What's the actual speed limit on highways in California?

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What the law says

In California, as in most jurisdictions, exceeding any posted speed limit is considered speeding. You can be ticketed for going 1 MPH above, and I've seen it happen. You can also be cited for speeding if you are driving faster than a reasonable speed for the conditions, even if it's slower than the posted speed limit.

In practice

It's all about staying "street smart".

Exceeding the posted speed limit is extremely common on California freeways, even in the right lane. In fact, driving at the posted limit slower than the flow of traffic is likely to be unsafe. If you drive no faster than the surrounding traffic, and you stay alert and slow down for the Highway Patrol, you are unlikely to get ticketed. Everyone follows the same reasoning, counting on "safety in numbers".

If you are the first car in a pack or the fastest car on a wide-open road, you are definitely at risk for a speeding citation.

That said, if you do get cited for speeding, "going with the flow of traffic" is a defense that is not likely to work in court.

None of what I said above constitutes legal advice.

Upvote:0

If the speed limit is 55, you shouldn't drive more than 7 below or they can ticket you. Its the same with going over. Technically they can pull you for going 56 in a 55 but not many police officers are that picky. If you are obviously standing out, not going with the flow of traffic, they can pull you because if everyone around you is going 60 and you are going 45, it is dangerous to other drivers and yourself. The max speed limit is whatever is posted on the road sign at that locale. The minimum speed is 7-10 mph lower than that before you get pulled usually.

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