California speed enforcement

[puggit]

Mrs Puggit and I are about to head off to sunny California for a fly/drive!

Anything we should look out for while making progress? We're taking the trusty detector, which I assume is perfectly legal out there?

Thanks!

[Plotloss]

Yep perfectly legal.

They do hide a bit more than they do over here and they are a lot more regular.

[puggit]

Do they let Brits off?

What kind of excess speed is tolerated?

[Plotloss]

Chances are you'll get let off.

Carry your license though, its an offence not to as I found out.

Most coppers when you unfold the paper counterpart just say 'Slow down' because they cant be arsed.

[The Wiz]

Been there a couple of times and rarely if ever saw Highway Patrol cars.

[targarama]

Got let off for 79mph in Louisiana .. I was VMAXing a Thunderbird rental at the time (limiter kicked in at around 110). He let me off, but his mate tried to catch me out again a few miles down the road.

I did get a $40 fine for doing 70 in a 55 in Nevada. Just sent them a cheque.

Definitely more smokeys hiding over there, but no Tallivans. They hide over hidden brows/at freeway on ramps etc. Sometimes they pounce in groups too.

I wouldn't worry about speeding too much - you'll soon find that the locals drive a lot faster than you've been led to believe. 65 limit out of towns on the freeway, most traffic is doing 75 without getting a tug.

[sadako]

Turn on your x band detection, I think they still use it in some places

[joelk]

I've been pulled for speeding in California and across the States a few times... It's like being in a Smokey and the Bandits movie, on the look out for the 5-O.... Max speed on a HIGHWAY is 55mph... And you though the UK sucks !

A tip that worked a few times for me, was speaking in a posh English accent... "Oh I'm terribly sorry officer.. I feel absolutely awful, etc, etc" If you're lucky, they reply... "oh gee - are you Engalish? So how long you here for..? you know I've been to London, etc..."

They're often positioned on either side of the freeway, lurking, waiting for you to go flying past, sometimes in hard to spot locations. Keep your eyes peeled and you should be ok...

Some great stretches of road along the coastal roads, through the deserts, national parks and on Highway 1.

Enjoy !

PS - Upgrade and get a fast convertable. 5 litre Ford Mustangs are very reasonable over there... Offer a fair bit of grunt - and fuel is cheaper than bottled water !?




>> Edited by joelk on Friday 8th April 23:01

[NorthernBoy]

puggit said:

Mrs Puggit and I are about to head off to sunny California for a fly/drive! Anything we should look out for while making progress? We're taking the trusty detector, which I assume is perfectly legal out there? Thanks!

see my post about my 101mph stop.

Which says to remember that a police car coming the other way can get you for speeding. They seem able to radar you from a moving vehicle.

101mph got me a $205 fine. No court appearance, no points, no hassle.

[streaky]

targarama said:

I wouldn't worry about speeding too much - you'll soon find that the locals drive a lot faster than you've been led to believe. 65 limit out of towns on the freeway, most traffic is doing 75 without getting a tug.

In my experience, 101 regularly sees 85 as the norm, especially the stretch from Redwood City to San Jose. If you're on the West side, you won't want to speed too much on Highway 1 ... the scenery is too nice. Whatever, enjoy.

Streaky

[Trooper2]

20 M.P.H. over the limit can/will get you a reckless driving citation which is a mandatory court appearance and in some jurisdictions, car impounded and a night or more in lock-up.

I would think that most U.S. cops would probably cut a visitor some slack though.


Carry Doughnuts and Espresso just in case.

[ledaig]

The law on the 55 limit was repealed some time ago, although some places still use it most have raised maximum limits including California. Check out these limits from the back end of last year www.iihs.org/safety_facts/state_laws/speed_limit_laws.htm - they are an indpendent organization but the data should be good.

Just found the 'official' line: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/70mph.htm

>> Edited by ledaig on Saturday 9th April 07:51

[targarama]

streaky said:

targarama said: I wouldn't worry about speeding too much - you'll soon find that the locals drive a lot faster than you've been led to believe. 65 limit out of towns on the freeway, most traffic is doing 75 without getting a tug. In my experience, 101 regularly sees 85 as the norm, especially the stretch from Redwood City to San Jose. If you're on the West side, you won't want to speed too much on Highway 1 ... the scenery is too nice. Whatever, enjoy. Streaky

True, when there isnt a traffic jam. Even quicker once you get past San Jose en route to Gilroy (I'll be driving down there for some shopping after landing at SFO tomorrow).

Like anywhere in the world I tend to allow someone past me as cop bait, saves a lot of hassle that way

[hedders]

I got stopped doing 85 on a really empty Motorway at 8:00 am on Saturday (cop came down slip road from behind me). His attitude immediately became lighter when he heard my accent, even though I told him I was late for work.


He let me off with a quick and a .

[JMGS4]

AND remember they can radar you from a moving car coming at you over a mile away!!! so beware of the big white (usually) car in the dip in front of you...
got done like that, paid my dollars and had a long chat with the patrolman who knew all the answers to my questions about radar deflection. inaccuracies of use from a moving vehicle, false readings through windscreens etc.....
apparently the local judges (Dick Turpins) ignore all such pleas and fine one double because one had the cheek to question a local bobby! Only when it gets to the higher courts are any real arguments heard.....a bit like our magistrates then!!!!!

[Kinky]

And remember that they hide in the bushes like here.

However, there's 1 subtle difference - so be careful out there ....



www.klincewicz.btinternet.co.uk/speed.jpg

>> Edited by Kinky on Sunday 10th April 22:29

[p490kvp]

No pretty relaxed mate. If you go south from San Fran towards LA then the traffic flows pretty well in the mid-day and at around 85-90. Pretty much like the UK.

People overtake pretty much as they like - inside/outside - after an hour of it you'll get the idea!!