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The most common type of traffic violation is a speeding ticket. Police officers often clock people for going over the posted limit. But going too fast isn’t the only thing that drivers need to consider, because cops can nail you for other types of speeding tickets. 

What are the different types of speeding tickets? 

The most common type of speeding ticket occurs when a police officer catches drivers going over the posted speed limit. 

In states with an absolute speed limit, you can get pulled for only going one mile over the limit. If the posted limit is 65 and you go 66 mph, then you have technically violated the law. 

But the states like Texas and California with a presumed speed limit, you can technically travel over the posted limit as long as you are driving safely. 

If you travel 45 mph in a 40 mph zone, you are presumed to have been violating the law, but a judge may dismiss your charge if you convince them that you were driving safely. However, it’s best to hire a lawyer and seek legal advice. 

In a basic speed limit state, you can violate the law if you drive at or below the posted limit. For example, a police officer can decide that driving at the speed limit isn’t safe based on driving conditions. 

If it is raining or snowing heavily then an officer may decide that driving at the posted limit is too dangerous until conditions improve. 

A man getting a speeding ticket from a cop
A man getting a speeding ticket | iStock

You don’t have to be going too fast to get a speeding ticket. You may have noticed that police cars will pull people over for driving under the speed limit. 

Driving too slowly can impede the normal flow of traffic and create dangerous situations. People who go 15 mph under the speed limit in good driving conditions are breaking the law. 

Plus, it increases the risks of accidents, prevents people from safely passing, and leads to more congestion. 

You need to pay attention to school zones. In some cases, there are signs posted that post a lower speed limit while the lights are flashing. 

But sometimes the limits could be malfunctioning. It’s best to always slow down while passing a school, even in the summer as kids could be going to summer school or sports practice. 

Also, slow down in work zones. The temporary speed limits aren’t there for just decoration. They are intended to help keep workers safe.

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Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.