This was my thought this morning on the way home from preschool drop off and I should probably know this as a driver but when does a speed limit take effect? If I'm driving in a 25 MPH zone and I can see a 35 MPH sign ahead, does the 35 take effect upon seeing the sign or when I reach it? Does your mind wander to strange places when you are driving?
All that really matters is what the police officer that pulls you over thinks it means. :)
I would assume that when you pass the sign, it is "official." I mean, just because you see a stop sign ahead doesn't mean you stop when you see it right?
It takes effect at the point you reach the sign. So you couldn't be doing 50 when you reach the 35mph sign, no car has brakes that good, lol.
And yes, my mind wanders to strange places when I'm driving
Just asked my officer friend here in VA, and he said it is enforced within 1/10 of a mile before and after, meaning if you can see the sign and you're within 1/10 of a mile from the sign, you can speed up. If you're coming up on a reduced speed limit, you have 1/10 of a mile to slow the heck down!
Hear, Hear Luna.
I actually asked this in my Driver's Ed class years ago - it is once you pass the sign.:)
You are supposed to pass it but once it is in your vision it can be assumed you didn't know about the lower speed limit. In the end it is up to the cop writing the ticket and the judge if you choose to fight. :)
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I know it is 1/10 of a mile in WI. Had a wonderful (said sarcastically) talk about this with an officer when I got pulled over for going too fast too soon. I try to wait till I get to the sign to speed up in any state so I can avoid a ticket. I slow down once I see a lower speed limit sign.
In NY state we were pulled over because we sped up when we saw the sign. The cop said that the rule was once you were 'AT' the sign, otherwise the other sign was in effect and then proceeded to write a speeding ticket.
