Can the Police pull you over if they think you're driving fast, even though your not breaking the speed limit?

Question

Tonight i was pulled over for doing 60 miles per hour along a national speed limit road. These are country lanes with no residential access. I'm not too concerned as i didn't get a ticket or anything, but i am concerned that they are wasting time pulling people over when they should be pulling people over who are breaking the speed limit. They were friendly enough, asked me if this was my car. lol. Does anyone actually answer 'No, i've just stolen it????'

Anyway, i'd just like to know if the police can pull you over if they think your driving at an unsafe speed even though your not breaking the speed limit.

Cheers

Shay

Answer 1

In a word, yes.

The speed limit is a maximum advisory limit. If the road conditions dictate a sensible lower speed then you could be pulled over to advise you of this. What's sensible though is open to interpretation.

As for when the Police can pull you over, this is basically whenever they feel it's necessary to do so. I personally always have some reason to do it though, very often just to give friendly advice instead of a ticket.

Hope this has answered your question in a 'friendly enough' manner! : )

Answer 2

Just because you are not breaking the speed limit doesnt mean that your speed is safe for the conditions and the road at the time.Why should'nt the police ask if it is your car? if they discovered an offence whilst dealing with you it is important to know as both owners and drivers can commit offences.Country lanes are the perfect example of where it is usually unsafe to drive at 60 mph but you are obviously a person who can only see fault in other peoples actions and never question your own.

Answer 3

you may no longer combat this. the reason of a school zone is to guard childrens, and if the zone is in effect, that's legal. This has no longer something to do with the college itself, btw, this is state regulation. The crucial and the college board haven't any say in this in besides, so no think approximately bothering them approximately it. quite, no rely whay a particular speed zone is set up, even if if that's published that's legal. even if if the state by twist of destiny places a clean speed zone sign in an erea, you're estimated to stick to the published speed. i'm unsure why you reported that this replaced into on the crest of a hill, that makes it much greater had to decelerate. What if there have been childrens (in keeping with probability heading to the college to apply the playground) purely over the main appropriate of the hill, hidden from view? Pay your advantageous and save anybody the concern of battling a dropping conflict, the regulation is rather clean in this.

Answer 4

Officers don't just pull over for speed violations, but unsafe driving, illegal lane changes and so on. Some people who break these laws constantly may say "look for real criminals" but in fact, the mind of a criminal is always to blame someone else, or put the blame eslewhere.

Anyone with some sense would admit to making a few mistakes, and being a bit careless perhaps. Cops are protecting everyone's safety, not carrying personal vendettas for those who think 10 miles faster will get them to their destinations. Driving safely includes keeping your speen in check, if anything just at you on th road, it is easier to control your car at lesser speed.

Answer 5

The simple answer is yes they can. Just because there is a speed limit doesn't always mean that it is safe to drive at that speed. It depends on the road conditions at that time.

In relation to them asking you if its your car....... they probably checked PNC and wanted to confirm you were the owner and insured. For all they know you could have borrowed a friends car and be uninsured. So although it seems a silly question to you they are asking for a reason.

Answer 6

The police can stop any motorist if they have reason to suspect that there is anything` amiss` with the motor or the manner in which it is being driven. Depending on the outcome, after speaking to the driver, they are allowed to search the vehicle. As you were travelling fast, it is possible they thought you were not the owner, and that the car was stolen. (Lots of stolen cars are `found` this way)
In answer to your question, does anybody answer `No I`ve stolen it`. Yes some idiots do!!
Many years ago, I was stopped for suspected speeding on a motorway on Christmas Day, as it was the `season of goodwill` I decided that a little joke would be in order, and I gave them `that` answer.They were not amused! They gave me a breath- test (thank heaven I had not had anything to drink) and `held` me until they established, that I was in fact the owner of the car. This served me right, it does well to remember that no one likes a `smartie pants` even on Christmas Day !!

Answer 7

What was the actual reason the officer gave you as to why you were pulled over?

In my state, we cant stop a vehicle without a reason or 'probable cause'. The speed limit is just that, the limit. It doesnt mean drive 65 mph. If the situation or "the totality of circumstances" can show that there is a hazard then you can be stopped.

IE: bad weather, dark-poorly lit area, curvy roadway...etc these all can factor into stopping a car that is driving under the speed limit but is causing a hazard.

Answer 8

sorry to say , YES,
THE police can at any time pull you over if in their opinion you are going to fast for the road and conditions , the speed limits are only a guide, not law, it is law not to go over the limit , but if it says 70 m.p.h. IT means 70 in daylight , no traffic on the road , and good weather conditions.
Think about it , if it was pissing down with rain , dusk , and traffic more heavy than usual , would you not be driving dangerously at 70mph.

Answer 9

You are an easier target than a violent mugger or burglar.

The speed limits are a farce, doing 80mph on a dry straight road in a Porsche is safe but illegal, driving at 30mph past a school in a Fiat Panda is reckless but legal.

Speed limits are out of date (not changed since the 60s but cars are much safer and stop in a fraction of the distance old cars used to.).. they should be revised.

Answer 10

They pulled you over for a reason, not just to waste time. Maybe you were driving a make/model/colour of car they were looking for for another reason, and didn't want to disclose that reason.

As for the "is this your car" question. People in stolen cars will sometimes tell you it belongs to a "friend" but then give you the wrong name. They will sometimes give you the name but not know where they live etc.

Sometimes if we suspect someone of drunk driving, asking some simple questions ie. "is this your car, where are you headed?" will give us a chance to assess the person's condition.

Just as a side note: Here in Ontario, Canada we can pull anyone over just to check to see if they have their paperwork in the vehicle.