Speeding Ticket Risk: When Drivers Face a 10 MPH Margin

Imagine being pulled over for a minor speed violation, only to have your officer acknowledge that they might have been a bit too lenient. Speeding tickets can be frustrating, especially when discrepancies in radar readings and enforcement strategies come into play. Is there a specific margin for which officers might choose to pull you over, particularly when speeding just 10 miles per hour?

Emphasis Enforcement vs. Community Perception

Thoughts of administrators grappling with enforcement strategies often leave you wondering: does an officer go out of their way to catch you for a 10-mile-per-hour break? The answer may not be as straight-forward as you'd think. Officers, much like emphasis enforcement itself, can be influenced by a myriad of factors.

For some officers, particularly those in locations where speeding complaints are widespread, the focus is on catching the most egregious offenders. These officers make a point to target those who really need an example—sometimes with seemingly drastic measures. On the flip side, other officers, especially those eager to be seen in their communities, might opt to write as many tickets as possible, often including those who are just a hair shy of the limit.

Department Policies and the 9 MPH Rule

Interestingly, while every officer and department may have their own quirks and thresholds for pulling over drivers, there are some general guidelines. In the departments for which I've worked, there was an unwritten 9 mph policy. Here's what that means: in a 45 mph zone, the radar would be set to alarm at 55 mph. If you were going 54, you would usually be let off the hook. But again, that's not a hard and fast rule—things can vary.

The Role of Radar Angle of Error

Even with radar, seemingly small discrepancies can lead to significant differences. The angle of error is a concept that every driver needs to be aware of. If the radar unit is not centered directly in the flow of traffic, the speed of the target car can be incorrectly recorded as being lower than it actually is. The greater the angular offset, the slower the target car will be registered.

For example, ironically, at 56 or 57 mph in a 45 mph zone, you could potentially avoid a ticket. Take a look at the following graphic for a clearer understanding of how the angle affects the radar reading:

As you can see, the vehicle traveling at 70 mph appears to be going at a lower speed due to its deviation from a direct line. The same principle applies to a driver going 56 or 57 mph. Your speed reading might be lower than what the radar actually measures.

Conclusion

How an officer decides to address your minor speeding infraction can depend on a variety of factors, from the specific department policy to the officer’s personal mood and the broader mission of their enforcement. The best advice is to err on the side of caution, and always abide by posted speed limits. This not only helps you avoid unnecessary tickets but also contributes to a safer driving environment for everyone.