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Understanding Speed Limits

Whenever you are driving, there are posted speed limits that you are supposed to adhere to. These speed limits are designed to keep traffic flowing at a reasonable pace which is not too fast or too slow. When you are driving outside of the posted speed limits, whether you are driving too fast or too slow, you post a risk to other drivers who are driving at the posted speed. Many accidents are caused by drivers who ignore the speed limit.

Not all areas have the same speed limit requirements. It is important to know the speed limit for the area you are driving in. For the most part, this is achievable just by observing the posted speed limit signs that are along the road, street, highway or avenue where you are driving.

Types of Speed Zones

No one expects you to memorize the various types of speed limits and speed zones. As a rule, however, when you have a driver’s license and are driving on the road, you are responsible for recognizing the signs. There are many different kinds of speed zones that require you to adhere to a special speed limit for that particular zone. You do not have to know all of these by heart as long as know to obey the posted signs when you enter the area and the whole time you are in the area until you leave it. Some speed zone signs include:

  • Regulatory speed – This is the sign you see on the highway or road that tells you the maximum speed you should travel.
  • Work zones – These are the signs that advise you to decrease your speed to protect construction workers in the area.
  • School zones – These signs also advise you to decrease or speed in school areas where there are school buses and small children that may dash across the street suddenly.
  • Hospital zones – These signs require a reduced speed so that you may stop suddenly for emergency vehicles, patients and hospital personnel who may be rushing to get to a critical patient or to a scheduled surgery.

Why Drive The Limit

Driving the speed limit is important for a number of reasons. The most important reason to drive the speed limit is because that speed has been determined to be safest speed to drive in the area where the limit is posted. Other reasons to drive the speed limit include:

  • Avoid speeding tickets
  • Avoid other fines and penalties associated with speeding tickets
  • Avoid speeding accidents
  • Retain the ability to stop at a moment’s notice, such as to allow emergency vehicles to pass or if a stray animal runs in front of your vehicle

Have you or someone you know been cited for speeding? If so, contact one of our experienced traffic violation lawyers in your area today!

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Have you or someone you know been cited for speeding? If so, contact one of our experienced traffic violation attorneys in your area today!

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