Speed Limits, Speed Control and Stopping Regulations

Speed Limits

• All states post speed limits• They are set by studying:

– Road conditions– Road surfaces– Average amount of traffic– Hidden dangers– How many collisions have happened at a given location

• Only after these factors have been taken into consideration, a speed limit is set

Speed Limits (Cont.)

• Posted speed limits don’t tell you how fast to go, the only state that you cannot safely go faster than the posted speed limit – the maximum speed you can drive under the best weather and road conditions

Fixed Speed Limits• Maximum or minimum speed that a vehicle

may be driven on a particular roadway• They do not change• There can be maximum and minimum fixed

speed limits• Tickets can be given to those who disobey these

speed limits• Fines and points are accompanied with these

tickets

Advisory Speed Limits

• Advise drivers to adjust their speed for changes in road conditions

• Provide valuable, safe guidelines for adjusting your speed

Day and Night Speed Limits

• Some states have lower speed limits at night• Night driving is much more dangerous

because it is harder to see the road and any obstacles in it.

Basic Speed Laws

• All states have a basic speed law, no matter what the speed limit sign says

• Always drive at a speed that reasonable and proper for existing conditions

• Your ability to manage visibility, time, and space determines what is a safe speed

Basic Speed Laws (Cont.)More than half of all fatal crashes occur on roads with posted

speed limits of 55 mph or more.

Facts about Speed:• The less time a driver has to spot dangerous situations and

take action• The greater the time and distance it takes to change direction

or stop a vehicle• The greater the chance the vehicle will skid or roll over on a

turn• The greater chances of a collision, personal injury, and

property damage

Speed Control

• Acceleration – increase speed• Rate of Acceleration – the time it takes to

accelerate from one speed to another• Deceleration – decrease speed• Rate of deceleration – the time it takes to

decelerate from one speed to another

Speed Control

• At higher speeds a vehicle’s rate of acceleration will be lower

• At higher speeds a vehicle’s rate of deceleration will be lower

• i.e. – It takes longer to accelerate from 45 mph to 55 mph than from 20 mph to 30mph

• i.e. – It takes a vehicle traveling at 60 mph more time and space to slow and brake to a stop than a vehicle traveling at 30 mph

Speed Control

• Maintaining a constant speed– Hills – Vehicle size – Engine power

• Monitoring your speed– Glance at the speedometer– Your perception of how fast you are going can be

wrong

Speed Control

• Smooth Braking– Stop your vehicle gradually

• Emergency Braking– Do not slam on brakes – instead squeeze and hold

it firmly until the point before the wheels lock• Antilock Brake System – Wheels will not lock

and slide even when you press down hard on the pedal

Manual: Speed Control 58&59

• Unless otherwise posted• 25 mph - School zones, business or residential districts• 35 mph - Suburban business and residential districts• 50 mph - Non-posted rural roadways• 55 mph - Certain state highways and interstates (as

posted)• 65 mph – Certain interstate highways (as posted)• Motorists pay double fines for exceeding the 65 mph

limit by 10 miles per hour or more

Manual: Stopping Regulations p70&71

• Signs, signals and traffic rules indicate when a motorist must stop

• A motorist should never try to beat a traffic light change

• A motorist must stop at least 15 feet from railroad crossings when there are flashing lights, ringing bells or flag signals

• A motorist must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights

Manual: Stopping Regulations p72&73

• A motorist must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights

• State law requires motorists to stop at least 25 feet away if she is traveling on a two-lane road or on a multi-lane highway where lanes are only separated by lines or on a privately maintained road

• If a school bus has stopped directly in front of a school to pick up or let off children, a motorist may pass from either direction at a speed of no more than 10 mph

• New Jersey law requires all motorists to yield to emergency vehicles when they sound sirens and/or flashing red and/or blue emergency lights