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Dealership new cars get extended inspection periods.

speedsix wrote:normal is not what several choose to do...normal is what is expected...within norms...guidelines...laws...

speedsix wrote: ...I don't see any point in continuing to argue the same things...if anyone finds a specific Texas law that I need to be aware of...I'd like to see it...

This is the entire text of TC 545.051: A few things. First, I formated the snippet of the code to highlight the relevant section (same way Mr. Rothstein quoted it). I can see speedsix's point that normal should mean under the prima facie (posted) speed limit...however...the law doesn't say that. I would like for it to say that but it doesn't. The text only refers to "Normal" and doesn't specify beyond that. I'm surprised it is worded that way, but it is what we have to work with. In my humble opinion - I think both sides of this argument would be wrong if this made it to court. Anyone going 65mph in the left lane of a 70mph zoned roadway would not be convicted under this statute, in my opinion. I believe the courts would find that within a 5% margin of the posted speed would be considered normal. Furthermore, those that feel it would be a violation, and non-speeding traffic should vacate the left most lane would also be incorrect. The statute mandates that traffic moving "slower than normal" (which will be interpreted and applied by the court) is forced to travel ONLY in the right most lane available for travel. I think the legislative intent in this text was aimed at larger cargo carrying vehicles (the windmill blade haulers come to mind), and other slow moving traffic.

At the end of the day, intentionally impeding the flow of traffic because you disagree with their chosen speeds is not safe. It merely serves to compound the increased risk of an accident due to their higher speeds. The adage "Slower Traffic Keep Right" is taught from NHTSA on down through driver's ed classes nationwide, and is posted on highways. We can nitpick this statute to death to find some legal standing which we might perch a far reaching opinion, but at the end of the day, safety is paramount. I get annoyed at the driving of others as much as anyone (if not more due to taking accident reports), but for me to combat that with my own poor driving behaviors is not a solution.

Lastly - lots of people are complaining about revenue from traffic enforcement. Tickets, by nature, are class C infractions punishable by fine only. So...of course this means money will be flowing into government coffers (and quickly back out) from fine payments. However, if you take that aspect out of traffic enforcement (and LE as a whole), then what are you left with?

I know people say that speeding isn't unsafe, and they drive fine at 100mph. Maybe. But the rest of the public cannot so the legislation is set a common (or "reasonable") limit. Think of it like a bell curve of public driving ability. All that to say, you can spare the pity party for offcers performing the role ofbeing a uniformed tax collector. If you don't like the realities of speeding tickets - don't speed. Numerous studies from NHSTA, DOT, and others have shown a correlation between traffic enforcement and the reduction of accidents.

Keith B wrote:

terryg wrote:

Keith B wrote:I refer you to the above links and posts to see that several of us here have NOT misinterpreted the law. As it is you are required to move to the right (out of the furthermost left lane) and not impede traffic, period. Speeding is another issue, that is not dealt with in the that law. It is pretty well spelled out in the quote above from the DPS website.

Hi Keith,

I am sorry, I don't think I expressed myself well. I was not saying who might be right or wrong here. Only that nobody was intentionally misinterpreting or misrepresenting the law. It appears to me that all parties (you, speedsix, Excaliber) are doing their best to apply the statutes to this situation - no matter who is correct or not.

Understand. Just trying to make sure that the law as it stands is really passed along to the members. When you have active/former LEO's disagreeing, it makes it confusing to the members on who they should listen too. Just need to make sure we get it clear as to the right info.

FWIW

I invite some of you to contact NHTSA to learn about how speed limits are determined.

Lots of "jailhouse lawyer" type info in this thread.

Lidar detectors are great predictors of traffic stops

Detectors can help, but smart, pro-active officers can defeat detection easily. If I'm running moving radar I wont pop till I already have your speed estimated - same with with stationary too. Radar readings are faster than Lidar, and faster than the time it takes to hear/see your alert and slow down. I rarely write speeding tickets so I'm not a good authority, but I always ask about a violator's detector, if I see one. From what I've heard you get what you pay for.