What states do you think have the most lenient speed limit enforcement?
Posted by JR_Elite27@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 321 comments
I’m from CT and it feels like everyone goes at least 75 on the highway where the speed limits are mostly 55 and when the limit is 65 it’s just a free for all. Only time I ever got pulled over was when I did a pull on a back road and got up to 60 in a 25 and even then I only got a warning and a stern talking to. Especially on back roads, people tend to at least go 15 over.
max_m0use@reddit
In Pittsburgh, we have roads that are basically highways but are posted at 40-45. Everyone does 70-80 and I've never seen anyone pulled over.
Big_Negotiation3913@reddit
MA- never seen anyone get pulled over for speeding on the highway unless they were weaving or doing something dangerous other than just going fast.
bloodectomy@reddit
California is incredibly lenient. Most of us are doing 80 on freeways and 5-10 over on surface streets. CHP puts out notices when they intend to enforce speed limits.
That-one_dude-trying@reddit
California sucks when you have a trailer on the highways, 55 is just ridiculous
CuriousNetWanderer@reddit
In Texas, I've seen rolling traffic going 95 between Dallas and Tyler.
wileecoyote-genius@reddit
Texas is crazy. Drove from Corpus Christi to Austin the other day and don’t remember seeing highway patrol at all. I was cruising along going a little —a little— faster than most. I looked down and was doing 110 mph. Not kph, but mph. I backed off to 85 and moved into the slow lane. Sorta freaked me out that I didn’t even notice I was going that fast, but when everyone is driving 95 it is hard to tell
Excellent_Economy762@reddit
Right
ratrodder49@reddit
Was on the way home to central Kansas from Corpus one time. We were going through Austin I think. Left two lanes were crammed, everyone doing 85. Right lane wiiiiiiiiiide open so I jumped over there and held 100 for a minute getting around the cluster.
theadamsmall@reddit
Don’t pass on the right.
dweaver987@reddit
In California it is legal to pass on the right on a divided highway. It really balances out the lanes. Weaving aggressively back and forth between lanes is frowned upon, though.
Aerodude85@reddit
It's legal in CT too on multi lane highways. Or at least the statie that I passed on the right who was being held up by a slow poke in the left lane didn't care when I passed them doing the speed limit in the right lane in a construction zone lol
ratrodder49@reddit
When everyone is clogging up the fast lane, I’m gonna do what I need to do. Just embracing the Texas driver mentality.
DismalAd6639@reddit
Texas is weird because they let a lot of people go but when they get you they fuck you hard.
devilbunny@reddit
Jesus, where are they every time I go through? I’m eternally stuck in piles of traffic doing 70 in a 75.
Excellent_Economy762@reddit
Same in Houston, 80 or more during rush hours
TheDude-Esquire@reddit
The notices of enhanced enforcement are funny, but when they do it, they go all out. Last summer they had cops at every exit in the county for two weeks.
dweaver987@reddit
County was short on revenue.
TheDude-Esquire@reddit
No, it’s all chp, but their enforcement corridor ran the length of the county.
dweaver987@reddit
Driving home from Shasta, I ALWAYS see CHP at the bottom of the hill as you enter Redding. Just after you get out of the curves and hills, and your natural inclination is to accelerate. Definitely expect CHP enforcement through Redding.
ian9921@reddit
Aaah California. The state where going the speed limit feels like obstructing traffic.
I remember driving through one time, the speed limit was 55, I was going 70, and everyone was still passing me. (I might be misremembering the numbers but you get the idea)
belinck@reddit
I was driving a rental Mercedes from Brentwood to John Wayne down the 405 one night, doing 70-5 when get passed by a riced out WRX-STI going well over a hundred in the light traffic. I tightened my wife's seatbelt and followed a mile or so behind him until we got close to our exit where I pulled up even with him and waved goodbye.
No one ever believes me when I tell them I've done that drive in under 30 minutes.
dweaver987@reddit
What were you driving?
belinck@reddit
A Mercedes c300 I think. It was 20 years ago and hertz had upgraded me.
dweaver987@reddit
What out of towners don’t understand is the posted speed limit in California is the MINIMUM speed limit! (At least, that’s how I understand it.)
stuck_behind_a_truck@reddit
That’s because if the freeway is actually open enough to do 80, by God we are doing it. Most of the time in SoCal, you’re lucky if you can drive over 30, especially anywhere in the L.A. area.
dweaver987@reddit
Heh! We made several drives from the Bay Area to Disney when the kids were that age. It was all 80-85 mph until we got to Burbank. Then it slowed way down, and turned into a crawl in through LA proper. It didn’t really pick up again until we were 15 minutes from Anaheim.
FilthyMindz69@reddit
Been on a lot of stretches in Cali where we’ll be a group of cars doing 90-100mph for long stretches. It’s pretty cool.
bloodectomy@reddit
Yeah! We have a LOT of long straight roads with very few turnoffs once you get out into farm country.
hx87@reddit
Flash back to that time I was going 110 on I-15 and got passed by 1) an old minivan full of random clothing and 2) a CHP cruiser
Darryl_Lict@reddit
My car isn't even fast enough to be driving on the 5 in the central valley. Flow of traffic seems to be 90mph. Well, I can putt putt at 75 in the slow lane.
GoCardinal07@reddit
I knew we'd be the top comment! I am a lifelong Californian, and except for that one time I went 112 mph in Merced County while driving from NorCal to SoCal, I've never gotten a speeding ticket in California. All other speeding tickets have been out of state while on vacation.
The one that most annoys me is I got a ticket in South Dakota for going 45 mph in a 35 mph zone on the way to the airport. When I tried to hire one of those companies that fights tickets, they said South Dakota was one of the worst in the nation that it would be unwinnable, and they wouldn't even take my money to try to fight it.
GoCardinal07@reddit
I knew we'd be the top comment!
mickeyanonymousse@reddit
county by county basis. los angeles county sure it’s pretty lenient but Kern county is right next door and they’re strict.
CaptainPunisher@reddit
No, we're not. 80-85 on the freeway is pretty much the norm here as long as you're not doing something stupid in conjunction with speeding or seriously outpacing the rest of traffic.
We are known for our law enforcement shooting bank robbers and violent criminals who flee, though that's been several years since the last incident. There's actually a video somewhere of a helicopter pilot following a chase from LA where the pilot days something like, "He's post the county line. He's as good as dead now."
I also remember in the 80s when LA gangs hit the idea to come up here and rob our banks because they mistakenly thought we were just some small town with Barney Fife as our protection. When their members started going home in boxes, they got the message and stopped.
But, as far as speeding on the 99 and 58, traffic generally flows around 80. I-5 doesn't actually go through Bako, but it self regulates because it's only 2 lanes.
C19shadow@reddit
In my experience in California and Oregon iv only seen people get pulled over when they hot the breaks when they see a cop, or a cop decides they don't like my pickups tinted windows never cause of the speed limit
livelaughlinka@reddit
You’ve never driven on the 50 then lol
bloodectomy@reddit
I have! I'm not a fan 😂
That-one_dude-trying@reddit
I’d say Texas and Georgia are really lax on the interstates, but Oklahoma and Alabama on rural roads and areas, granted doing triple digits in any city is gonna be hard to get away with, but i out pace ambulances often here on the interstate, and never have a problem under 90
ChironXII@reddit
Montana, probably. There are still sections with no enforced speed limits.
In terms of populated areas, Texas.
El_Polio_Loco@reddit
Michigan feels like they'll pull you over for not speeding.
Awards for worst go to Ohio and Virginia.
kettyma8215@reddit
That's funny, Michigan is the only place I've ever gotten a speeding ticket lol. 85 in a 70!
El_Polio_Loco@reddit
What part of Michigan?
I think outside of the Detroit area the state has different expectations.
Around Detroit I remember going 80 in a 70, getting tailgated by an old woman, and as soon as I passed and got out of the lane she blew past me, with a cop behind her waiting for her to get out of the lane and blow past her.
drunkenwildmage@reddit
I was doing 80–85 through Detroit on I-75 and got my doors blown off.......... by a Toyota Prius. You know, getting your doors blown off by a Prius really makes you question your manhood.
kettyma8215@reddit
I was heading north from Ohio, I might have been on 75, so possibly midway between the state line and Detroit.
drunkenwildmage@reddit
That's surprising, that area of 75 is normally a drag strip.
Greedy-Research-859@reddit
In Chicago, it depends on what Expressway. The Dan Ryan is notoriously lawless. I've been flipped off for going 80 in a 55, because it was too slow. Lake Shore Drive, and 55 outside of Chicago, are sticklers for speeding.
I live in rural western Illinois off I-72, and set my cruise control to the exact speed limit when driving locally. There's not a lot of crime here, so the cops just love to sit on I-72 with speed guns. Plus, they print your name in the paper if you get a moving violation and people read those reports like hawks. I don't want to hear it.
(They also put your name in the paper if you're late paying your property taxes. Those editions sell like hotcakes. People like to gossip.)
Jazzvinyl59@reddit
NYC, all of downstate NY really.
I have never heard of anyone getting a speeding ticket other than from an automated camera.
stjhnstv@reddit
Well, speed kills fuel economy. So if you’re driving faster, you’re buying more fuel and paying more taxes. Thousands of speeding drivers makes the state more money than a handful of tickets would. So unless you’re really being stupid, most states take the easy route and let you waste your money at the pumps.
Difficult_Pause_4350@reddit
Fucking not Virginia or Delaware
rhino369@reddit
Illinois doesn't seem too bad. Virginia is way worse.
Educational-Bad4992@reddit
Virginia will try to destroy your life for going 15 over.
JR_Elite27@reddit (OP)
I’ve heard to never even think about going even 1 over in Virginia or they’ll give you generational debt
PeorgieT75@reddit
In the eternal work zones on 64 E of Richmond, they have speed cameras and you get a civil fine in the mail.
Vert354@reddit
That reputation comes from enforcement in and around Emporia, which is on i-95 just north of the border with North Carolina (not really in Tidewater as someone else said). It's also a little dated at this point. Ever since COVID, in person speed enforcement has been at a minimum.
What has increased in the last few years is camera based enforcement. The permanent cameras installed in school zones seem to work as indented, but several rural counties have been playing fast and loose with the temporary work zone cameras.
BjornAltenburg@reddit
Virginia, especially south of Norfolk to the border is miserable and should be avoided. I worked for the state and drove all over Virginia for my job. That stretch is something else.
Transcon249@reddit
Yep. The areas around Tidewater like Emporia are well known speed trips.
BjornAltenburg@reddit
4 tickets in one day. 2 were for doing 2 and 3 over and another was for dangerous driving under. I was even driving a state fleet vehicle for VDACS wearing my uniform. I literally would take the most dangerous and remote coal country roads any day of the week over dealing with that again a nd having to higher laywers to defend myself. Genrally Virginia was nice and I enjoyed my time in Blacksburg.
PabloPicasshooole@reddit
I think after the second ticket, I'd probably slow down, but maybe that's just me.
BjornAltenburg@reddit
I drove under and got a ticket for dangerous driving. Or maybe reckless, it didn't stick, but still got pulled over.
slayer1am@reddit
Did the tickets get tossed out in court? Need the rest of the story here..,
BjornAltenburg@reddit
3 did, and one judge outright fuses to toss any speeding ticket so best we could do is a mechanical failure since I had a clean record of 10+ years. Literally never had a ticket in my life tell Virginia.
Traditional_Entry183@reddit
The traffic in Tidewater is awful too. I feel like the further east you drive from Richmond, the worse the entire driving experience is.
LowCress9866@reddit
I lived in NOVA for 15 years and this is not remotely my experience. Down south? Maybe, but i rarely went as south as Richmond. Hell, I didn't get south of Fredericksburg too much. But I can say up north the police don't bother seeing up speed traps because most of the time you're lucky to be doing 55
Combat__Crayon@reddit
I lived in VA and IL. In IL 20 over is the same ticket that you get for 1 over. In VA its reckless driving.
rhino369@reddit
20 over is a misdemeanor. I've had to learn to drive slower, so I guess it works.
elphaba00@reddit
I got caught doing 76 in a 65 in Illinois. I was traveling with the rest of the cars, but for the state cop, it was like shooting fish in a barrel. There are also some notorious speed traps around me that, as soon as I hit them, I make sure my cruise control is set for that speed limit.
Blobwad@reddit
Weird. My experience mostly in the Chicago suburbs area/tollway is 15 over is barely keeping up with traffic.
Knock on wood I’ve done about 9 over my whole life in WI, IL, and road trips with no issues.
houdini31@reddit
Were you an out of stater?
elphaba00@reddit
Nope. It was my daily commute.
houdini31@reddit
Gotcha-sorry that sucks bad and especially since you were going with traffic
obtusewisdom@reddit
Granted it was a long time ago, but I grew up in Illinois and it was the WORST for speed traps. They would nail you and ticket you for going even 5 over.
JtotheC23@reddit
There a major difference between high ways and local roads, particularly Cook County local roads. Cook County is littered with speed traps, and the sheriffs love to camps them to screw you.
On the interstate, particularly outside of Chicagoland, state troopers are pretty chill and will let you go as long you make an obvious effort to get below 5 over. I’ve even seen people going 95+ slam to breaks to get below 75 be fine, even when it was obvious the trooper could see the 95 on their radar.
obtusewisdom@reddit
Maybe now. When I lived there they would 100% nail you in DuPage and Will counties.
eskimoboob@reddit
It has gotten way more lax, especially after Covid. Maybe individual stops haven’t changed but I don’t see nearly as many cops out doing traffic stops as I used to, feels like
kettyma8215@reddit
Virginia is the one state I won't speed in. Was coming home to KY from DC once, my car but my friend was driving. She is a habitual 80-90 mph girl and was going 86 in a 65. Cop debated on arresting her, we sat on the side of the road for at least an hour. Ended up with a ticket that was around $300-$400 and that was in maybe 2009-2010. My husband also lived in VA for a time and freaks out if we drive through and I go even 5 over.
Sprucecaboose2@reddit
The trick is small towns along an interstate. They love to drop the speed limit within their city limits and grab out of towners.
Traditional_Entry183@reddit
As someone whos lived most of my life in WV, VA and PA, its eye opening to see those listed as the toughest. Its just all ive known as normal. Cops are out to get you, both on the interstate and locally.
wekilledbambi03@reddit
I'm from NJ and I've known many people from here that have been given tickets in VA. There are a few areas that have big speed limit changes and cops camp there. I believe they purposely target out of state people because they are less likely to fight the ticket since they would have to come in person. However I also know 2 people from here that got tickets that had mandatory court appearances.
Whenever I drive through VA I make sure that cruise control is set to 5mph over tops.
Traditional_Entry183@reddit
Ive lived here 20+ years and I would never drive more than 5 over. I get uncomfortable driving out of state on vacation when everyone else on the road is going 10+ over and flying past me.
Combat__Crayon@reddit
VA has a low threshold for reckless driving. Especially as someone from IL where 20 over was still the same ticket/fine/points as 1 over and up to 25 over was just a slightly higher fine. You had to be going more than 25 over to trigger stiffer penalties. I learned to drive thinking 75 on 55 mph roads was the norm.
I did a road trip out east and had to drive I-80 through PA and I think there was a state trooper at like every 3rd turn turnaround behind a berm. Having to go the speed limit the entire way made it feel like we were never going to get out of the state.
Traditional_Entry183@reddit
The only ticket ive ever gotten was 25 years ago, going 76 in a 70, passing a tractor trailer. $150 back then, when I was young and poor. It was hard. Ive been super careful ever since, because they're everywhere
SkiingAway@reddit
VA did recently raise the automatic threshold to 85mph instead of 80mph, but 20 over the limit still counts as well.
Steavee@reddit
Nah, outside of the Chicagoland area and eSTL metro, don’t speed. They’re dicks. At least they were back when I was driving through.
Aggressive-Emu5358@reddit
I was passed today as I was going 95mph on I-25 by a string of multiple cars. There was a Colorado State Trooper on the opposite side of the highway. Nobody even appeared to slow down for appearances sake. Every once in a while they decide to be extremely strict for a week but it inevitably changes nothing.
MortimerDongle@reddit
Pennsylvania bans all police except state troopers from using radar or laser, not sure if any other states have a similar law. There are also limits on when tickets can be issued if police are using radar/laser, you can only be cited if you're going at least 11 mph over the limit on a road with a 55+ mph speed limit.
CuriousNetWanderer@reddit
Alabama has a law where no town with a population under 10,000 can run speed traps on the highway. It's pretty convenient because there's pretty much no towns of a population over 10,000 between Montgomery and Mobile so people just go crazy until you get to that one town with an Indian casino.
dweaver987@reddit
Is there a state highway patrol (as opposed to city) in AL?
CuriousNetWanderer@reddit
There is, but they're not going out into the middle of the nowhere unless they have to. I've made that trip more often than I can count and seen state troopers on the road only a handful of times and they were always seemingly on their way somewhere else.
Okra-Tomatoes@reddit
That's because towns like Repton AL used speed traps as a cash grab.
Ok-Voice-5699@reddit
reading about that place is nuts.
Dear-Bet5344@reddit
Last time I went through Birmingham it was around 9 or 10pm. That spot where all the highways meet up is like a race track after dark. People were flying!
It made Boston look tame.
martlet1@reddit
We were doing 85 and getting passed and honked at. Same spot
Grindar1986@reddit
Mississippi has also done so, except maybe thr city of Jackson? I know there's one random exception.
devilbunny@reddit
The general rule in Mississippi is that sheriffs can’t run radar. Highway patrol can, and larger-city police. Jackson certainly does. Madison does.
Quick search says Hinds County sheriff’s office (Jackson is in its northeastern corner) can, and Lowndes County (Columbus, so northeastern part of the state) can. But otherwise, on country roads, if it’s not the MHP, no radar.
James_T_S@reddit
This is insane to me. I'm in Arizona where they have photo radar...and they used to have it on the freeways. I was in the minority who liked it. It made traffic flow smoother. You could get in the fast lane and set the cruise control to 9 over the limit and just go. No idiots trying to go 20 over and the people going the limit seemed to not get in that lane anymore.
MortimerDongle@reddit
Limiting it to state troopers is maybe not as restrictive as it sounds... We have a lot of state troopers, about as many as New York and Texas.
Municipal police can do speed enforcement, but they mainly use stopwatches and lines painted on the road to do it. This makes it obvious where the speed traps are. I guess the idea was to make it difficult for small towns to use speeding tickets to generate revenue
ZTH-Yankee@reddit
And they barely ever patrol to start with, at least I my area.
I work a normal 9-5 and commute about 50 miles round trip a day (10 miles on local roads, 15 miles on a US highway, 25 miles on an interstate). If there's a construction zone on the highway, there will be a state trooper in the construction zone. If it's the day before or the day after a holiday weekend, there will be 1 or 2 somewhere on one of the highways. And aside from that, I might see one every 3 months.
I used to drive US-15 from Williamsport to the NY border pretty regularly when I was in college, and I think I saw maybe 1 or 2 cops on the PA side in total. Compared to probably 5-6 every trip after crossing into NY.
Just last weekend, I went on a road trip from central PA up I-87 in NY. 0 cops the whole time I was in PA, over a dozen in NY.
nowordsleft@reddit
And only state troopers can do speed patrols on interstates.
TsundereLoliDragon@reddit
Yeah, I've never had an issue here.
j_tonks@reddit
PA is crazy lenient. I used to set my cruise control to 70 in 55 zones and never once worried about getting pulled over. Cops really don't care until you're doing about 80. When I was young and stupid I would often average around 90 on the highway no matter what the speed limit was and I only got pulled over once for doing 91 in a 55 zone, got a small fine and a point or two when I absolutely should've had my license confiscated on the spot.
ScoopiTheDruid@reddit
Years ago I was on the western half of I80 and nearly got run off the road because 90mph in the right lane was too slow.
AshleySchaeffer-BMW@reddit
dweaver987@reddit
I’m driving this summer from California to Indiana (and back). I’ll be on I-70 and/or I-80 most of the time. Where are the riskiest places for a ticket on this route? Where will my California plates attract the most unwanted attention?
(I will be driving a camper van, so I won’t be going 80. I mostly find myself at 70-75.)
ATLien_3000@reddit
Montana is still the answer.
PitbullLoveFart@reddit
As someone who moved to CT from California, CT enforces nothing. You can literally run a red light in front of the cops and they won't do shit. They're too busy monitoring tree trimming.
Common_Vagrant@reddit
I’ve seen someone cut off a cop in Stamford when the cop was making a left turn (person blew the most blatant red) and the cop didn’t give a shit. I was stoked to finally see someone get pulled over but it didn’t happen.
JR_Elite27@reddit (OP)
Lol yeah
devkdup@reddit
In Louisiana cops will let you go 90+ on the interstate all day but we also have a LOT of places with blatant speed traps in poorer parishes because it’s how they make money.
ChampionshipBetter91@reddit
I'm from Texas, and you're right when it comes to highways. Freeways, no. Too much traffic and too many cops.
But I've been to Massachusetts and those drivers are INSANE - I legitimately feared for my life.
PhilTheThrill1808@reddit
Texas, at least in the major metros. In mine you have GK be damn near reckless driving charges before any of the cops would consider pulling you over for even a second.
sluttypidge@reddit
Highway patrol in my area cracked down. I see two people pulled over by the same officers on a 30 mile stretch every morning when I'm driving home from work.
DissonantVerse@reddit
Same around here. And honestly, thank god, bc it was getting to be fucking ridiculous with the constant road closures due to accidents. The speed limit is already 75 and traffic is heavy with a huge portion of it being semi trucks that aren't going more than 70 at the best of times. There's absolutely no need for anyone to be doing 90 and weaving in and out of traffic like a jackass.
PhilTheThrill1808@reddit
Glad to hear it, honestly. I’m generally all for people going the speed at which they’re comfortable regardless of limits, but it gets very, very wild in my area. There needs to be some level of enforcement.
sluttypidge@reddit
Honestly I have had people pass me almost daily when I've gone 80 on that road. It needed to happen.
ratrodder49@reddit
Even reckless is free game, according to Dorrough
Tacoshortage@reddit
I do New Orleans to Ft. Worth regularly and the difference in police presence is 10:1 over Louisiana and the number of vehicles pulled over is likewise 10:1 for both highways and in cities. Texas just has way more people though and it is a free-for-all in the cities.
Specialist_Cable_899@reddit
Yep. Houston or Dallas metro is a free for all. The rest you better be careful bc those country cops will get you all day.
QuinceDaPence@reddit
Can confirm, went with the flow of traffic during covid times in Houston and looked down and realized I was doing 90 along with the other 10 cars in view.
Specialist_Cable_899@reddit
I can do 90 in a 60 and get past by a cop lol
LimeMargarita@reddit
In college, I took a carpool to a concert in Houston. The driver on the way there went the speed limit to downtown Houston. I was afraid for my life!
Specialist_Cable_899@reddit
only place worse, and I’ve traveled a lot, is south beach area in Miami. literally lawless lol
atsinged@reddit
Deputy Sheriff in Texas, we're too busy running call to call to do much traffic enforcement. If we are then we're watching for the guy not running with the flow of traffic. If traffic is moving 75 in a 65 zone and it's nice and smooth we're not pulling out, just don't be the guy weaving in and out and tailgating everyone to go faster when traffic is already flowing 10 over, that gets our attention.
Once in a while some piece of road gets deemed a problem, locals complaining or higher number of accidents and we will enforce heavily, we want drivers to see a lot of stops there so it gets a reputation for being a bad place to speed. Those stretches are when you will see like 2 or 3 (more if we get DPS working with us) police cars working just a few miles of road. We're also more likely to ticket rather than warn when we are doing this because some county official has decided to make a point. We're not a big ticketing agency, it's not a metric we are reviewed on, admin wants citizen contacts, which can take a lot of forms.
Difficult-Ad2084@reddit
As a Californian who's been to Texas, that's pretty fucking accurate. I didn't think that they're were worse drivers outside of the Bay Area until I went to Dallas. Then I explored the rest of the interstate system over there and I now think they are attempting to do some kind of "Mad Max" type of thing over there. But the second you get off the freeway is like every town has 3 cops for every citizen, it's fucking weird.
CoffeeGoblynn@reddit
On the highway in NY, I've never seen them pull anyone over for speeding unless it was more than 20mph over the limit. With how unsafe highway stops can be, I think it's not worthwhile to them unless they can hit someone with felony speeding.
itijara@reddit
I was pulled over for less than 15 over. My only speeding ticket.
PokeCaptain@reddit
True for the Thruway, but the parkways are massive speed traps (except maybe the OSP).
Sassmaster008@reddit
Do you ever drive the parkways? I've seen them pull people over for 10 over on the parkways.
CoffeeGoblynn@reddit
Yeah, although I feel like most of the time traffic is either going 10 over, or it's badly congested. On a 40mph parkway it's always a coinflip between going 50 or 30 depending on the time of day and the season.
SkiingAway@reddit
I-87/I-90, yes.
I-88/I-86 - you can absolutely get pulled for 11 over.
(I haven't driven the others often enough to have opinions).
CoffeeGoblynn@reddit
My experience is mostly with the 90. I don't travel very much. xD
thedrowsyowl@reddit
I drove from Buffalo to Charlotte to Richmond to Buffalo for a road trip. I saw probably 4-5 speed traps before hitting the PA border and 0 for the rest of the trip until returning to NY state lol
CoffeeGoblynn@reddit
I don't travel much, but I will say that from my limited trips down to Ohio from Buffalo, I don't think I've seen any speed traps on the highway past the NY border. And most of them are concentrated up closer to Buffalo.
the_real_JFK_killer@reddit
On i90 ive seen people going over 115 and cops didnt care.
Sarcosmonaut@reddit
As a Texan, my driving sin (and for many others) is cruising in the left lane lol
I only do that when I’m in Texas though
A_Possum_Named_Steve@reddit
Also a Texan, and I hate your stinking guts.
Sarcosmonaut@reddit
I’m working on it
A_Possum_Named_Steve@reddit
At least you have self-awareness about it, which is more than I can say for some.
CoffeeGoblynn@reddit
I've seen people do that, but not specifically past a cop. You really see some absolute psychos out there though.
the_wyandotte@reddit
I’m from NY and my immediate response was “not NY”
Always funny to see how 2 people can experience the same thing but view it so differently
CoffeeGoblynn@reddit
Yeah, to be fair, every state has different regions that operate different, even on different days. I'm from WNY.
TheJunkmother@reddit
CT and the surrounding states have a lower max speed limit than the majority of the rest of the country. I’ve always assumed that’s why enforcement is more lenient through MA, CT, NY and NJ. I-95 should have a higher limit than it does in CT.
mistiklest@reddit
Also, if traffic is doing 20 over, it can be safer to go with the flow of traffic than insist on going much slower.
CoffeeGoblynn@reddit
Absolutely. If I'm not comfortable going as fast as traffic in the left lane, I'll just get over and let them haul ass. xD
bryku@reddit
The Midwest is very strict. If you d9nt stop long enough at a stop sign, ticket. If you are more then 2mph over, ticket.
California is the most lenient place ive seen. Stop sign, why stop you wont get pulled over. 70mph sign and everyone is going 80...even the police will honk at your slow ass.
Montana is like a hybrid between the too. If you are in town they are very strict like the midwest, but if you are outside if town you are free to be a dumbass. OK maybe not quite that literal, but they are pretty lenient.
ecobooms550@reddit
In Texas we have a few roads with 80mph speed limits and at least one with 85mph.
It’s not uncommon to do triple digits on those.
And 10-20 over on 70-75 mph roads.
Impedimentita@reddit
I can confirm it is definitely not Navajo Nation. Those guys are sticklers.
wildtech@reddit
I drive highways 89 and 160 regularly and have for years. It's warp speeds most of the time, especially on 89, and I can't recall seeing anyone pulled over ever.
Impedimentita@reddit
Well shoot, maybe it’s just me.
diescheide@reddit
I will speed everywhere except the rez. Once I hit sovereign land, it's speed limit time.
tcspears@reddit
Once you leave New England it’s much more lax. I did a roadtrip during the Pandemic in a Tesla from Boston to Seattle and once I got through New England and NY, I just set the autopilot to 100 and didn’t run into any issues (and was passed several times).
tila1993@reddit
Def not Indiana. You'll get pulled over for anything more than 5 over the limit, and with more state highways/interstate roads than anywhere else in the country they really like to rack up tickets.
Active_Drawer@reddit
States as a whole vary.
I have gotten warnings for 20+ over. Certain cities/counties would bust you for 3 over though.
PPKA2757@reddit
Arizona is pretty lax. People, including cops, regularly drive well over the speed limit, hardly ever see cops pulling folks over.
There’s a running joke in the Phoenix metro; “101 isn’t the name of the freeway, it’s the minimum speed”
sadthrow104@reddit
Phoenix drivers sometimes feel like suicidal maniacs
hx87@reddit
It's more the blown tires and broken down cars than the speed. Seriously, I've never seen that density of shredded tires and breakdowns anywhere else.
sadthrow104@reddit
Desert heat is really hard on tires
hx87@reddit
I'm guessing cars coming with (cheap) all seasons by default instead of summer tires with harder, more heat-resistant compounds doesn't help either.
ThePickleConnoisseur@reddit
Wait until you see Tucson
machagogo@reddit
I read a while back (years) that the main highway in Phoenix was littered with speed cameras that were very strict, did they get rid of them or was never true?
PPKA2757@reddit
Correct. There used to be a ton of speed cameras along most major freeways, including the 101 I mentioned. They got taken down like 10 years ago? Idk, it’s been a while though.
Funnily enough I recall a “fun” story when the cameras were up: IIRC the law with the speed cameras were that they took a picture of the driver and the license plate, the ticket would be mailed to the address of the registration. There was a check box that basically stated “the person pictured is not me” and you could dispute the ticket that way.
Anyway, there was a somewhat famous local news story about a guy who would get caught speeding all the time, doing ridiculous speeds like 100+ mph wearing a gorilla mask (local Suns mascot mask I think) and avoiding tickets. Almost 40 of them at the height of his eventual arrest.
Basically they would mail the tickets, they couldn’t prove it was him because of the mask and he wouldn’t pay them. Eventually the state police did like a sting operation to catch him wearing the mask at his house or something, which made the news.
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna32806142
machagogo@reddit
That's a fun story. We never had speed cameras, but we did have red light cameras for a while. The companies managing them got caught shortening the yellows and mailing out notices too late to avoid late fees so they all got removed.
eyetracker@reddit
Real ID ruined this I think but AZ drivers license expiration dates were always wild to look at because they were dated to the person's age 65.
Lovemybee@reddit
Came here to say this. We are in the Wild West, after all. I will often hang behind and keep pace with a Highway Patrol car doing 90+ on the 101.
LiquidDreamtime@reddit
Florida and California are very lenient. Indiana is absolutely not.
MagnumForce24@reddit
Michigan is very lenient
quietlywatching6@reddit
My experience is South Carolina, yeah, a few pockets where the city/town needs the money, but mostly no issues. Though SC roads do make you more careful. Those are some awful roads. Though never to the extent of that last example. 60 in a 25 would get you pulled over. But 25 basically means you are in a school zone. Though given you are talking CT, I question if you get some leeway for other reasons. I live in NC, we are pretty chill in most places as long as you aren't endangering kids. You would have been in lock-up for 60 in a 25. But if its flow of traffic, no one cares.
PM_Sexy_Leg_Pics@reddit
My experience is the opposite. On the SC side of the 77, I’ll see the occasional state trooper pulling someone over. The second I cross into NC, it’s mad max on freeways. People driving on the shoulder, weaving through traffic doing 20+ over with fake paper plates or no plates at all, people driving on the wrong side of the road. And no police enforcement whatsoever.
quietlywatching6@reddit
Are you in Charlotte? B/c yeah, Charlotte is its own beast, especially the freeways, and the Loop. I see crazy things on the Freeways, that wouldn't happen anywhere else in the City, or the state. I take stop and go traffic over going on the 485 to 85, and I won't touch 77 between Baxter (SC) and Huntersville with my mind much less my car. I will get 49 to 21.
PM_Sexy_Leg_Pics@reddit
Yeah in Charlotte. Did Rock Hill to Uptown for years and just recently moved to Belmont. Traded commuting on the 77 for the 85, and I’m not sure which is worse.
pikkdogs@reddit
North Dakota. But for a different reason.
Speeding tickets here are like 8 bucks.
Long story short is that when the federal government was mandating speeding laws they tied money to them, so states had to have them or lose money. So ND instituted them, but wasn’t happy about it. So they put a low fine and the that fine has stood ever since.
wonderbeen@reddit
Well, it can’t be Texas. Because all of the cars with Texas plates that are driving around NWFL seem to think that the left lane is their personal lane & they only go 5 mph above the limit
Stock-Swing-797@reddit
Definitely not Texas. Eastbound I-10 drops to a bullshit 60mph (or it used to) east of Beaumont and is heavily patrolled.
hx87@reddit
Urban and West Texas are pretty lax. It's the small towns in other regions that go hard on enforcement.
sadthrow104@reddit
Texas and Oklahoma are a land mine of small town speed traps
Dear-Bet5344@reddit
Texas also has quite a few areas they don't patrol at all. They're out in the boonies. Like 1-1/2, 2hrs away from a real grocery store
When we were Rv'ing around we passed a few signs that said something like. Beyond this sign you're on your own. Police don't patrol out here. No cell service. Make sure you can self rescue if you get in trouble.
LawnJerk@reddit
The fine could be 10 cents, it's always the insurance rate increase that kills you.
pikkdogs@reddit
if you make it a habit. If you just get 1, you may not even see an increase at all. And if you do it will be small. But, yeah, if you do it all the time it's going to get you eventually.
Atomic_Horseshoe@reddit
Does insurance also play along? Here the speeding ticket itself wasn’t so bad, but I ended up paying many times that in increased insurance costs over a few years.
pikkdogs@reddit
Sure, your insurance company could still make you pay. You just won't have that speeding ticket that is intimidating. But, that's only if you keep getting them. If you just get 1, you won't see your premiums change.
Appropriate_Cow94@reddit
I remember back around 2007 or so we we flying through on 94 and got pinged coming over a hill well over 100. It was like the most minimal ticket. We were used to Michigan where a 5 over can be $300.
I dont remember the exact cost but it seemed like a joke at the time.
Fickle-Banana-923@reddit
That was going to be my answer as well. Got a ticket for 12 over in Dickinson on my way to Yellowstone. Worried about it my whole trip. Got home, looked up the fine and laughed.
HerkeJerky@reddit
My understanding is that the speed limits are higher, but you do get pulled over for exceeding them more often. Minnesota you’re safe going 77 in a 70, 66 in a 60, etc..
BjornAltenburg@reddit
We also did it under the pretense of getting people to spend more money on gas from speeding and choosing ND over SD going cross country. Generally the tickets would mostly be punitive against ourselves since so few people drive through ND. The wind makes it stupidly dangerous for truckers and most anyone who doesnt drive the roads regularly.
PokeCaptain@reddit
To be fair, the Connecticut Autobahn (AKA the Merritt) is a bit of an exception by national standards.
elpollodiablox@reddit
At one point Montana removed speed limits, and while they have since reestablished them, I think it's still pretty loosey-goosey over there.
bigbyandsnow@reddit
South Dakota’s interstate…everybody does 100. Do they even have State troopers? All I saw were signs for Wall Drugs.
TiredPistachio@reddit
I"m not saying its MA, but for some context I'll add some info.
Many speed limits seem artificially low.
I95 - Speed limit is 55 most of the way, but people do 75 all the time, I hardly ever see people pulled over. I'll do 65 with 0 concern about being pulled over. When I'm doing 65 people will pass me like I'm barely moving
Rte2 - Heading into the Boston suburbs, is a divided highway with limits at 45 for long stretches. People do 65 all the time. Never seen someone pulled over.
Police tolerance of speeding post covid is super high
ConfidentFuel885@reddit
Not Georgia lol
Icy-Role2321@reddit
We have so many small counties and those cops love to sit on the interstate
Then you got the final boss the GSP
karmapolice63@reddit
Everywhere but Ohio is pretty lenient on speeding
GenericUsername19892@reddit
It’s not by state but by area - TX gives very few fucks outside of suburbia, it has to be egregious on roads that are already 75-85 mph. I drove by a cop doing just under 100 and no fucks were given.
Lopsided-Letter1353@reddit
PA is the most lax of the tri-state area.
Philly had a whole show about the Parking Wars! Too much real stuff going on to worry with traffic infractions.
Had a guy hit me in an intersection. Cops arrived 90min later.
Glad I left Philly.
Hannibam86@reddit
Sure as hell ain't Ohio 😂😂😂
dieplanes789@reddit
"Speed enforced by aircraft" signs are all you need to know about how the state highway patrol is there.
pancho_y_lefty@reddit
I don’t know about the state overall but if you get a speeding ticket in Atlanta you did some outlandish shit.
mads_61@reddit
One time I got pulled over by a trooper in Montana and he said that since I was going less than 20 over the speed limit if I gave him $20 cash he wouldn’t give me a ticket 😂
Rocknrollsk@reddit
There was a time when parts of Montana had no speed limit. Just signs that said “Reasonable and Prudent”. I think they changed that though because a bunch of people from L.A. were taking 150mph joy rides in their Lambos.
174wrestler@reddit
The Montana Supreme Court ruled in 1998 that it was unconstitutionally vague.
angrysquirrel777@reddit
My dad got a ticket in Montana for going like 7mph over on i94 by Billings.
See-A-Moose@reddit
New Jersey, easily. I have a lead foot and will routinely pass people all the way up to the NJ border doing 15 over... Until I get into NJ and then people are passing me doing 20-25 over. Not super aggressive, but man do they drive fast.
KrasnyRed5@reddit
California can be lenient. I have been doing 80 in a 55 and been passed by the CHP doign 90 at least. Unless you are driving erratically they don't seem to care
ThePickleConnoisseur@reddit
CA actually has flow of traffic laws. So going 60 can get you a ticket if everyone else is going 80
clarkw024@reddit
Everybody thinks it’s their state
Tomagander@reddit
I'd be surprised if Ohioans did.
anneofgraygardens@reddit
Only speeding ticket I've ever gotten was in Ohio.
kettyma8215@reddit
52 in Ohio right along the Ohio River - I won't even go over there if I can avoid it. They camp out between Wheelersburg and South Point. I know people who got tickets going 56 in a 55 there. Elsewhere in Ohio it's never been an issue for me, but I absolutely avoid that area.
BananaJelloXlii@reddit
Local police and State troopers pull people over all the time on the 77s corridor between 224 and the Canton/Akron airport. But tbf, Summit County police have a facility by the airport, as does State Highway Patrol.
Such_Chemistry3721@reddit
Def not Georgia!
LawnJerk@reddit
It likely is. Compared to the 70s-80s, the number of highway patrol officers per mile driven on highways is way down. Troopers are spending more and more time helping stranded motorists and dealing with crashes and on the rare time they do speed enforcement, instead of getting someone for going 10 over, they can easily get someone for 20+ over without waiting too long.
I_amnotanonion@reddit
Nah, I live in Virginia. They’re are not lenient at all here
OhThrowed@reddit
It ain't mine.
livens@reddit
I've seen at least 30 states listed in the comments so far 😂.
silentsnak3@reddit
I have family in Mass, so I drive through CT once or twice a year. Speed wise, yea once you hit Maryland it is like the green flag has been waved.
But please tell me WTH do CT drivers slam on their brakes for no reason? Every time I have gone through the state, inevitably someone on a 4 lane will just slam on the brakes. I was warned by my in-laws the first time, but did not believe it would happen. I was very wrong.
JustAnotherDay1977@reddit
Based on the comments, most everyone seems to think their state is the most lenient. But if we want to talk most strict, I think we can all agree it’s Iowa.
ColumbiaWahoo@reddit
Maryland/Pennsylvania
mapsflagsandstats@reddit
CT issues the least traffic citation rate, but a relatively high accident rate, whereas a state like Michigan has a low citation rate and the lowest accident rate.
What doesn’t make sense in Michigan is that you can drive 90+ on the freeways and probably won’t be pulled over and probably won’t get into an accident, but it doesn’t matter because you still pay the highest insurance premium in the nation. That being said, a lot of people want to blame no-fault, but it’s not no-fault that drives costs up to the #1 spot, it’s that in Michigan if you get into an auto accident resulting in injury your insurance is required to cover medical expenses indefinitely. That’s unique to Michigan.
SkiingAway@reddit
You've said it doesn't make sense and then explained exactly why it makes perfect sense....
mapsflagsandstats@reddit
Sorry, I should’ve included “to most people”
AyAyAyBamba_462@reddit
ATL is pretty forgiving as long as it's not the end of the month. I-75 outside of 285 is basically a runway, you'll see people going 100mph in a 55 if traffic allows for it.
The left lane on 285 is typically going around 80-90mph if it can.
Space-Robot@reddit
Idk Miami's enforcement is pretty rough. What they do is instead of pulling you over for speeding they just let you drive recklessly until you kill yourself or someone else.
I know Miami isn't a state but it isn't really Florida either.
DDX1837@reddit
Not a state, but the closer you get to Atlanta, speed limit signs become a vague suggestion.
Inspi@reddit
Anything less than 20mph over the limit on the highways in Florida and the cops are probably going to get annoyed and pass you for being too slow.
In the cities, it's probably 10 over.
Except if they catch you in a school zone. Then they are serious.
Phoenix_Court@reddit
Texas. Not only do we have higher speed limits here than other states, but driving the speed limit is damn near seen as a moral failure. I try not to go more than 10-15 over depending where I am, and people will often blow past me or tailgate me. 20+ over isn't uncommon here. And cops won't really pull you over unless youre driving recklessly, in a school zone (good God never speed in a school zone in Texas), or driving at speeds considered dangerous (i.e. above 90).
cyvaquero@reddit
Texas. Posted speed limits of up to 75 in city and you can easily go 10 over without worry.
Fastest posted speed limit in the U.S. of 85 on the 130 toll road. I go 90 and have been passed like I was standing still.
OGMom2022@reddit
I’m in TN and if you’re scared to do 85-90 in the interstate please take the back roads. 😆
W3inerSchnitze1@reddit
I have gone 90+ in Texas for 200 miles straight before.
I’ve also gone 38 in a 35 and got a ticket. So idk
Cowboywizard12@reddit
Montana maybe Wyoming
Loisgrand6@reddit
60 in a 25? You got off Scot free
JR_Elite27@reddit (OP)
And he didn’t even fully pull me over he just turned his lights on, I pulled over and he pulled up next to me in his squad car and yelled at me for a few minutes
JR_Elite27@reddit (OP)
Yeah I think he didn’t clock me on radar, or he was about do get off his shift idk, either way I Probably should’ve gotten my license suspended
No-Banana247@reddit
Texas police can pull you over for anything over the speed limit but unless you are in a small town the often don't.
We follow a 'prima facie' system. If you get pulled over for speeding but can prove it was safe you can get out of the ticket.
That's why when everyone is going 90 on a sunny day on IH35 and a cop gets on the highway he'll likely go as fast as everyone else and only pull over someone who is bobbing through the traffic.
If it's raining he might pull someone over. There's a mythical unspoken rule you can do 10 over and always be safe. Depends on the cop, the weather, the road and the day tbh
SUBCHAPTER H. SPEED RESTRICTIONS
Sec. 545.351. MAXIMUM SPEED REQUIREMENT. (a) An operator may not drive at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances then existing. (b) An operator: (1) may not drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard for actual and potential hazards then existing; and (2) shall control the speed of the vehicle as necessary to avoid colliding with another person or vehicle that is on or entering the highway in compliance with law and the duty of each person to use due care. (c) An operator shall, consistent with Subsections (a) and (b), drive at an appropriate reduced speed if: (1) the operator is approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing; (2) the operator is approaching and going around a curve; (3) the operator is approaching a hill crest; (4) the operator is traveling on a narrow or winding roadway; and (5) a special hazard exists with regard to traffic, including pedestrians, or weather or highway conditions.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.109, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
scottwax@reddit
Texas seems lenient outside of small towns, I can be going 10 over on the tollways, get passed by someone else and the cops don't stop them. I think they're more looking for dangerous or aggressive speeders. People weaving in and out of traffic, blasting past traffic at 100+, stuff like that.
washtucna@reddit
Montana.
igwaltney3@reddit
Florida
thewNYC@reddit
I have no problem, driving fast, but I cannot stand it when people drive fast and unsafely. And I have to say drug Mann in Connecticut. I saw some of the most bonehead testosterone fueled maneuvers on highway ever.
Piper-Bob@reddit
Florida. In particular south Florida. If you're on I-95 near Fort Lauderdale, you can be going 75 in the right lane and you'll be the slowest car on the highway.
Butimthedudeman@reddit
Generally, you're gonna get more leniency in unincorporated county areas, and less so in municipalities. (Deputy vs police) but dont f with Georgia State Patrol. They dont play
LineCookGrind@reddit
Nevada was pretty bad. Particularly Las Vegas. I was pulled over for doing 45 in a 35 (but the road i turned off of was 45mph and I assumed it stayed the same). But I’ve seen people do 90mph-120mph on the highway in supercars. Probably tourists renting supercars but still very deadly.
I was living in Las Vegas when Henry Ruggs III was driving 156mph in his Corvette and rear ended and killed 23 Year old Tina Tintor and her dog in a car fire. That’s finally when we saw some LVMPD take it serious and start pulling people over for a few months. Then it went back to normal speeding.
cHaNgEuSeRnAmE102@reddit
Lmao Pennsylvania. Speed limit is 65, but everyone goes 80+
Traditional_Entry183@reddit
Where at? Every time I drive in western PA around Pittsburgh, where the speed limit is only 55, there are cops pulling people over all the time.
MortimerDongle@reddit
In the Philly area, traffic usually travels at about 75 mph on the 55 mph roads
Traditional_Entry183@reddit
Gotcha. My whole experience with PA is the other side. Ive never been north of Baltimore in the east.
mitchdwx@reddit
Lehigh Valley area. Speed limit on route 22 is 55. Everyone goes 65-75. Cops watch and do nothing.
Far-Lecture-4905@reddit
Tennessee barely enforces highway driving within metro areas. Once you get into less settled areas it becomes more frequent.
upvoter222@reddit
As someone who has had the misfortune of driving through the Devil's Anus, I'm not convinced that driving 75 mph is possible on some CT highways.
FishrNC@reddit
There is no common tolerance within a state. It depends on the aggressiveness of the local policy of each jurisdiction. Some little towns count on violation revenue for a significant income.
5oco@reddit
In MA, I regularly travel at 80-85 mph and have had staties ride up behind only to keep on keeping on once I moved out of their way.
I really think they focus more on people doing 80+ while weaving around cars.
ranchbringer@reddit
On I-465 (circular freeway surrounding Indianapolis) the speed limit is 55 and if you go 80 with a cop behind you, that cop is gonna tailgate you because he wants to be going even faster than 80. Now if you block the fast lane they'll pull you over just because, but move out of the way and you don't really have to worry about tickets.
blipsman@reddit
I think I read somewhere that back in the 80's-90's, Montana didn't have a daytime speed limit and when the Feds required they institute one, they sold pre-paid coupon books for like $50/10 and you'd just tear out a $5 ticket to hand over and be on your way.
As a Chicagoan, it seems like everybody I know who has driven the stretch of I-65 between Chicago and Indianapolis has gotten a ticket, myself included.
zoppaTheDim@reddit
Lenient, I don’t know, but every time I go to Michigan, my internal speedometer is off.
Streets which would be 25 in Ohio are 35, 35 are usually 45.
I’ll be driving, my brain has me doing less than thirty, because hey it is a neighborhood, kids are playing, but it is posted 35. Then I’ll turn on a bigger street, my brain says, this is thirty-five, but it is posted forty-five.
Leniency is just a matter of cop density.
exoticsamsquanch@reddit
Speed limit in NJ is 65. On my daily commute on rt 80 we're all going at least 75. I've passed cops going 80.
Dio_Yuji@reddit
Louisiana is actually kinda strict on the highways, but completely apathetic in cities
atsinged@reddit
Louisiana on I-10 looked like a state trooper convention the last time I was through there.
Dio_Yuji@reddit
Yeah. They’ll get you on the highways. In the cities, it’s anarchy
Vyckerz@reddit
I only regularily drive in Mass, NH, ME and only sometimes CT and RI. I always had the impression that CT was pretty strict on speeding. But I would have said NH was the worst. A lot of Massholes going to NH on weekends in the summer and those NH Staties love to pull them over.
The highways are a free for all though. These days I think you can safely do 80mph on most major highways in New England.
burner12077@reddit
Ive only lived in a few states, but out of them Arizona is probably the easiest going.
My wife got pulled over for going 100mph in a 55. Granted it was a rural county road that had zero buildings or development and honestly had zero business with a 55mph limit.
She got a court date, they made her pay like a $500 fine and she got points on her license. Thats it....
The Judge even said if she had been sighted for going just like 3 mph slower he could have waived all that and given her online driving school instead but state law tied his hands lol. I beleive him too, thats what he did for every speeding ticket before us.
The other two states I lived in would have probably booked her in jail for a day or two and suspended her license for a little bit, minimum. I had friends get thier license suspended for 6 months or a year in California after going like 90 in a 75 or something on the interstate.
nowordsleft@reddit
Pennsylvania is the only state in the country that limits radar use to the state police. Locals aren’t allowed to use it. And the state police have to be stationary to use it. They can’t use it while driving. It was a bit of a shock to me when I was in a rental car out of state and a trooper swung a u-turn and pulled me over after passing me going the other direction. Didn’t even know that was possible.
Nefarious_Turtle@reddit
In my experience California and Texas both tend to have no problem with people cruising 10 or so over the limits in most places.
I am in Texas currently and, on most roads and highways, doing exactly the speed limit is borderline hazardous. Everyone is doing at least 10 over, if not more.
I was eventually reminded that is not true everywhere when I was stopped for 8 over in North Carolina. Currently the only time I have ever been pulled over.
xampl9@reddit
8 over is the tipping point where you attract their attention.
Note that going over 80 in NC becomes a misdemeanor.
I was in SC over the weekend and the highway patrol had an officer with a laser gun on a bridge, and a couple of Mustangs on the on-ramp. They got someone behind me that wasn’t paying attention.
AvarethTaika@reddit
Maine gives zero fucks about speed. i mean, they post about it a lot, but then you fly by a state cop at 170 and no one even tries to go after you.
Th3MiteeyLambo@reddit
North Dakota
It's a $1 per mph over limit as a fine. Once you hit 10 over it's $2 per mph over that.
Going 15 over would result in a $20 fine.
Dear-Bet5344@reddit
Boston is crazy when the traffic isn't too bad. I've gotten passed by staties like I was standing still while I was doing 90 by the water tower more than once
In2TheMaelstrom@reddit
I have done 80 in a 70 on I-4 between Orlando and Tampa to pass trucks and had cops roll up and flash their high beams for me to get out of the way on multiple occasions. No emergency or flashing lights, just didn't feel like 80 was fast enough for 5:30 AM. Regular flow of traffic is usually upper 70's.
Eagle_1776@reddit
Texas by a mile. Dont wreck, dont kill anyone.. then you're gtg
Louisianimal09@reddit
As long as you’re not firing a gun out of the window in Louisiana you’re good to do Mach 3
MetroBS@reddit
I routinely go 80+ on the New Jersey Turnpike and have never been pulled over
tarheel_204@reddit
Overall, I think NC is fairly lenient on the highway. Most of the time, they’ll pull you if you’re breezing past the flow of traffic. A few miles over? Usually a non-issue.
That said, the small towns need money and the local police are out to get you. I grew up rural and the small towns around me enforce the speed limit very strictly.
Inconsequentialish@reddit
Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin (yes, Wisconsin) have some of the most consistently ridiculous enforcement I've encountered or seen. Out of state plates might as well be neon targets. You also don't want to stand out in Oklahoma or Illinois.
Last time I was in Arizona, the enforcement in school zones was very thick. Which I applaud, actually. That's one of the few places it makes sense. Not sure if that was what they do all the time or just a targeted enforcement campaign.
The most lenient states and places are generally the most rural. They just don't have the resources to patrol out in the sticks, so they stick to populated places where it matters. So, for example, almost all of New Mexico, and rural (not on the interstate highways) Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
In most places, the main thing is to pay attention and don't stand out. Learn where cops like to hide and how they think and work, and in general be boring and blend in, in velocity, behavior, and appearance.
maybach320@reddit
Illinois, everyone seems to do at least 75 if not 80 and you never see cops on the freeways or tollways unless it for an accident.
Worst state to speed is Wisconsin the troopers are like hawks.
BUBBAH-BAYUTH@reddit
Come to Charlotte they’ve basically given up on prosecuting traffic violations
Hoopajoops@reddit
If you want to speed stay the fuck away from Idaho. I once got pulled over for doing 67 in a 65. They pull you over for expired registration, not having a front license plate, for a burnt out light, not coming to a full stop at a 4-way stop intersection when there are no other cars approaching.. and I'm not talking about just blowing through the intersection, but if you slow down to 2 mph and then continue. I had a lot of tickets in Idaho, I left the state 9 years ago and didn't change my driving at all and haven't had a ticket since. Not much crime in Idaho so 90% of what cops do is monitor traffic
Illinois is pretty chill especially around Chicago. Cops have more important things to do.
304libco@reddit
It’s gotta be Michigan. I’ve been to Michigan in my car at least twice and both times I was floored how fast everybody drove. I’m pretty sure I was going 80 to 70 while passing a vehicle on the left lane and someone came zooming up behind me, decided I was too slow and got into the far right lane to pass both of us.
FuzzyNukeBomb@reddit
Rosendale, Wisconsin specifically
DosZappos@reddit
I’ve never seen anyone in Colorado get a speeding ticket
angrysquirrel777@reddit
People in Northern Colorado definitely get speeding tickets but most of them come from cameras. It feels like half of stop lights in Fort Collins have a speed camera.
DosZappos@reddit
I always thought stop light cameras were for running red lights, not speeding
angrysquirrel777@reddit
They can do both here
PeppyQuotient57@reddit
Probably because they’re getting them electronically through the mail. Tens of thousands of tickets from one camera alone in the town of Kersey (1,500 population). These were actually illegal fines that totaled over $10,000,000 in revenue.
DosZappos@reddit
Not sure if $10,000,000 in illegal fines is a good counter argument haha
Cant-think-of-a-nam@reddit
Im in nj. Highway speed limits vary between 55 and 65 mph. No one does less than 80 and troopers dont care as long as traffic is moving
justdisa@reddit
Montana. They only have speed limits because they were forced to.
Oploplou@reddit
In Michigan, it’s pretty common knowledge that only a local cop will pull out on you for going 10 over, and even then they have to be pretty bored. It’s a little worse on the actual roads, but as far as the highway, I’ve literally never been pulled over for speed.
MentalTelephone5080@reddit
NJ is very lenient on the toll highways. The speed limit on them is generally 65 and when I'm going 80 people are passing me. I almost never see people pulled over.
WorthConfusion9786@reddit
Utah. Utah has some of the highest speed limits in the nation. Most interstates are 75 with rural areas at 80.
The UHP really doesn’t start cracking down until you hit 90. You go to jail at over 100 mph.
You have to earn a speeding ticket in Utah, at least on the freeway.
TheJunkmother@reddit
CT and the surrounding states have a lower max speed limit than the majority of the rest of the country. I’ve always assumed that’s why enforcement is more lenient through MA, CT, NY and NJ. I-95 should have a higher limit than it does in CT.
1Negative_Person@reddit
I was trying my best to leave North Dakota and the speed limit dropped to like 55 coming into Fargo. They got me doing 89. I thought I was fucked.
It was a $50 ticket I could pay online. I’m pretty sure that would have been a court appearance and few hundred bucks in most places.
No-Present760@reddit
Also CT, the only time I've been pulled over was basically the only time I've gone above the speed limit. I was late to a doctor's appointment, going 85 passed a Peter pan bus while I cop was getting on from the on ramp. He said I was going 100, threatened to throw me in the back of his car, and I had to appear in court and pay 300 dollars. First and only offense. I wouldn't consider that lenient but I don't have much experience in the matter.
throw20190820202020@reddit
After living from Virginia to other states, I am flabbergasted at how lenient other states cops are.
Virginia regularly has sticker AND speed traps right after toll booths, on highway exits, IN WORK PARKING LOTS. They have no qualms with ticketing you for a one day expired sticker.
JNoodle89@reddit
MD depending on what part you’re in. The eastern shore is more strict, but in the DC area you’ll die if you’re not going 20 over the limit
Fubuttpussy@reddit
Without a doubt Florida
sterrre@reddit
Idaho. Has a freeway speed limit of 80. You can easily rip through Idaho going 100 and you only need to worry about police around Boise
BFFassbender@reddit
The main expressway where I live has a posted speed limit of 65. Just about everyone out there is going 80+. For as heavily traveled as that road is and how widespread speeding by over 15mph+ is, you'd think there would be people pulled over all the time. Nope. Hardly ever.
Grindar1986@reddit
The Memphis 40-240 loop is a living game of GTA. What speed limits? What signalled lane changes? We needed the National Guard because MPD is completely feckless.
bluems22@reddit
MPD is right up there speeding along with everyone else lol. Place is ridiculous
I’ll never forget getting a ticket for going 5 over then seeing a cop do like 15 over later that day
daneato@reddit
In my experience it’s more about rural vs. urban.
In a small town they’ll get you for anything. In a city it needs to be pretty egregious. Obviously exceptions to both, but as a trend.
houdini31@reddit
The hard thing with this question is often a state is much more lenient on their residents and hard on out of staters.
rootofallstevil@reddit
This is merely anecdotal, but I drove through Montana a while back and there were some roads that had a 75Mph speed limit on roads that ran along steep cliffs, ravines, switchbacks, etc that I would never in a million years go that fast on. Going 75 on a straight flat road through the mostly flat Midwest is one thing. 75 on a mountain road is just crazy to me.
ArkansasTravelier@reddit
Oklahoma has a lot of areas where the speed limit is 80 and I feel like every other highway in Oklahoma that is as low as 55, the troopers are kind of lenient and expect people to want to drive 80
PeppyQuotient57@reddit
Doesn’t help that Texas borders Oklahoma. Texas drivers will go 70 in a 45 without much thought. Anything less than 95 on an I35 and you’re gonna get flashed and/or passed by a F150 with a Texas plate every 10 minutes.
ArkansasTravelier@reddit
My home in northwest Arkansas is full of Texans and Californians and the Texans are by far the most aggressive drivers lol, we drive relaxed and let people merge and all that, Texans sure don’t lol
PeppyQuotient57@reddit
The best part is they have signs when you enter Texas telling you to “drive respectfully and safely” because it’s the “Texan way”
ArkansasTravelier@reddit
More like a warning to stay out of there way because they won’t hesitate to hit you lol
AgKnight14@reddit
Vegas metro freeway speed limits are 65 but traffic consistently flows at close to 80. The other day I was following a motorcycle cop doing like 77
DOMSdeluise@reddit
It is exceedingly, distressingly lax in Texas, or at least in Houston where I live.
DadPuncher69@reddit
I don't think anyone gets pulled over for speeding in the Chicagoland area. Maybe it happens in the rest of Illinois, but definitely not over here.
Mountain_Man_88@reddit
Montana. Montana used to have speed limit signs that just said "reasonable and prudent" and basically allowed you to go any speed that you thought was safe for the conditions. There's a lot of wide open space in Montana. It eventually got overturned for being vague. What you think is reasonable might differ from what an 80 year old half blind man thinks is reasonable and both will differ from what a trooper thinks is reasonable.
Legal_Commercial477@reddit
Washington- they don’t have nearly enough law enforcement presence to handle the crime, let alone deal with speeders
hundred-brigade@reddit
Generally 5-10mph over on the freeway (dual carriageway with controlled access for those of you not familiar with American road lingo) should be fine in most states. Personally I try to not go more than 5mph over on other roads. Others may disagree there though.
More-Sock-67@reddit
I feel like NYS is surprisingly lenient, at least on highways. Generally have to be going at least 11mph over to be at risk of being pulled over. I’ve gone as much as 15mph without getting pulled over.
VergaDeVergas@reddit
In California the limit is usually 65 on the highway and seeing people going 90 is a pretty normal occurrence. I stick to like 80 on the freeway, sometimes 85
smurphy8536@reddit
Depends on your plates. Usually out of state plates get extra attention
Soggy-Attempt@reddit
Montana or Texas
MrHandsRadDay@reddit
Indiana
Oldy_VonMoldy@reddit
Somewheres out west, I reckon.
Sufficient_Cow_7132@reddit
Montana, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, The Alaska Hihway
PossibilityNo8765@reddit
Florida
LABELyourPHOTOS@reddit
"got up to 60 in a 25" That's pretty outrageous and pretty dangerous.
JR_Elite27@reddit (OP)
Yeah I was 17 and stupid but it was only for a second or two and then I slowed down
DosZappos@reddit
Well yeah, you got pulled over
JR_Elite27@reddit (OP)
Yep, just glad I learned my lesson without crashing
buildingacozymystery@reddit
In Arkansas there seems to be no repercussions for speeding or for expired tags. Driving behind temporary tags that are 6 months expired is just an everyday thing here.
The other day I saw a police SUV run right through a red light, almost hit a sedan, and keep driving. No lights on or anything.
Seems like no one really cares here. But that might just be everywhere in general now.