. I mean to make the government money so some politician has more money at his disposal to "do something nice" so he can "round up votes" for next election caimpaign.

Please explain "sworn only"

[StudChris]

I was not saying it so officers can make money. I am sorry if it came out like that. I mean to make the government money so some politician has more money at his disposal to "do something nice" so he can "round up votes" for next election caimpaign.

Please explain "sworn only"

The government and politicians don't make me sit at the same stop sign every morning for 20 minutes. I do it because I want to, because it's where I catch most of my tickets from, and because it's right next to a park where a lot of kids play and are walking around. And none of the money for our tickets go to the politicians, it all goes to things like paying the cost of putting the tickets into the system and things like that, repairing some of the screwed up roads, and schools.

As far as the sworn only goes, responders to questions must be sworn law enforcement only. It is plainly written several times on the boards. A lot of times people slide by because of the attitute and nature of their posts, however from your post don't be surprised if you get banned.