Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I have searched through the forums however I did not come across anything pertaining to this situation. I was driving at about 35 mph (speed limit was 30) and coming over a hill. I let off the accelerator and coasted down the hill, and there was a police officer coming the opposite way. He immediately turned around and pulled me over saying I was going 40. I have heard (and it could be urban legend) that it is not allowed to ticket someone for speeding while they are on a downhill, but I am not positive. Also, he was driving towards me at the time, so I was also wondering how accurate his radar could be from about 50 or so yards away while he was driving. Any help would be appreciated. Also, I live in Illinois if that makes a difference with driving laws. Thanks.

Sorry, you are required to control your speed. And if it was not allowed why do you think he wrote you the ticket? Do you think the officer was just violating the law to give you a ticket?

Moving RADAR has been around for years and is accurate and reliable.

OH! Was he wearing his hat?

What did the cop that pulled you over explain to you? I'm sure he would have said the same thing as txinvestigator1 and DC Law. If that urban legend was true, we'd have everyone and their uncle speeding down hills...."Look ma, no brakes!"

I have NEVER seen a speed limit sign that said " Speed Limit 30 mph except when going downhill" :)

there (meant to say is) something here about percentage grade and using radar, but it doesn't mean someone else can't be used to judge speed.

Sounds like the old, "You can't give me a ticket for speeding- I was PASSING someone".

Right. Pay the Clerk.

there (meant to say 'is') something here about percentage grade and using radar, but it doesn't mean someone else can't be used to judge speed.

Actually, it's percentage of angle, and it works in the violator's FAVOR. (Shows lower than actual speed) You aren't going to find a hill steep enough for the effect to be noticeable. ;)

Actually, it's percentage of angle, and it works in the violator's FAVOR. (Shows lower than actual speed) You aren't going to find a hill steep enough for the effect to be noticeable. ;)
True. In most cases if there is RADAR reading error it's to the violators favor. If I get someone going downhill I always ask if they have any brake problems. If they say no...they get a ticket. If they say yes they DO have brake problems...they get a ticket :D


I asked this old lady I stopped if she had brake problems and she snapped back "I'm stoppped now aint I!"

Me: Yes ma'am, keep your seat I'll be back with your summons

It's an urban legend. You are required to maintain a speed that is at or below the posted limit and above the posted minimum if there is any.

Why, don't your brakes work? usually they slow ya down on hills. when you are going downhill behind another vehicle, and that vehicle is applying brakes but you are not, who's fault is it when you rear end him? the same circumstances apply. Just some food for thought. :-D

I don't use my brakes when I go down a hill...







I just downshift and the motor slows me down :D

[QUOTE=Darin]If they say yes they DO have brake problems...they get a ticket :D

That is when you write them two tickets. One for the speeding and one for the equipment violation... :D

Speeding down a hill is not only illegal, but stupid.

if you would have sped up approaching the top of the hill maybe you would have gotten some airtime and would have flown over his radar like a stealth fighter :D

happened to me once...41 in 25 coming downhill, sarge was sitting at the bottom of the hill and i saw him put the radar down right as i reached the stop sign.

easy way to solve that is to let off the gas just before reaching the top of the hill.

It is somewhat hilly where I live. We run speed enforcment ( it isn't a trap because you don't have to speed) on a steep hill that goes from one town to the next. We get them going uphill every bit as fast as going downhill. Care to explain this anyone ?? :)

people tend to have a positive acceleration when they go up hill? :D

The usual excuse is that they have to build up speed to get up the hill ??

Sign here please :)

"but the roller coaster is so much fun, daddy! can we do it again......."