Exit ramp speed question???

[BmannZR2]

Hi all, got a question that I would like some input on. This based on something that I experienced and did not get pulled over but it made me think about the situation of how the speed signs are posted at exit ramps...

Late one night I was very cautiously driving the speed limit of 65 on the freeway coming home and came to my exit where I usually just slow to the 50mph speed of the feeder to exit and thought nothing of it until I saw the po-po perched in a bank driveway waiting for a victim. I past him with no problem but I realized there was a yellow sign prior to the exit stating 35mph. It just didn't make sense to go from 65 to 35 and have to get back up to 50 in such a short stretch of road. That would be extremely dangerous to slow down that quick and then punch it to get back up to the merging traffic on the feeder...

It's just something that's been on mind that I want to know if they can legaly pull you over for not getting down to 35mph.

 

Sorry for the long story but I wanted to get the details in there.

 

[Chiefmorton]

The yellow signs are the recommended speed and not the actual speed limit like the white signs.

[Roofer]

Really?

[RyanbabZ71]

I say it is a "suggested" speed

 

[waumo1]

He was probably watching for a particular vehicle. For example they want to arrest someone and know what vehicle they drive and what times the person is likely to head home. Also maybe a drug sting or the like. I see them sitting around in our area watching and since they don't even take after obvious speeders, something else is going on.

 

Of course if they want to, they can just give you a "too fast for conditions" ticket regardless of what the speed limit sign says.

[&CDFiXER%]

Ah, but they can getcha for going over that yellow posted speed under 'too fast for conditions'.

[MikeNH]

Yellow signs like that are recommended, the only ones you need to worry about are the normal black and white signs or the construction signs. If you get stopped for speeding and they give that as a reason, you've done something else or they're looking for something/someone.

[wurgs]

The yellow signs post what that particular speed that stretch of road is designed for. Some vehicles can safely drive above that speed depending on conditions but usually its set by sharpness of curves, site distance and condition of the road itself.

[BmannZR2]

Thanks for all the input...

If I would have got pulled over I would have probably went to jail for other reasons but it scared me enough to make me search for more answers...

[MikeNH]

Thanks for all the input...

If I would have got pulled over I would have probably went to jail for other reasons but it scared me enough to make me search for more answers...

 

 

 

You probably shouldn't do stupid things if you don't know your traffic laws. That's how like every episode of Cops starts.

[jdubub]

Thanks for all the input...

If I would have got pulled over I would have probably went to jail for other reasons but it scared me enough to make me search for more answers...

 

 

HAHA better be careful here in wonderful Houston . I've had some run ins on Crystal Beach just because they were bored. Never in the city tho, they have too much real stuff to worry about

[Mike74]

Not sure what Texas says about it, but this is directly from the State of FL code. Just like what has been mentioned..

 

 

16. Advisory speed signs are warning signs and display recommended maximum

 

 

 

comfortable and safe speed rather than the maximum legal speed as displayed on

 

 

 

regulatory signs used for speed zoning. Hence, their color is yellow and black

 

 

 

(orange and black for work site application) rather than white and black.

 

 

 

 

The

 

 

 

MUTCD illustrates two types of these signs in Section 2C-35 and 2C-36.

 

 

 

a. The ADVISORY SPEED (W13-1) plate is a supplemental square sign which

 

 

 

“…shall not be used in conjunction with any sign other than a warning sign,

 

 

 

nor shall it be used alone” (Old edition of the MUTCD). The MUTCD further

 

 

 

states “Except in emergencies, or at construction or maintenance sites,

 

 

 

where the situation calling for an advisory speed is temporary, an Advisory

 

 

 

Speed plate shall not be erected until the recommended speed has been

 

 

 

determined by accepted traffic engineering procedure.” Concerning

 

 

 

temporary speed signs the MUTCD also states: “Warning signs with

 

 

 

advisory speed limits should be posted at those locations where the safe

 

 

 

speed is lower than the normal legal limit. At selected locations, reduced

 

 

 

legal maximum limits may be established as provided by statute and

 

 

 

posted accordingly.” (Old edition)

 

 

 

b. The ADVISORY EXIT SPEED (W13-2 and W13-3) signs are rectangular

 

 

 

signs which are used alone prior to and/or on expressway and freeway

 

 

 

ramps, and like the ADVISORY SPEED (W13-1) plate, are intended for use

 

 

 

where engineering investigations show the need of advising drivers of the

 

 

 

recommended maximum comfortable and safe speed.

 

 

 

ADVISORY SPEED signs are not meant to show a speed beyond which a

 

 

 

vehicle will spin out (if on a horizontal curve) or bottom out (if used for a dip or

 

 

 

hump in the roadway). Rather, they allow for a comfortable margin of safety

 

 

because of variations in vehicle and pavement characteristics.

 

Now, as mentioned above, the "legal" speed limit is in ideal conditions. I have written tickets in the past during rain storms where an individual is traveling the posted speed limit, however because of the roadway being flooded or the rain being so sever that visibilty is limited, it was unsafe. We run into it more in the fog here than anything, Same with a motor vehicle accident and the person says that they were doing the speed limit, but visibility was severly reduced, they are cited.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Being law enforcement I know for a fact that the yellow sign you are talking about is the DOT's (Department Of Transportation) recommended "safe speed" for all vehicles to negotiate the curve/turn. If you really pay attention when you are driving, you will see these all over the place and not just on exit ramps, guess they are just alittle more noticable there.

 

LOL....you should of had a question about different signs for your license test, how quick we forget.. LOL, no big deal though.

[slapshot]

Mike74 is dead on. The yellow signs are advisory signs and not a legal speed limit sign. I've seen many crashes where 18 wheelers felt they could go faster and end up rolling over. The only citation I'd write there would be too fast for conditions in bad weather.

[jro909]

speed signs are designed as a general number to maximize fuel economy and safety