Speeding tickets increase after DOT puts bags over speed limit signs

[jnelsoninjax]

PLANT CITY, Florida - Drivers along SR-60 near Turkey Creek Rd. will want to tap the brakes as Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has increased its enforcement near the construction area.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is paying for the troopers' presence -- and citation-writing -- during the road project.

But after a tip from a viewer, the 10 News Investigators discovered FDOT was covering speed limit signs with plastic bags -- an apparent violation of federal guidelines that suggest speed limit signs be posted after every major intersection.

Drivers pulling onto SR-60 westbound at SR-39 go nearly three miles without seeing a posted speed limit. Similarly, there are no signs posted for miles for drivers pulling onto SR-60 eastbound at Turkey Creek Rd.

FHP wrote over 200 citations in the area from Nov. 25 to Dec. 22, but claims it is being lenient in enforcement. It wrote 225 warnings over the same time period.

FDOT and FHP say the enforcement is in an effort to keep construction workers safe and they plan to continue the patrols as the road project continues through Summer 2012.

Source

[Rudy]

If there's no posted sign then they should only be giving out warnings

[acrufox]

Reminds me of route 127 in Michigan. All these warning signs saying you are leaving the interstate and local enforcement and everyone slowing down to at or below the posted speed limit. Road didn't look any different than the official interstate other than lots of cops on the road writing tickets *lol*

[M_Lyons10]

If there's no posted sign then they should only be giving out warnings

Agreed. Seems rather shady honestly.

[mokthraka]

didnt someone get a ticket thrown out because the signs where to small? this seems a lot more illegal then having the signs to small

[User6060]

if they have a construction zone they should post the adjusted speed limit not cover up the old signs

[Astra.Xtreme]

if they have a construction zone they should post the adjusted speed limit not cover up the old signs

There should be a separate speed limit sign right next to the orange "Fines double in construction zones" sign. At least that's how it is around here.

[IceBreakerG]

Seems that if the speed limit sign was not present or was covered up, that's good grounds to have the ticket dismissed. I'd definitely be going to court to fight that.

[zeta_immersion]

actually, I went to the states just recently and was wondering ...

as a non US citizen, if i get ticketed what am I supposed to do? (assuming there are no signs or they are covered)

[nominak]

actually, I went to the states just recently and was wondering ...

as a non US citizen, if i get ticketed what am I supposed to do? (assuming there are no signs or they are covered)

Pay your ticket before going back home.

[Lexcyn]

Seems that if the speed limit sign was not present or was covered up, that's good grounds to have the ticket dismissed. I'd definitely be going to court to fight that.

I don't know about where this is, but usually places have a clause that stipulates a maximum speed if a sign is not present (ie here it states "speed is 50km/h unless otherwise posted).

[LittleNeutrino Veteran]

If i got one of those tickets i would go to court about it just to fight that they had the bags on the signs. i have fought them before and one because officers were doing things they should not (such as one officer would tag you with the speed gun and another officer would pull you over) which in ohio the officer that tags you has to be the one that pulls you over.

[zeta_immersion]

Pay your ticket before going back home.

what if i am not in the wrong? .. for example ... I am used with the SI units and a straight conversion gives 60mph to 100 kph = 104kph ... given certain circumstances I could get pulled over.... even worse not seeing a speed sign and in between speed changes would burn me till tomorrow and back with the fine.

and add to this if it happens on a friday night/weekend ... then what?

[nominak]

what if i am not in the wrong? .. for example ... I am used with the SI units and a straight conversion gives 60mph to 100 kph = 104kph ... given certain circumstances I could get pulled over.... even worse not seeing a speed sign and in between speed changes would burn me till tomorrow and back with the fine.

and add to this if it happens on a friday night/weekend ... then what?

So tehn contest it in court. Also, if you don't know the speed limit, then follow the flow of traffic

[Neb Okla]

If there's no posted sign then they should only be giving out warnings

Most states have rules defining the speed limit "unless otherwise posted". For example, in Ohio the default speed limit is 50 mph on a country road - whether it has speed limit signs or not.

Different types of roads have different default speed limits though depending on whether they are in town and proximity to schools/hospitals - or if they're just in a high-density area. Traffic engineers may set any speed limit for a stretch of road (marked by speed limit signs) based on special circumstances. The details of speed limits for Ohio (as an example) can be found here:

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4511.21

Each state has their own rules though, and while a drivers license for one state is valid in any other, you are responsible for knowing the law wherever you operate a motor vehicle.

So essentially the speed limit signs you see either serve as reminders or as modifiers that may change the speed limit from the defaults listed in the state law.

The idea that drivers may drive any speed they wish as long as they don't see any signs is simply wishful thinking.

[IceBreakerG]

what if i am not in the wrong? .. for example ... I am used with the SI units and a straight conversion gives 60mph to 100 kph = 104kph ... given certain circumstances I could get pulled over.... even worse not seeing a speed sign and in between speed changes would burn me till tomorrow and back with the fine.

and add to this if it happens on a friday night/weekend ... then what?

Ask yourself this simple question: "Do I plan on coming back to the US (or that particular state) again?" If the answer is no, throw it away and forget it. If the answer is yes, pay it (or go to court if possible).

[Tender Foot]

I've never seen a construction zone with out speed limit signs and the posted ones have a much lower speed for workers safety, This seems to be an illegal speed trap set up by DOT and I would fight the ticket if I was them!