The number, and speed, of other cars on the road.
The amount of rain, fog, snow, ice, wind, or dust.
Whether the road surface is smooth, rough, graveled, wet, dry, wide, or narrow.
Bicyclist, or pedestrians walking on the edge of the road.
IV.
Established Speed Laws
Purpose of Basic and Minimum Speed Laws
California's "Basic Speed Law" says that you must never driver faster than is safe for the current conditions. No matter what the speed limit sign may say your speed should depend on:
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The number, and speed, of other cars on the road. |
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The amount of rain, fog, snow, ice, wind, or dust. |
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Whether the road surface is smooth, rough, graveled, wet, dry, wide, or narrow. |
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Bicyclist, or pedestrians walking on the edge of the road. |
For example, if you are driving 45 mph in a 55 mph speed zone during a dense fog, you could be cited by a police officer for driving "too fast for conditions."
Remember : Even though you may think it is safe, you may never legally drive faster than the posted speed limit.
If you block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic by driving too slowly, you may receive a ticket.
Sometimes, of course, you may have to go slowly. If you are going slower than other traffic, do not drive in the "fast" lane. If you are in the left (or fast) lane, move to the right when another driver is close behind you and wishes to drive faster.
No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law.
Remember, you may not drive faster than the posted or maximum speed limit, even if you think it is safe to do so.
Speed Limits For Designated Areas
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Freeway (65 mph). |
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Residential zones (25 mph). |
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Business districts (25 mph). |
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School zones (25 mph). |
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Blind intersections (15mph). |
The maximum speed limit on most California highways is 65 mph. However, for two-lane undivided highways, the maximum speed limit is 55 mph, unless posted for a higher speed. On some highways the maximum speed limit is 70 mph, but only if there are signs posted showing 70 mph.
Other speed limits are set for the type of roads and traffic in each area. All speed limits are based on ideal driving conditions.
Driving faster than the posted speed limit, or than it is safe for current conditions, on any road is dangerous and illegal. High speed increases your stopping distance. The faster you go, the less time you have to avoid a hazard or collision. The force of a 60 mph crash isn't just twice as great as at 30 mph; it's four times as great!
Speed Limits For Designated Vehicles
Generally, a motor truck or truck tractor, a vehicle towing another vehicle or a school bus may not drive on a highway at a speed greater than 55 miles per hour.
When you are driving a bus, towing a vehicle, or driving a large truck you will usually be traveling slower than other vehicles. You must drive in the right hand lane or in a lane specially marked for you. If no lanes are marked, and four lanes go in you direction, you may only drive in either of the two lanes closest to the right side of the road.
Speed and Stopping Distance
As a rule of thumb, at 35 mph, your perception time is 1/2 second and stopping distance of 18 feet. Your reaction time is 3/4 second and distance of 28.5 feet.
Established Speed Laws
At 35 mph, your braking distance is 77.5 feet and stopping distance is 106 feet.
Special Speed Limits
Around children:
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Always drive more carefully near schools, playgrounds, and
parks because children may suddenly dart into the street. Near a school, the speed limit is 25 mph
while children are outside or crossing the street. No matter what the speed limit sign states, you
should never
drive faster than 25 mph when the school ground has no fence and children are outside. |
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Sometimes lower speed limit signs are placed near schools,
so look for them. |
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Watch for bicycles and pedestrians near schools. |
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Look for school safety patrols or school crossing guards
and obey their directions. |
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Look for stopped schools buses. Be prepared for children
crossing the street. Some school buses flash yellow lights when the bus is stopped and preparing to
let children leave the bus. This is a warning for you to prepare to stop. Flashing red lights mean
you must stop until the children are safely across the street and the lights have stopped flashing. |
Near railroad tracks:
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The speed limit is 15 mph when you come within 100 feet of a railroad crossing and you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions. You may go faster than 15 mph if the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagman. |
Blind intersections and alleys
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Blind intersections are intersections where you cannot see
for 100 feet in either direction during the last 100 feet before crossing. |
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Trees, bushes, buildings, or parked cars at intersections
can block your view of cars coming from the side. You need to approach a "blind"
intersection slowly enough (15 mph) to be able to stop if a vehicle pulls out suddenly. However,
you may drive as fast as the posted speed limit if YIELD or STOP signs on the side streets give you
the right-of-way. |
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The speed limit in any alley is 15 mph. |
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Sometimes different speed limits may be posted for different types of vehicles, such as school bussess, semi trucks, etc. |
In business or residence districts:
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Animals on or around the road:
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If you see animals or livestock, slow down. Obey the person in charge of the animals. If you see a stray animal in your path, slow down or stop, if it is safe to do so. |
The Law: Speed Limits
Temporary Maximum Speed Limit
Any person who drives a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than 100 miles per hour is guilty of an infraction. 22348
Basic Speed Limit
No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property. 22350
Prima Facie Speed Limits
When traversing a railway grade crossing, if during the last 100 feet of the approach to the crossing the driver does not have a clear and unobstructed view of the crossing and of any traffic on the railway for a distance of 400 feet in both directions along the railway. 15mph
When traversing any intersection of highways if during the last 100 feet of the driver's approach to the intersection the driver does not have a clear and unobstructed view of the intersection and of any traffic upon all of the highways entering the intersection for a distance of 100 feet along all those highways. 15 mph
On any alley. 15 mph
On any highway, other than a state highway, in any business or residence district, when passing a school building or a senior center. 25 mph
On any highway, other than a state highway, and in any moderate density residential district, if there's a posted sign. 25 mph 22352
Minimum Speed Law
No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law. 22400
Maximum Speed For Designated Vehicles
No person shall drive any of the following vehicles on a highway at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour:
A motor truck or truck tractor having three or more axles or any motor truck or truck tractor drawing any other vehicle
Safe Driving Tips
What is The Road Like
The faster the speed, the less control you have of your car. Rather than just looking at the legal posted speed limit, you should consider what may affect the safe operation of your car. For example, should you drive 35 mph (the posted speed limit) on a curve down an icy mountain road? Many new drivers do not slow to safe speeds for each road. That is one reason why new drivers have more "out-of-control" collision than experienced drivers.
Curves
On curves, there is a strong outward pull on your vehicle. Watch out for it, especially when the road may be slippery. Rain, mud, snow, or gravel make a slippery road. Sometimes a speed limit is not posted before a curve on the highway. Judge how sharp the curve is. Change your speed if necessary. Slow down before you enter the curve. Braking on a curve may cause you to skid.
Be careful on freeways. Curves on ramps make it hard to see ahead. Orange flags, signs, etc., may tell you that workers and equipment are ahead. Slow down. Watch out.
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