Many speed limit signs have posted the maximum and the minimum speed you are allowed by law.  So every state has split speed limits, as all do not choose to drive the maximum speed posted. 
 
Awhile back North Carolina was rumored that they were going to write tickets over the Easter holiday for anyone going one MPH over the posted speed limit.  The hue and cry was unbelievable that the police officers would waste their time and the taxpayer’s money by ticketing people breaking the law.
 
Looking all over internet there is no where that says that the speed limit sign posting the speed of 55 MPH really means it is legal to go five over or more before getting a ticket.  The signs clearly state a maximum speed and many post a minimum speed and I have to wonder if someone is running the minimum speed if they might get ticketed way before the vehicle going five over the speed limit.  That is pure speculation on my part but...
 
When did it become common to set the cruise five over the posted speed limit and not expect to get a ticket?  The limit is the limit and if someone chooses to run ten mile per hour below the posted speed limit but well above the minimum that should not be a problem as they are not breaking the law.   The vehicles following the speed limit signs and staying below the posted speed should stay in the right lane so as not to impede or get run over by those who do not follow the posted limit signs.
 
So why all of the fuss over split speed limits when every state has a minimum and maximum speed limit on most highways and interstates?  For those that do not run the posted maximum when they are passed the passing vehicle will often give them a friendly wave not using all of their fingers or even move their lips clearly so you can easily understand they are saying a nice "Hello". 
 
Not all signs though mean what they say as in New York State.  The posted height sign often is a fictitious number and to confuse matter sometimes it is the actual height.  Many of the posted heights are actually one foot lower then the actual height but beware if a truck hits a bridge as he believes the sign is a foot off the truck driver is responsible for the accident.

Comments (10)

Linda Caffee

Bob and Linda started their driver careers after their children left home for college in 2000. Bob started as a driver for a large motor carrier with Linda as a rider. They decided to enter the Expedite industry as team drivers in 2005 and purchased their first Freightliner. Both, Bob and Linda have had their Class A licenses since the early 80's starting out driving in the oil field and hauling grain as fill in drivers where Bob worked as a diesel mechanic. Linda worked at the local country courthouse in data processing.

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Eons ago, in the bad old days of the double nickel, Illinois would write tickets for 1 mile per hour over, as directed by the governor. Today neighboring Indiana likes to issue warnings for 1 mile over, resulting in CSA points. Too bad the majority of the motoring public isn't held to the same standards as truck drivers.

July 03, 2016 19:54:55 PM

Very well said! Speeding means "driving faster than conditions permit" and it seems the majority of non-truckers (and a few truckers as well) exceed said posted limits! It's no wonder the ATA wants to shove governors down the industry's throat.

In Illinois the average highway speed is over 90 MPH even though the interstates are posted at 70 and the 2 lane roads are 55. And PSAs gladly brag that Illinois not only has stiff fines for speeding, they triple the fine to $375 in work zones for going 1 or more MPH over the limit.

People aren't getting the memo...

July 03, 2016 9:34:20 AM

Very well said! Speeding means "driving faster than conditions permit" and it seems the majority of non-truckers (and a few truckers as well) exceed said posted limits! It's no wonder the ATA wants to shove governors down the industry's throat.

In Illinois the average highway speed is over 90 MPH even though the interstates are posted at 70 and the 2 lane roads are 55. And PSAs gladly brag that Illinois not only has stiff fines for speeding, they triple the fine to $375 in work zones for going 1 or more MPH over the limit.

People aren't getting the memo...

July 03, 2016 9:33:30 AM

Very well said! Speeding means "driving faster than conditions permit" and it seems the majority of non-truckers (and a few truckers as well) exceed said posted limits! It's no wonder the ATA wants to shove governors down the industry's throat.

In Illinois the average highway speed is over 90 MPH even though the interstates are posted at 70 and the 2 lane roads are 55. And PSAs gladly brag that Illinois not only has stiff fines for speeding, they triple the fine to $375 in work zones for going 1 or more MPH over the limit.

People aren't getting the memo...

July 03, 2016 9:33:05 AM

When though did the "limit" not become the limit and people get irritated for getting a ticket for exceeding the "limit" by even one mile an hour? And then when did it become a problem if someone does not run the "limit" or over the "limit"?

June 26, 2016 5:17:03 AM

It says LIMIT, not a good idea or maybe a suggestion, meaning maximum. Set your cruise to a safe speed for road conditions, at or under the LIMIT!

June 25, 2016 16:30:58 PM

Good article Linda,
I have been having this same discussion with a fellow driver for a while now. The limit is the limit period. Just as a truck can be speed limited (governed) and you can't go over that limit. Good point about the warning too. It drives me crazy some days when speeders cut me off to slow down for an officer in the median. I don't generally run even at the speed limit and they will cut me off and force me to slow down even more because they don't want to appear guilty. I always think watching people slam on the brakes when they finally see him or her, has to give an officer a little chuckle.

June 25, 2016 15:37:20 PM

Funniest thing I heard on the CB when we used to listen in a driver was ranting and raving on the CB that no one had warned him that there was an officer around the corner as the office was writing a ticket. No need to warn someone when driving the speed limit.

June 25, 2016 13:48:36 PM

Very well put Linda! We find it interesting in Michigan how many trucks run well over the posted 60 speed limit for trucks and complain on the CB if you are running the posted speed limit of 60. Henry.......well done my friend!

June 25, 2016 13:32:23 PM

North Carolina was just defining the the line before the fine . Seems to be fine if your below the line. Ok my attemp at poetry is not going well .

June 25, 2016 8:33:42 AM