Exceeding Maximum Speed by 26-30 MPH

Picture this: you’re driving on a quiet road at night, the streets are clear, and you’re just focused on getting home. You press a little harder on the gas. Suddenly, you see flashing lights in your rearview mirror and hear the distinct sound of a siren. A police officer pulls you over and hands you a citation for driving 26-30 mph over the speed limit.

Receiving a speeding ticket is a frustrating experience for any driver in Bedford. The consequences can be more severe than many people realize, ranging from points added to your license and expensive fines to a significant increase in your car insurance premiums. In more serious situations, you could even face a driver’s license suspension. But you don’t have to face this alone. Logue Law Group is here to help. Our skilled team of Bedford traffic lawyers specializes in handling these exact situations, working to minimize or completely avoid these negative outcomes.

Key Information About Speeding Laws

It’s essential to understand some important facts about speeding regulations. First and foremost, driving faster than the posted speed limit is illegal in Bedford. If you find yourself on an expressway or a street that doesn’t have a visible speed limit sign, you should follow these default speed limits:

• Expressways: 55 MPH
• Streets in nonresidential areas: 35 MPH
• Streets in residential areas: 25 MPH

Law enforcement uses several different tools to measure a vehicle’s speed accurately. Generally, you must be traveling at least 6 MPH over the speed limit to be ticketed. However, there are exceptions. In a designated school zone, you can be cited for going just 1 MPH over the posted limit. A knowledgeable Bedford speeding ticket attorney can help you understand the specifics of your situation.

The Consequences of Exceeding the Speed Limit by 26-30 MPH

Let’s break down the specific penalties for being convicted of driving 26-30 MPH over the maximum speed. This violation will add 5 points to your official driving record. Furthermore, if this speeding violation occurs within a designated construction zone, you could also face a mandatory 15-day suspension of your driver’s license. These penalties can have a lasting impact, making it crucial to handle the citation properly.

How Police Measure Vehicle Speed

Police officers use a variety of approved methods to determine if a driver is speeding. Understanding these techniques can be an important part of your defense. Consulting with a Bedford traffic lawyer can help you navigate these details effectively.

• Following and Pacing: An officer might follow your vehicle and use their own speedometer to gauge your speed. To ensure an accurate reading, they are required to follow your car for a minimum distance of 3/8 of a mile before they can legally pull you over.
• Manual Speed Traps: This method involves non-automatic devices, like a stopwatch, to time your vehicle over a pre-measured distance. Sometimes, aircraft like planes or helicopters are used to monitor the speed of vehicles on the ground. They then report this information to an officer on duty who conducts the traffic stop. Consulting a Bedford speeding ticket attorney can help challenge evidence from these methods.
• VASCAR Devices: Visual Average Speed Computer and Recorder (VASCAR) devices are often used in both ground-based and aerial manual speed traps. It’s important to know that these devices can be unreliable, especially when measuring distances shorter than 500 feet. A ticket can be issued if a VASCAR device clocks you going 10 MPH or more over the speed limit in a zone of 55 MPH or less.
• Radar Guns: Radar guns are another common tool for measuring speed. However, it’s a critical legal point that in Bedford and across West Virginia, only state police officers are authorized to use radar guns to catch speeders.
• Automatic Speed Traps: These advanced systems use transmitters placed on either side of the road to automatically detect and record a vehicle’s speed. The data is sent directly to a computer in the officer’s patrol car, which helps reduce the potential for human error in the measurement process. A skilled Bedford traffic lawyer can assist in reviewing the reliability of such evidence in your case.

What to Do If You Are Pulled Over by the Police

• Stay calm and be polite during the entire interaction.
• Do not argue with the officer or show any signs of anger.
• Turn off your vehicle’s engine but stay inside your car unless instructed otherwise.

Get Legal Help from Logue Law Group

If you’ve received a speeding ticket for going 26-30 mph over the speed limit, it is strongly advised that you consult with a Bedford traffic lawyer. An experienced attorney will review the evidence presented against you and help you build the strongest possible defense strategy. Don’t wait to protect your driving record. Contact our respected legal team at Logue Law Group today.

Logue Law Group offers legal services 24/7. You can reach us at 844.PITT.DUI or contact us through our website. Bedford speeding ticket attorneys proudly serve Bedford and the surrounding communities, as well as clients in Ohio and West Virginia.