

25 miles per hour in business and residential districts and school zones.īut remember, the main issue here (as with the basic speed limit) is whether your speed was safe given the conditions at the time.15 miles per hour at railroad crossings, in alleys, and highway intersections without 100 feet of visibility of approaching vehicles, and.

Unless otherwise posted, California's presumed speed limits include: And if a cop clocks you at a speed that's under the presumed limit, there's a presumption that you're not in violation of California's basic speeding law (see above). If you're able to do so, the judge is supposed to find you not guilty. You still have the opportunity to prove in court that your speed was safe. If you exceed a presumed speed limit it doesn't necessarily mean you're guilty. Presumed speed limits work a little differently than absolute limits. Presumed Speed LimitsĬalifornia also uses presumed speed limits (sometimes called "prima facie" limits). Most of the time, maximum speed limits are clearly posted.

But if it's dark and the road is wet, going 55 miles per hour could be dangerous and a violation of the basic speeding law. For instance, on a certain road, 55 miles per hour might be safe on a bright, sunny day. What a safe speed is will depend on the circumstances. In other words, motorists must always drive at a safe speed. Basic Speeding LawĬalifornia's basic speeding law prohibits driving at a speed "greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property." California has three types of speeding laws: a "basic speeding law," "presumed speed limits," and "absolute speed limits." This article explains the differences between the three and the consequences of a speeding violation.
