Is it best to always drive the speed limit?

Lily

Yes, driving the speed limit is not just for getting out of fine but for your safety, especially when you are not so familiar with the steering wheel or drive at night and other unfriendly conditions.

chris

I admit, on clear dry freeways, I tend to go 5 - 10 over the limit. But I live in an area where that is expected. Most other states have raised their speed limit to 70, but mine is still 65. I'll do 70 most times and cars keep passing me. Police are out every day and I have not had a ticket in 25 years. As far as "being safe" goes, there is a safe margin associated with speed limits on freeways. I believe it is within 15 miles per hour, meaning, if you are going slower than 50 in a 65, you can get a ticket for obstructing traffic. This is, of course, at the discretion of the officer since traffic jams decrease everyones speed. My over all rule of thumb, don't be the fastest one and don't be the slowest one and you will do fine.

DEBS

It is best to obey all traffic laws. That includes speed limits and laws requiring slower traffic to stay right. If you're going slower than any car behind you, you should be moving over. It's not your job to be selfish with the lanes or enforce speed limits by refusing to allow others to proceed at the speed they desire. In doing so, you are creating a hazardous situation for all vehicles on the road.

Tad Dubious

No, Sty'. It is always best to drive at a safe speed considering the conditions. If it is icy, you should drive BELOW the speed limit, for example. If you see vehicles coming up the on-ramp, you might speed over the limit just a bit to get out of their way. That is safe ... safe for you and others. No such thing as an "always" here - there are always exceptions.

FlagMichael

It isn't about getting tickets; it is about driving safely. The most expensive ticket is less then about the least expensive accident, not to mention injury and death. It is not always safe to go as fast as the speed limit but it is never smart to go faster than the limit. Stay out of the way of fools who are speeding. I found when I stuck to no faster than the posted limit I had less trouble with tailgaters. When I was going 3-5 mph faster than the limit idiots would try to "push" me to go faster. If I would go 4 over, why not 6, then 8, then 10 and 15.... A driver has to be pretty bad to be swayed by a tailgater, so tailgaters are hoping they are following a bad driver too closely. That gives you a glimpse into the brain of a tailgater. Keep out of the way and keep within the limit, and you are doing the best you can in almost every situation.

KayleenR

No it is not always best to drive at the speed limit. Often it is unsafe to do so

Anonymous

Depends. If conditions bad, it is not only safe and correct to slow down, it is the law. Generally do the speed limit. You Might want to speed up to let a merger in, if you cant safely slow a bit. No More.

Minni

Of course not, it is often impossible to drive that fast in heavy traffic or in bad weather. Use common sense.

STEPHEN

"no more no less." This is idiotic. You drive right at the speed limit in heavy rain? In snow? On ice? Driving according to the conditions is the real skill, not "I drive the speed limit".

Pilsner Man

I always drive 3 MPH over.

AlCapone

You should always drive at a SAFE speed, whether that is the speed limit or not. Generally, you should keep up with the majority of traffic around you. If safe, you should be able to drive 10% over the speed limit and not have to worry about a ticket, especially if most of the cars around you are doing the same.

StephenWeinstein

No. 1. Drivers going 1-4 mph over the speed limits usually don't get tickets either. As long as you don't go 5 mph or more over the limit, you're probably not going to get one. 2. Speedometers aren't exact. If your speedometer says you are going exactly the limit, then you are probably going 1-4 mph slower than the limit.

No Summertime

The speed limit is a guide to me, I don't follow it unless it's an obvious speed trap I'll drive the speed I want to. Law does not apply to me.

thebax2006

If you back traffic up behind you I doubt you'll live to be 53 years old.