As you drive to your destinations, you likely do not always stick strictly to the posted speed limit. You may drive a little over the limit in hopes of getting to your destination more quickly, or you may go over or below the limit in attempts to keep up with the flow of traffic around you. Whatever the reason, you likely try to keep your driving speeds at a reasonable level to avoid posing a danger to yourself and others on the road.
Of course, even if you do not feel that you are traveling at an excessive speed, you could still face a traffic ticket if an officer believes that your driving poses an issue. Because different types of speed limits exist, it may benefit you to understand those limits and know how you could potentially defend against a speeding ticket.
Types of speed limits
In general, there are three types of speed limits: absolute, presumed and basic. Each type has different criteria, and as a result, you could face a ticket for any of the three. Information on these speed limit types includes:
- Absolute speed limit — The absolute speed limit is the posted speed limit in an area. You break the absolute speed limit if you travel over the posted speed by any amount.
- Presumed speed limit — The presumed speed limit is not as straightforward. If an officer believes that you have broken the presumed speed limit, he or she believes that your speed did not suit the conditions at the time.
- Basic speed limit — When an issue arises involving the basic speed limit, it means that an officer believes that your driving speed was unsafe even if it was at or below the posted limit. In this case, the officer would need to prove that your speed posed a safety issue.
You may think that a traffic ticket is not a big deal, but it can still impact your driver’s license and driving record. You can also defend against a traffic ticket, and knowing the different types of speed limits may help you determine what type of defense may best suit your needs.
Creating a defense
While you certainly have the option of paying a speeding ticket and moving on, you may feel that justice needs pursuing if you believe the ticket was issued unnecessarily. Fortunately, you have legal options for creating and presenting a defense in traffic court. Information on your options may help you decide what course of action may prove useful.
