Speeding in Arizona
Discussion
I've recently been wondering about speeding a week or two driving around the US south west states, so I had a look to see what speed limits were in force in various states.
Arizona have recently raised their highway/interstate limit from 75mph to 80mph for a car. The downside is that should one be caught at 85mph or above, the judge is able to give you a $500 fine AND 30 days in jail.
I'm regretting throwing away those lovely '70s "Soap-on-a-rope" Christmas presents from Great Aunt Flora now. At least one would be firmly round my neck when driving across the desert.
Arizona have recently raised their highway/interstate limit from 75mph to 80mph for a car. The downside is that should one be caught at 85mph or above, the judge is able to give you a $500 fine AND 30 days in jail.
I'm regretting throwing away those lovely '70s "Soap-on-a-rope" Christmas presents from Great Aunt Flora now. At least one would be firmly round my neck when driving across the desert.
Out in the middle of nowhere we've always made progress at around 100. Watching out for planes/helicopters and look at the other traffic (not that there is much). My girlfriend's from CA and she has always driven at these speeds on the open road (I mean the really open road).
Don't try this from LA to Vegas though. Smokey central.
I always take my radar detector, smokey spotting is a sport out there. I did get stopped in Louisiana at 94mph once, got let off. Got a ticket for 70 in a 55 in Carson City Nevada. Not been caught since taking the radar detector. Apart from hiding (like on TV) their traps are easy to spot).
Don't try this from LA to Vegas though. Smokey central.
I always take my radar detector, smokey spotting is a sport out there. I did get stopped in Louisiana at 94mph once, got let off. Got a ticket for 70 in a 55 in Carson City Nevada. Not been caught since taking the radar detector. Apart from hiding (like on TV) their traps are easy to spot).
I got "done" in Kingman, AZ., driving from the Grand Canyon to the Hoover Dam, in the days of the 55mph limit. I was flat out in a rented 2 litre Ford Probe (about 120mph, IIRC) and the cop was hiding behind a bridge abutment. I started to slow down as I saw him (way too late). Anyway, I got pulled over and he did the whole cop thing; mirror sunglasses, gun, the lot. He said he was going to cite me for 97mph, even though he knew I was going faster (clever psychology - I was grateful rather than annoyed). I got handed an envelope full of paperwork which explained that I could appear in court in Kingman, AZ., at a date after our return to the UK, or plead guilty by post and pay a $100 fine. I paid, since we go to the US a lot, and I didn't want to get turned away at Immigration due to an unpaid speeding fine.
I spent the next 2 hours (until we reached Nevada) sitting at 55mph and being overtaken by *everything*.
Overall, the experience was almost worth $100.
I spent the next 2 hours (until we reached Nevada) sitting at 55mph and being overtaken by *everything*.
Overall, the experience was almost worth $100.
trefor said:
I always take my radar detector, smokey spotting is a sport out there. I did get stopped in Louisiana at 94mph once, got let off. Got a ticket for 70 in a 55 in Carson City Nevada. Not been caught since taking the radar detector.
Detectors are illegal in many States, and some police forces use detector detectors (yes, they really exist).
zumbruk said:
I always take my radar detector, smokey spotting is a sport out there. I did get stopped in Louisiana at 94mph once, got let off. Got a ticket for 70 in a 55 in Carson City Nevada. Not been caught since taking the radar detector.
Detectors are illegal in many States, and some police forces use detector detectors (yes, they really exist).
Hmm. Which states. I mainly drive in Mass/CA/WA and the rest of the SW.
zumbruk said:
I got "done" in Kingman, AZ., driving from the Grand Canyon to the Hoover Dam, in the days of the 55mph limit. I was flat out in a rented 2 litre Ford Probe (about 120mph, IIRC) and the cop was hiding behind a bridge abutment. I started to slow down as I saw him (way too late). Anyway, I got pulled over and he did the whole cop thing; mirror sunglasses, gun, the lot. He said he was going to cite me for 97mph, even though he knew I was going faster (clever psychology - I was grateful rather than annoyed). I got handed an envelope full of paperwork which explained that I could appear in court in Kingman, AZ., at a date after our return to the UK, or plead guilty by post and pay a $100 fine. I paid, since we go to the US a lot, and I didn't want to get turned away at Immigration due to an unpaid speeding fine.
I spent the next 2 hours (until we reached Nevada) sitting at 55mph and being overtaken by *everything*.
Overall, the experience was almost worth $100.
I got a $40 fine for my 70 in a 55 and made sure I paid it too. You don't mess with the Americans when it comes to this kind of thing!
Guys in the office told me they'd have been locked up for my 97 in a 55 in Louisiana. Lucky he didn't catch me 5 mins earlier when I was v-maxing my Thunderbird rental car (115ish mph limiter - sods). Smokey was a real local boy 'get out of your veh-hic-cuwel sir'. Nice bloke even gave me his map. 55mpg on the cruise after that for me! 5 miles later his mate was waiting for me.
trefor said:
Detectors are illegal in many States, and some police forces use detector detectors (yes, they really exist).
Hmm. Which states. I mainly drive in Mass/CA/WA and the rest of the SW.
Blimey, it looks like things have changed dramatically in the recent past. According to www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/radar4.html they are now only illegal in Virginia for private cars. They are illegal for all vehicles over 10,000lbs in all States, though.
Speeding in the US.
As a US citizen/resident I do it all the time. Despite being watchful and havings some gadgets I still get caught a few times every year. Something about driving 30,000+ miles every year.
Prepare yourself with a -really good- radar detector at a minimum and front-rear laser rebroadcasters or jammers if you're paranoid or in danger of losing your license.
The best defense for speeding is a good lawyer. Seriously. Being local allows me to attend court a few months after the ticket.
Texas tickets don't get serious untill you're caught going above 85. Other states have different standards.
Although having a radar detector is legal most places, it triggers instant attitude from the police. Almost a guarenteed ticket if they see it. So a stealth instalation if you can. Cuts down on theft too.
As a US citizen/resident I do it all the time. Despite being watchful and havings some gadgets I still get caught a few times every year. Something about driving 30,000+ miles every year.
Prepare yourself with a -really good- radar detector at a minimum and front-rear laser rebroadcasters or jammers if you're paranoid or in danger of losing your license.
The best defense for speeding is a good lawyer. Seriously. Being local allows me to attend court a few months after the ticket.
Texas tickets don't get serious untill you're caught going above 85. Other states have different standards.
Although having a radar detector is legal most places, it triggers instant attitude from the police. Almost a guarenteed ticket if they see it. So a stealth instalation if you can. Cuts down on theft too.
In the days of the 55 limit, I was stopped by HP in Florida. The HP car crossed the median from the opposite direction. He didn't have a clue as to what speed I was doing as his opening words indicated. Hitching his belly above his gun belt, he said, "You were passing those cars like they was [sic] standing still."
Cost me USD 300.
Streaky
Cost me USD 300.
Streaky
However, they aer not so obsessed with points and bans in most states unless you are way over the limit. I've been driving aroung there a lot since 1980 when the 55 was quite rigidly enforced, but these last few years the interstate speed have really increased.
Arizona is just great for long cruising at 84/
Arizona is just great for long cruising at 84/
streaky said:
In the days of the 55 limit, I was stopped by HP in Florida. The HP car crossed the median from the opposite direction. He didn't have a clue as to what speed I was doing as his opening words indicated. Hitching his belly above his gun belt, he said, "You were passing those cars like they was [sic] standing still."
Cost me USD 300.
Streaky
Was enjoying the Mustang when I first got it going across I-10 just after Mardis Gras.
In the distance saw a Florida Border Patrol (nasty uncompromising types) car driving across median.
Anchor, parachute, big serving of middle pedal and cruised past at 80ish praying to the good lord himself.
I must have rolled past him with my discs on fire!
Thankfully not stopped on that occasion...
Got pulled in convoy with a friend doing 90+ somewhere in the Mojave Desert.
I admitted everything and told him to do what he had to do... I got let off.
My friend got a ticket. I appears that when asked why he was doing 90mph he replied (in his best English upper crust accent) "obviously old boy, I want to get where I'm going sooner!"
Bravo!
I admitted everything and told him to do what he had to do... I got let off.
My friend got a ticket. I appears that when asked why he was doing 90mph he replied (in his best English upper crust accent) "obviously old boy, I want to get where I'm going sooner!"
Bravo!
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