Three very specific traffic questions...

[JiNN_kAi]

Hey all! I haven't been to the boards in ages, and that is definitely my fault. Since realizing I would make a horrid LEO, I stopped reading as much. However, I've got three questions that've come into my mind while driving recently and if anyone could answer them that would be awesome..

1) If you are on one road with a speed limit posted and transferring to another road with a posted speed limit via a road WITHOUT a posted limit, what (if there is one) is the required speed for the transferring road? This question came to mind when going from a 65 MPH highway to a 45 MPH roadway; the offramp/transfer road doesn't have a posted limit. Could I be ticketed for doing, say, 60.. on the transfer road since the upcoming road was 45? Common sense would tell me nothing faster than the previous road, but I don't know if this is true either. ( I live in Colorado )

2) Friend has a motorbike (under 50cc) and he says that an officer "pulled him over" but said that because his bike was 50cc he didnt need a liscense/registration/plates -- but he was driving on a public street (in a city). Was this officer uninformed or is this true?

3) If you've signaled into a designated turn lane (such as a solid-lined left turn lane) do you need to keep your signal on for the actual left turn? Or is it assumed because of being in a designated left-turn only lane?

Thanks again for any responses to these questions.. I understand they're pretty specific but they've been driving me nuts lately ;)

[JR_23]

I think I know what exit you're talking about (I-25 and Nevada?). Once the sign changes, then the speed changes...it's as simple as that.

Any vehicle on a public roadway/highway has to be registered and insured...There is a statute pertaining to what vehicles are authorized on public roadways, but I'm to lazy to dig it up.

Have a good one...

[JiNN_kAi]

!!! HOLY CRAP! I-25 and Nevada.. for sure.. good call. So, the person doing what-seemed-like 90 mph down that ramp in front of me was driving legally.. until that 45 mph sign shows up on Nevada?

[JR_23]

Not if he was going 90 lol. I can not think of one exit in the City that has a new posted speed limit. We're a prima facie state, meaning that driving at the "reasonable and prudent" speed doesn't have as much of a factor....but then you get into careless driving...the whole "reasonable and prudent for the existing roadway conditions."

If it sounds confusing, it's because it is to those who aren't in law enforcment :D . Just drive carefully, and you won't attract attention to yourself.

[Ranger__101]

Actually each state law has the basic speed limit for all roads and in the case of going off the Interstate to a ramp, technically the speed limit would be the default for the state (generally 55).

So the guy could get a ticket for speeding if the state law was that single or two lane highways are 55 unless posted higher.

It all comes down to driving at a reasonable and prudent speed and booking off an exit ramp at 90 is not either.

[acreature]

1) If you are on one road with a speed limit posted and transferring to another road with a posted speed limit via a road WITHOUT a posted limit, what (if there is one) is the required speed for the transferring road? This question came to mind when going from a 65 MPH highway to a 45 MPH roadway; the offramp/transfer road doesn't have a posted limit. Could I be ticketed for doing, say, 60.. on the transfer road since the upcoming road was 45? Common sense would tell me nothing faster than the previous road, but I don't know if this is true either. ( I live in Colorado )

2) Friend has a motorbike (under 50cc) and he says that an officer "pulled him over" but said that because his bike was 50cc he didnt need a liscense/registration/plates -- but he was driving on a public street (in a city). Was this officer uninformed or is this true?

3) If you've signaled into a designated turn lane (such as a solid-lined left turn lane) do you need to keep your signal on for the actual left turn? Or is it assumed because of being in a designated left-turn only lane?

1) Speed changes with the sign. Though states have default speed limits when not posted. Usually 55 on Highways, 25-35 on surface streets. If not posted, typically you follow that default speed limit.

2)Same in NC... if less than 50 cc motor size, it is not considered a motorcycle, its considered a moped.

3)When your movements affect other traffic, you must signal. There are morons who will change their mind and turn back into traffic, rather than make the originally intended left turn.

[scott715us]

It will depend on the states. Some set one determined speed for all off-ramps involving an interstate/highway. Others have different posted limits for off-ramps, particularly if it's a short ramp, sharp curve, etc.

In TN, any vehicle upon a public roadway has to be registered, including motorcycles.