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by Mike S
Tue May 10, 2016 10:12 am
Forum: LEO Contacts & Bloopers
Topic: West Texas Traffic Stop
Replies: 31
Views: 9639

Re: West Texas Traffic Stop

ScottDLS wrote:
oohrah wrote:You're right, the law is 10% over. But, practical experience has been 10 mph over (few can do the math I fear). I haven't had a speeding ticket in over 15 years, but the last time I went to defensive driving class, everyone was there for speeding, and everyone was 11 mph or more over.
The law is 10% over? I thought the law was you have to go the speed limit or below? :biggrinjester:
Touche, Sir. 10% is a general rule of thumb for the open highway in Tx (officer discretion, if you please), but you can absolutely get a citation for 1 MPH over the posted limit (especially in small towns, residential areas, or school zones/work zones). Growing up in Galveston County we knew a couple LEOs, & the rule of thumb back then was 5 MPH over + 1 (five over was expected, plus one MPH grace for calibration issues either with their radar or your speedometer). At least that's how it was applied in our little town back in the '80s.

ETA: This is my understanding; Smokey beat me to a response above, & he's an LEO so his reply holds more weight.
by Mike S
Tue May 10, 2016 8:29 am
Forum: LEO Contacts & Bloopers
Topic: West Texas Traffic Stop
Replies: 31
Views: 9639

Re: West Texas Traffic Stop

Glad that all worked out well, & sounds like a very professional experience all around. I'm not sure, but I believe the rule of thumb is 10% over the posted speed limit, not 10 MPH. 82 MPH is right at the cusp of the 10% threshold (82.5 by my math...), so I usually keep the cruise control set just shy of that in a 75 MPH zone.

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