States that have minimum posted speed limits and what are they.

[JREwing78]

Back when the minimums were 45 in Michigan (now 55mph), my uncle got pulled over on US-127 south of Lansing for going under the minimum limit, and got a nice fat ticket out of the deal.

[Brandon]

Back when the minimums were 45 in Michigan (now 55mph), my uncle got pulled over on US-127 south of Lansing for going under the minimum limit, and got a nice fat ticket out of the deal.

Some would say the de facto speed limit in Michigan increases as one gets closer to Detroit from 80 to 100 mph.  The MSP have been known to pull over drivers that go too slow on the freeway or obstruct traffic (i.e. left lane hogs), even if the driver is going the posted speed limit.

[BiggieJohn]

Back when the minimums were 45 in Michigan (now 55mph), my uncle got pulled over on US-127 south of Lansing for going under the minimum limit, and got a nice fat ticket out of the deal.

Some would say the de facto speed limit in Michigan increases as one gets closer to Detroit from 80 to 100 mph.  The MSP have been known to pull over drivers that go too slow on the freeway or obstruct traffic (i.e. left lane hogs), even if the driver is going the posted speed limit.

Texas has been known to enforce "traffic flow" over speed.  I was pulled over once near Dallas for doing the posted limit in the right lane, but since EVERY vehicle had to pass me, the cop decided I was impeding the free flow of traffic.  I went to court of course, ticket was dismissed instantly.

[kphoger]

Texas has been known to enforce "traffic flow" over speed.  I was pulled over once near Dallas for doing the posted limit in the right lane, but since EVERY vehicle had to pass me, the cop decided I was impeding the free flow of traffic.  I went to court of course, ticket was dismissed instantly.

In the right lane???  Geez, I pretty much never complain about someone's slow speed as long as they're in the right lane.

[jeffandnicole]

NJ generally doesn't have a specific minimum limit.  And probably due to that, there's no signed minimum throughout the state. 

NJ's Laws:

27:25A-21. Traffic regulations; violations, penalties:

Subsection (d): No person shall operate a vehicle on any project at a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation thereof. 

Subsection (g): Regulations adopted by the authority pursuant to the provisions of this section shall insofar as practicable, having due regard to the features of the project and the characteristics of traffic thereon and except as to maximum or minimum speed limits, be consistent with the provisions of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes applicable to similar subjects. 

39:4-97.1.  Slow speeds as blocking traffic

No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.

Having said that...the NJ Turnpike Authority does have a 35 mph minimum...

http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/documents/regulationsunofficialversionforWebsite.pdf (gotta like that website address...notice the "Regulations unofficial for website"??!!)

(j) No vehicle shall be operated anywhere on the Roadway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, or in any event at a speed of less than 35 miles per hour on level ground except where otherwise posted or when specific hazards exist with respect to traffic, road or weather conditions.

[averill]

Pennsylvania has always had a minimum speed on expressways of 40 MPH.  But is seldom posted.

[Billy F 1988]

Many states have them.

But not all.

Wisconsin, for example, has no minimum speed.  Iowa has 40 mph, Illinois and Indiana have 45 mph, and Michigan uses 55 mph in their 70 mph zones.

Don't forget that Montana does not practice minimum speeds. I-15, 90, and 94 are 75 MPH, 65 for large trucks. US highways 2, 12, 20, 87, 89, 93, 191, 287, and 310 are between 55 to 70 MPH, trucks at between 55 to 60, nighttime limit set to between 50 to 60. Montana state highways are around 55 to 70, and secondaries are somewhere between 45 to 60.

[DaBigE]

Many states have them.

But not all.

Wisconsin, for example, has no minimum speed.

Not completely true. There may not be a numerical, statutory minimum speed, some urban Wisconsin areas do have posted minimum speeds. I've seen a few of the highways around the Milwaukee Metro posted with a 45 minimum. And while not used very often, WisDOT does have a standard minimum speed sign plate.

(1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed so slow as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or is necessary to comply with the law.

(2) The operator of a vehicle moving at a speed so slow as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic shall, if practicable, yield the roadway to an overtaking vehicle whenever the operator of the overtaking vehicle gives audible warning with a warning device and shall move at a reasonably increased speed or yield the roadway to overtaking vehicles when directed to do so by a traffic officer.

[PurdueBill]

Cleveland has some examples of combo signs that go as low as 50/35 on I-77; Akron has some bizzaro unattended "Minimum 40" signs nowhere near speed LIMIT signs.  Outside urban areas I don't recall seeing minimum signs in Ohio, although there may some I haven't seen.

[KEK Inc.]

While technically, Washington does state that a minimum speed limit can be designated by local traffic engineers and/or authorities, I have yet to see a posted minimum speed limit sign.  I have never seen one in Oregon or California as well.  I believe that impeding traffic is a traffic violation that practically all states share.



Slightly related, mainly unrelated, but this is probably the lowest [maximum] speed limit I have seen on I-5.

[spmkam]

On I-95 in CT, the minimum speed is 40, but with traffic, sometimes that is hard to achieve.

[kkt]

Slightly related, mainly unrelated, but this is probably the lowest [maximum] speed limit I have seen on I-5.

But that's not a maximum speed limit, that's a caution speed based on traffic congestion.

[NE2]

But that's not a maximum speed limit, that's a caution speed based on traffic congestion.

Huh? Looks to me like it's intended as a regulatory limit. But who can tell post hipstergramming?

[NE2]

So is this thread supposed to be about posted minimum speed limits? Because the minimum posted speed limit is a totally different herd of goats.

[agentsteel53]

black with white text on a speed limit sign is - theoretically, anyway - regulatory.  at least, in California, prior to 1971. 

as for minimum posted speed limit - yes, every state has one, by definition.  I'm willing to bet most general-use ones are 5mph.  some states will have weigh stations that go lower.

[kkt]

But that's not a maximum speed limit, that's a caution speed based on traffic congestion.

Huh? Looks to me like it's intended as a regulatory limit. But who can tell post hipstergramming?

My point was that it's not the maximum speed limit for that stretch of I-5.  If you happened to be driving there in noncongested times, the speed limit would be 60.

[jeffandnicole]

black with white text on a speed limit sign is - theoretically, anyway - regulatory.  at least, in California, prior to 1971. 

as for minimum posted speed limit - yes, every state has one, by definition.  I'm willing to bet most general-use ones are 5mph.  some states will have weigh stations that go lower.

The State of New Jersey's definition isn't a numeric number.  It's simply driving as such a slow speed where one is blocking traffic. 

The NJ Turnpike Authority's rule is "No vehicle shall be operated anywhere on the Roadway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, or in any event at a speed of less than 35 miles per hour on level ground except where otherwise posted or when specific hazards exist with respect to traffic, road or weather conditions."

[jwolfer]

I do not know if anyone posted this before or not, but the State of Florida used to have statewide interstate and freeway minimum speeds that if a vehicle was going slower than that, could be ticketed unless there is heavy volume of course.

Sometime in the 90s the Florida Turnpike Enterprise and FDOT District 5 removed the signs in their jursidictions, but other areas in the state kept them still.  It was 40 mph when it was all over, then it beacme 45 along I-4 and now, I believe it became 50 in Polk County on I-4.

What other states still practice this kind of thing?  I know that PA uses it on its Turnpike, but I am not sure if its regular interstates practice it there.

All the interstates in FL used to have minimum 40.  A few years ago where the speed-limit is 70 the minmum is now 50.  I saw an article I think on Jacksonville.com that said it was changed because they wanted the set minimum speed no more than 20MPH below the posted maximum

[1995hoo]

black with white text on a speed limit sign is - theoretically, anyway - regulatory.  at least, in California, prior to 1971. 

as for minimum posted speed limit - yes, every state has one, by definition.  I'm willing to bet most general-use ones are 5mph.  some states will have weigh stations that go lower.

The State of New Jersey's definition isn't a numeric number.  It's simply driving as such a slow speed where one is blocking traffic. 

The NJ Turnpike Authority's rule is "No vehicle shall be operated anywhere on the Roadway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, or in any event at a speed of less than 35 miles per hour on level ground except where otherwise posted or when specific hazards exist with respect to traffic, road or weather conditions."

What I think he means is the grammatical difference between "minimum posted speed limit" and "posted minimum speed limit." The former simply means the lowest number on any speed limit sign anywhere in the state. The latter means they post a sign advising of the lowest legal speed 

[KEK Inc.]

But that's not a maximum speed limit, that's a caution speed based on traffic congestion.

Huh? Looks to me like it's intended as a regulatory limit. But who can tell post hipstergramming?

My point was that it's not the maximum speed limit for that stretch of I-5.  If you happened to be driving there in noncongested times, the speed limit would be 60.

It's a variable speed zone.  It's not a caution or 'recommended' speed; it's regulatory.  You [legally] MUST go 30 MPH if the sign says so.   Yes, if the sign is off, it would be 60.

[corco]

secondaries are somewhere between 45 to 60

Plenty of secondaries are 70

[kkt]

But that's not a maximum speed limit, that's a caution speed based on traffic congestion.

Huh? Looks to me like it's intended as a regulatory limit. But who can tell post hipstergramming?

My point was that it's not the maximum speed limit for that stretch of I-5.  If you happened to be driving there in noncongested times, the speed limit would be 60.

It's a variable speed zone.  It's not a caution or 'recommended' speed; it's regulatory.  You [legally] MUST go 30 MPH if the sign says so.   Yes, if the sign is off, it would be 60.

Are there still some roads where there's a lower speed limit at night?  If so, would you call the nighttime limit the maximum speed limit and ignore the daytime limit?

[jeffandnicole]

black with white text on a speed limit sign is - theoretically, anyway - regulatory.  at least, in California, prior to 1971. 

as for minimum posted speed limit - yes, every state has one, by definition.  I'm willing to bet most general-use ones are 5mph.  some states will have weigh stations that go lower.

The State of New Jersey's definition isn't a numeric number.  It's simply driving as such a slow speed where one is blocking traffic. 

The NJ Turnpike Authority's rule is "No vehicle shall be operated anywhere on the Roadway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, or in any event at a speed of less than 35 miles per hour on level ground except where otherwise posted or when specific hazards exist with respect to traffic, road or weather conditions."

What I think he means is the grammatical difference between "minimum posted speed limit" and "posted minimum speed limit." The former simply means the lowest number on any speed limit sign anywhere in the state. The latter means they post a sign advising of the lowest legal speed 

So that would be the lowest maximum speed limit, or simply the lowest speed limit.

[vdeane]

But that's not a maximum speed limit, that's a caution speed based on traffic congestion.

Huh? Looks to me like it's intended as a regulatory limit. But who can tell post hipstergramming?

My point was that it's not the maximum speed limit for that stretch of I-5.  If you happened to be driving there in noncongested times, the speed limit would be 60.

It's a variable speed zone.  It's not a caution or 'recommended' speed; it's regulatory.  You [legally] MUST go 30 MPH if the sign says so.   Yes, if the sign is off, it would be 60.

Then the permanent speed limit for the zone is 60.  The 30 is the same as if there was a work zone or something.  It's temporary and specific to unusual circumstances.

In Alanland, the minimum speed limit is higher than the maximum.

[bugo]