Question for Police Officers (and others)...

Steve Dallas · 07-09-2010, 10:17 AM

I do a lot of driving on mountain roads here in Washington. I've never ever been pulled over for this, but was curious how this is enforced.

The question is about passing cars, when it's legal to pass (dotted line).

It's not uncommon to run into cars doing less than the speed limit. I was basically taught to pass by continuing to accerate until you're clear of the vehicle you are passing, and have pulled back into your side of the road.

On my Impala, this isn't an issue. Passing someone doing 50 on a 55 means you -might- do 65 by the time that happens.

On the Camaro, however, I'm usually easily doing 75 or 80...but slowing down immediately after the pass. I guess I could pass slower, but I'm of the opinion that you want to spend as little time as possible in the opposite lane.

So, my question is...if you see someone making a legal pass and slowing down (even the Impala only doing 65 in a 55 and slowing down afterwards), would you pull them over?

PQ · 07-09-2010, 10:23 AM

Not if the were driving an automatic.

The Reaper · 07-09-2010, 10:28 AM

As I understand it even though you are passing you still have to obey speed laws, IE if you have to exceed the speed limit to pass that constitutes an unsafe pass.

Steve Dallas · 07-09-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PQ

Not if the were driving an automatic.

Can you even pass people in an automatic?

Brokinarrow · 07-09-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

Can you even pass people in an automatic?

zing! I think The Reaper was right technically, but more than likely the cop was being a stickler if they busted you on it. Just mho

redvette24 · 07-09-2010, 11:39 AM

To answer the question as basically as possible.

No.

But there are many cops whose sole assignment is to issue tickets . So I can see a cop pulling you over and asking you 'WHATS THE RUSH'.

formare · 07-09-2010, 11:51 AM

The posted limit is the maximum limit allowed by law - often a minimum speed is posted showing the minimum allowed by law. Even 1 mph over exceeds the legal limit. These days speed limits are like Blood Alcohol Limits; if you are over then you are over...

Brokinarrow · 07-09-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formare

The posted limit is the maximum limit allowed by law - often a minimum speed is posted showing the minimum allowed by law. Even 1 mph over exceeds the legal limit. These days speed limits are like Blood Alcohol Limits; if you are over then you are over...

Really? Would hate to live in Chicago then, Iowa police are still pretty tolerant of the 'standard' 5 mph over. Driven past plenty of them doing 60 in a 55 etc and they didn't even twitch. And that's really not the best analogy, drunk driving gets people killed, and I've seen people that drive under or at the speed limit that are MUCH more dangerous than people doing 5 or 10 mph over.

GoldBowtie · 07-09-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

Can you even pass people in an automatic?

Two pedals are usually faster than three pedals

formare · 07-09-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

Really? Would hate to live in Chicago then, Iowa police are still pretty tolerant of the 'standard' 5 mph over. Driven past plenty of them doing 60 in a 55 etc and they didn't even twitch. And that's really not the best analogy, drunk driving gets people killed, and I've seen people that drive under or at the speed limit that are MUCH more dangerous than people doing 5 or 10 mph over.

I am with you - tolerance of the legal limit is a good thing. Just saying at any moment law enforcement could enforce the legal law. Mostly in Ohio that you need to watch 57 in a 55 almost always will get you a ticket. In chicago you need to be speeding with someone holding a bloody head out the window to be stopped on the highway.

Steve Dallas · 07-09-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldBowtie

Two pedals are usually faster than three pedals

More consistent in the 1/4 mile, yes. Faster, no. Especially when we're talking about rolling acceleration like passing where the 26 horsepower is going to make more difference

RedJewelSS · 07-09-2010, 12:49 PM

ive had it happen to me on my bike. i was probably doing 70 passing a car. pull back into my lane and bam theres a cop coming the other way. the limit was 55 i think. she was very nice and kinda good looking. she rides also and ended up letting me go for the speed but made me go to court because i only had a temporary insurance card that was printed on my printer. i just had to go show the judge a real card and everything was ok.

Tessa · 07-09-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

Can you even pass people in an automatic?

I do it daily with no issues - I think you cna pass way better in an auto, don't have to waste time shifting - just floor it and Goooooooo!

PQ · 07-09-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

Can you even pass people in an automatic?

Nope. They're too fast.

07-09-2010, 10:17 AM	#1
Steve Dallas Commits weekly crime Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Camano Island, WA Posts: 9,513 View My Garage	Question for Police Officers (and others)... I do a lot of driving on mountain roads here in Washington. I've never ever been pulled over for this, but was curious how this is enforced. The question is about passing cars, when it's legal to pass (dotted line). It's not uncommon to run into cars doing less than the speed limit. I was basically taught to pass by continuing to accerate until you're clear of the vehicle you are passing, and have pulled back into your side of the road. On my Impala, this isn't an issue. Passing someone doing 50 on a 55 means you -might- do 65 by the time that happens. On the Camaro, however, I'm usually easily doing 75 or 80...but slowing down immediately after the pass. I guess I could pass slower, but I'm of the opinion that you want to spend as little time as possible in the opposite lane. So, my question is...if you see someone making a legal pass and slowing down (even the Impala only doing 65 in a 55 and slowing down afterwards), would you pull them over? __________________ 2017 Camaro 1LT - Blue Barchetta IV I fire up the willing engine, responding with a roar. Tires spitting gravel I commit my weekly crime.

07-09-2010, 10:23 AM	#2
PQ Booooosted. Drives: 2010 Supercharged SS Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 36,717 View My Garage	Not if the were driving an automatic. __________________

07-09-2010, 10:28 AM	#3
The Reaper Founding Member of CTCC Drives: 2010 2SS RS RJT w/Silver Stripes Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 709 View My Garage	As I understand it even though you are passing you still have to obey speed laws, IE if you have to exceed the speed limit to pass that constitutes an unsafe pass. __________________ It's not how big your motor is, it's how well you shift it !!

07-09-2010, 11:39 AM	#6
redvette24 Drives: 2004 Corvette Coupe Join Date: May 2010 Location: Queens NY Posts: 46	To answer the question as basically as possible. No. But there are many cops whose sole assignment is to issue tickets . So I can see a cop pulling you over and asking you 'WHATS THE RUSH'. __________________

07-09-2010, 11:51 AM	#7
formare The Milano Drives: 2017 Firefly ShipWorks Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chicagoland (Crown Point, IN) Posts: 1,877 View My Garage	The posted limit is the maximum limit allowed by law - often a minimum speed is posted showing the minimum allowed by law. Even 1 mph over exceeds the legal limit. These days speed limits are like Blood Alcohol Limits; if you are over then you are over... __________________ My first Love. She was called "Miss Carriage" (still cry when I think about her) 383, Muncie 4 speed, custom linkage mated to hurst short throw shifter.

07-09-2010, 12:49 PM	#12
RedJewelSS Drives: six in a row makes it go Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Delaware Posts: 610 View My Garage	ive had it happen to me on my bike. i was probably doing 70 passing a car. pull back into my lane and bam theres a cop coming the other way. the limit was 55 i think. she was very nice and kinda good looking. she rides also and ended up letting me go for the speed but made me go to court because i only had a temporary insurance card that was printed on my printer. i just had to go show the judge a real card and everything was ok. __________________ brian 2010 camaro SS. LS3/6SPD (sold) 2003 Jeep Wrangler/Rubicon/NV3550 1989 F-150 4x4/300 I6/M5ODR2 1982 mustang. 351W/414stroker C4 9" rear. bracket racer 1977 F-100 5.9L 12V Cummins conversion/NV5600