I was watching a TV show called "Speeders" last night. For those that don't know what it is, it's pretty much a TV camera watching select cops while they are on patrol and showing the TV viewers what's going on during these pullovers.

Anywho, I was flipping back and forth between two channels, so I missed the part where the cop was lining up and shooting the cars passing him, but saw what was happening as the guy got pulled over. The speeder's defense was "I was going with the flow of traffic". The cop went back to his car and was talking to the TV audience saying something like "The driver stated that he was going with the flow of traffic. He thinks that because he's going with the flow, it makes it OK to drive over the speed limit but it's not".

So my question is, if you're driving in a 50mph zone, and the flow is going 65mph, if you actually followed the rules and went the speed limit, wouldn't that make you a hazard to the other cars on the road? I would think going with the flow (even if over the limit) would keep things moving smoothly on the roads and therefore would prevent any potential accidents.

What do you think?

Discuss.

 

On a road with more than one lane in each direction, it would not make for a good excuse as you should be traveling in the right lane if you are slower than the rest of the traffic.

On a road with only one lane in each direction and solid lines indicating no passing, then the maybe, but still not likely to work.

 

It wouldn't work...

There is no excuse that will let you speed, even if driving to the hospital

 

I was pulled over about 6 years ago on the Palisades (heading to Park Ave Acura for service). There were a lot of cars on the highway and I was in a pack just cruising along in the left lane... and I got pulled over. When he asked me how fast I was going I told him I honestly was not sure as I was just going with the traffic flow. Luckily he let me off with a warning, but he told me that going with the traffic flow is not a defense and just b/c everyone else is going fast doesn't mean it's legal. He said he pulled me over b/c I switched lanes and I didn't signal... but I had not switched lanes in miles, way before I passed him, so he let me go...

 

I was driving northbound on the 57 freeway here in so cal once, only a few cars around me, no traffic flow really. I see a CHP off in the distance behind me so I slow to the posted speed limit (65mph) because I didn't want to get a ticket, and remember, there is nobody around me except for a few cars that we not behind me. I kid you not, he pulls up next to me, gets on his air horn and tells me to speed up or move over! I was going the fucking speed limit!

The problem with cops is that it's subjective as to what they want to do with you. some will give you a warning, some will give you a ticket for speeding, some will give you a ticket for going too slow (even if it's the speed limit). some say go with the flow, and some cops say what this cop said.

IMHO, they are all As long as they make the rules and don't abide by them themselves, we're

 

^^^ forgot to add, I didn't move over from the #1 lane because I didn't want to make it appear I was guilty because I moved over when I saw him coming. Which I've heard cops use as an excuse before. But i'm well aware that the left lane is for passing, I was going faster than 65mph before he showed up.

 

When they ask you do you know how fast you were going always say "NO" at least if you end up taking the ticket to court, they don't have a confession from you saying I was going with the flow.

 

^ Double edge sword though b/c if you say no they can use that against you saying you were not even paying attention while you were driving. I had some friends in NY who are cops and they preferred you give the number then saying no b/c you're either lying, not paying attention while driving... or both if you say no.

If I get pulled over for speeding and they ask me I usually give them an answer near the speed limit but below what I was actually doing...

 

I don't think that would make you a hazzard to traffic. The flow in front of you would be going 65 and the flow behind you would be be going 50. Only risk of danger there are if the people behind you are being asses and riding your tail.

 

I agree. Unfortunately, most NA drivers don't know which lane to be in to keep up with traffic.


Terry