Can You Legally Go 10mph Over The Speed Limit in Connecticut?

When it comes to speeding many of us work under certain assumptions.

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Most of us think, 10 miles per hour over the speed limit is no big deal but is that how the law sees it?

I have a system I use and it works like this:

• If I am on the highway where the speed limit is 55 or 65, I can drive 15 miles per hour over the speed limit and not get a ticket.
• If I am on a regular road where the speed limit is 35 or 45, I can drive 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and not get a ticket.
• If I am in a residential area, I can go 5 miles per hour over the speed limit and not get a ticket.
• If I am in a school zone, I cannot speed.

That is my system and it has served me well but it's not scientific and the law is all that matters. So, what does Connecticut have to say about going 10 miles per hour over the posted Speed Limit?

This is what Driving Laws has to say about Connecticut's Speeding Laws:

Basic Speeding Law - Connecticut's basic speeding law prohibits driving at a speed "greater than is reasonable, having regard to the width, traffic and use of highway, road or parking area, the intersection of streets and weather conditions." In other words, motorists must always drive at a speed that's safe given the current conditions. So, driving below the posted speed limit doesn't necessarily shield a motorist from getting a speeding ticket. The official label for a violation of the basic speed limit is "traveling unreasonably fast." The offense is an infraction.

Absolute Speed Limits - With absolute speed limits, it's pretty simple—if you drive faster than the absolute speed limit, you've violated the law. In Connecticut, the state-wide maximum speed limit is 65 miles per hour. The 65-mile-per-hour limit applies to most rural state freeways. Speed limits in urban residential and business districts are normally 25 miles per hour, while the limits on urban freeways generally range from 45 to 55 miles per hour.

What does it all mean?

1. If you drive over the posted speed limit, you're violating the law and you can get a ticket. So, no it is NOT LEGAL to travel over the posted speed limit, even if it is just 10 mph over.

2. Since Connecticut has vague language in the law about reasonable speeds and varying road conditions, a Trooper could still pull you over if you're driving under the speed limit and they deem it to be dangerous. For example, it has snowed, the roads are in bad condition and if you're doing 64 mph in a 65 mph zone, you can still get a ticket.

3. You can also get more severe penalties as you go up in speed. Auto Traffic Tickets says: "If you are ticketed for speeding, not only will you receive a fine but you will also have to pay a surcharge. The exact cost is dependent upon how far above the speed limit you were traveling."

• Those driving <10 mph above the speed limit can be fined up to $150.
• Those driving 11 – 30 mph above the speed limit can be fined up to $300.
• Those driving 31 or more mph above the speed limit can be fined up to $600.

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