Virginia Speed Limit Increase: Potential Penalties & Call to Action

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SUMMARY

The recent bill in Virginia has increased the speed limit on rural interstate highways from 65 MPH to 70 MPH. However, the state maintains strict penalties for reckless driving, defined as driving 20 MPH over the limit or exceeding 80 MPH, which carries a mandatory court appearance and a fine of $750. This has raised concerns among drivers about the potential for receiving reckless driving tickets even when driving at what may be considered safe speeds in traffic. Participants in the discussion advocate for adjusting the reckless driving threshold to align with the new speed limit to avoid unfair penalties.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Virginia's traffic laws, specifically regarding speed limits and reckless driving.
  • Familiarity with the implications of traffic violations and their penalties.
  • Knowledge of safe driving practices in varying traffic conditions.
  • Awareness of the legislative process regarding traffic laws in Virginia.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specifics of Virginia's reckless driving laws and penalties.
  • Investigate the legislative process for proposing changes to traffic laws in Virginia.
  • Learn about safe driving techniques in high-traffic scenarios.
  • Explore the impact of speed limit changes on traffic safety and law enforcement practices.
USEFUL FOR

Virginia drivers, traffic law advocates, and policymakers interested in understanding the implications of speed limit changes and reckless driving penalties.

  • #31
Josh111 said:
Many people in the DC area do 60 anyway. Agree?

If the traffic isn't too bad, yeah. As I posted, the danger is generally going faster or slower than the flow of traffic, which is generally dictated by road design more than anything else.
 
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  • #32
FYI, "Speed Limit Enforced by Aircraft" is not a bluff in VA. They actually do this, much to my surprise.
 
  • #33
DavidSnider said:
FYI, "Speed Limit Enforced by Aircraft" is not a bluff in VA. They actually do this, much to my surprise.
Tell me about it. :-p

file.php?2,file=15383,filename=apache.jpg
 
  • #34
Borg said:
Tell me about it. :-p

file.php?2,file=15383,filename=apache.jpg

:smile:
 
  • #35
DavidSnider said:
FYI, "Speed Limit Enforced by Aircraft" is not a bluff in VA. They actually do this, much to my surprise.

REALLY!? I always went :rolleyes: to those signs. Did you get a ticket from a helicopter/airplane? This I have to hear.
 
  • #36
Cyrus said:
REALLY!? I always went :rolleyes: to those signs. Did you get a ticket from a helicopter/airplane? This I have to hear.
I always considered it a bluff too: I can't imagine how many $100 fines an hour they would have to issue to pay for a light plane or helicopter!
 
  • #37
russ_watters said:
I always considered it a bluff too: I can't imagine how many $100 fines an hour they would have to issue to pay for a light plane or helicopter!

Duh, that's why they use spare hellfire rockets, then sieze your estate. :smile:
 
  • #38
Cyrus said:
REALLY!? I always went :rolleyes: to those signs. Did you get a ticket from a helicopter/airplane? This I have to hear.

No a friend did. The planes radio down to a group of around 10 cops down the road who are waiting to actually issue the tickets.
 
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  • #39
DavidSnider said:
No a friend did. The planes radio down to a group of around 10 cops down the road who are waiting to actually issue the tickets.

That is badass.
 
  • #40
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010301725.html

Signs warning drivers about speed-detecting aircraft are planted along the region's interstates. But the unit had only nine missions resulting in 111 tickets statewide in 2004, compared with 48 missions and almost 70 tickets when aerial enforcement began in 2002. From January to October 2006, the unit flew 31 missions and issued 437 tickets, not including the 23 reckless driving citations issued on a recent Saturday when only those traveling faster than 80 mph were targeted.
 
  • #41
russ_watters said:
I always considered it a bluff too: I can't imagine how many $100 fines an hour they would have to issue to pay for a light plane or helicopter!

About two or three, per hour!
 
  • #42
DavidSnider said:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010301725.html

I fight your source, with a counter source!

At its peak, Virginia State Police issued around 2,145 tickets per year as a result of the aerial enforcement program. However, since then, the numbers have been declining. As it costs about $90/hour to keep the Cessnas staffed and maintained, Virginia has decided to suspend the aerial enforcement program as a result of millions of dollars in budget cuts which have also forced the closure of the Manassas, Virginia airport and the sale of one of its planes.

http://www.vapersonalinjuryaccidentattorney.com/library/virginia-ends-aerial-speed-enforcement-program.cfm
 
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