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From: spaf@gatech.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: 55mph and tailgates
Message-ID: <337@gatech.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 1-Aug-83 11:11:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: gatech.337
Posted: Mon Aug  1 11:11:51 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 3-Aug-83 20:08:29 EDT
References: <921@rlgvax.UUCP>
Organization: Georgia Tech, School of ICS
Lines: 50

Someone made a comment to the effect that: "whoever is going the
fastest in the left lane has the right of way."

In a number of states it is against the law to exceed the speed
limit when passing another vehicle.  If you don't have enough room
to pass safely at the speed limit then you are not supposed to
pass.  Impatience is not an excuse for breaking the law.  I know
of individuals who have been given tickets for speeding while
passing.

The way the law is set up in many (most? all?  I don't know)
states, the speed limit is a LIMIT.  It is not a recomended speed.
It is a not the speed to be used when cruising.  It is not the
speed to be done +/- 10%.  It is a limit, and you aren't supposed
to exceed it for any non-emergency reason.  In fact, I have heard
of cases where emergency vehicle drivers (police included!) have
have been issued tickets for speeding, although it has usually
been coupled with reckless driving or unsafe passing.

When I took EMT training in NY and went through the section
on driving an ambulance, we were told that the way the law
was written we had no LEGAL right to exceed the posted speed
limit, even with sirens and flashing lights on.  Other cars
are supposed to yield right-of-way to an emergency vehicle
with lights/siren on, but we were not supposed to exceed the
speed limit.  The person conducting the course (I seem to remember
that he was a state trooper) indicated that driving up to
65 or so on the expressway was generally tolerated, but he
had and would continue to give tickets to anyone he felt
was driving an ambulance too fast.

The law is the law on the books.  I won't argue about if the laws are
just or fair or even reasonable.  Before anyone else flames
on about "right of way" or other such, check with a state
patrol office in your home state and find out when it is legal
to exceed the speed limit.  Then ask under what conditions
they *strictly* enforce the law -- there is a big difference.
In fact, I'd be interested in hearing if *any* state has the
law written so that it is sometimes legal to exceed the
posted limit.

Instead of angry defiance, work to change laws you don't
like.  Ignoring something doesn't make it go away.

-- 
The soapbox of Gene Spafford

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