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What is a Basic Speed Law?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Many nations have adopted a form of a basic speed law, which states that motorists should travel at a rate of speed which is consistent with the driving conditions. This is not designed to replace posted speed limits, but merely to reflect the fact that safe rates of speed change depending on driving conditions such as ice, snow, rain, construction, or fog. Essentially, a basic speed law asks motorists to use common sense as a guideline, in addition to the posted speed limits.

Many nations post speed limits which indicate the maximum rate of speed at which a motorist may travel. In some cases, a national speed limit is established as a basic guideline, and individual states, provinces, or communities refine the speed limit to suit their needs. Common speed limits include a low limit for downtown driving, a higher one for highway driving, and a maximum speed for freeways and throughways. If no speed limit is posted in a nation where speed laws exist, the prevailing national law should be used as a guideline: for example, if the motorist is driving on a two lane highway, the national speed limit for a highway should be complied with.

Law enforcement officers ensure that speed limits are adhered to by drivers.
Law enforcement officers ensure that speed limits are adhered to by drivers.

However, a speed limit is only a basic guideline: in fact, traffic scientists only expect 80% of vehicles to comply with a posted speed limit, and sometimes less depending on the region. Engineers determine speed limits by looking at the type of road, where the road is located, and how the road is being used. Given experience with similar roads, a speed limit is set and enforced by law enforcement as needed. A basic speed law helps to supplement posted signs.

It is estimated that 80% of vehicles comply with a posted speed limit.
It is estimated that 80% of vehicles comply with a posted speed limit.

Most nations which have speed limit laws also have a basic speed law. Wording of these laws varies, but essentially it states that a motorist should not travel at an unsafe rate of speed given prevailing traffic conditions such as visibility, number of cars on the road, weather, or the type of road. In many cases, a basic speed law will also add that no driver should drive at a rate which would be considered reckless. Reckless driving is usually defined as a driving in a way which endangers life or property.

Motorists are expected to travel at the rate of speed which is consistent with driving conditions.
Motorists are expected to travel at the rate of speed which is consistent with driving conditions.

What a basic speed law means is that someone who is, for example, traveling at a posted speed limit during foggy weather could receive a speeding ticket. The citing officer could argue that the posted speed limit was not a safe rate of speed for the driving conditions. On the flip side, someone who was exceeding the posted speed limit on an open highway with no traffic and clear visibility could successfully beat a speeding ticket by arguing that the rate of speed was perfectly safe.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WikiMotors researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WikiMotors researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon336695

@anon237472: Actually, if you've read state law regarding speeding (take CO C.R.S. 42-4-1101 as an example), there is no explicit precedence given to the basic speed limit versus posted, so it seems theoretically possible to successfully argue conditions warranted travel faster than the posted limit. Whether or not such arguments work in practice I shall learn soon enough in traffic court.

anon237472

"someone who was exceeding the posted speed limit on an open highway..."

Wrong. It is always illegal to exceed a posted speed limit. If the officer correctly issues you a ticket for exceeding the posted speed limit, the basic speed law will not help you beat the charge.

oasis11

Sunshine31- Good point. I always drive slower in the rain when my visibility is limited. But I do see drivers that don’t.

sunshine31

Good article- I just want to add that adhering to the basic speed law not only keeps you from getting a ticket but it keeps you safe.

Weather conditions along with speed play a huge role in preventable traffic fatalities. People forget that the weather, like a distraction reduces their response time making it difficult to slow down in time. People in a hurry forget to put things in perspective.

They ignore the basic speed law in order to get to their destination a few minutes early. The results of such hasty measures often result in costly accidents and even worse- traffic fatalities.

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    • Law enforcement officers ensure that speed limits are adhered to by drivers.
      By: Stephen Fore
      Law enforcement officers ensure that speed limits are adhered to by drivers.
    • It is estimated that 80% of vehicles comply with a posted speed limit.
      By: Aleksandar Mijatovic
      It is estimated that 80% of vehicles comply with a posted speed limit.
    • Motorists are expected to travel at the rate of speed which is consistent with driving conditions.
      By: SeanPavonePhoto
      Motorists are expected to travel at the rate of speed which is consistent with driving conditions.
    • Basic speed laws require drivers to adjust their speeds according to weather and other conditions.
      By: Tomasz Zajda
      Basic speed laws require drivers to adjust their speeds according to weather and other conditions.
    • Engineers determine speed limits by looking at the type of road, where the road is located, and how the road is being used.
      By: ALCE
      Engineers determine speed limits by looking at the type of road, where the road is located, and how the road is being used.
    • Heavy traffic and bad weather affect how fast a driver can safely travel along a given road.
      By: Unclesam
      Heavy traffic and bad weather affect how fast a driver can safely travel along a given road.