Quote:
Originally Posted by Aipex8
I swear in NW OR/SW WA they won't pull you over until you are going more than 10 over.
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This could just be some nonsense I picked up somewhere, but my understanding is that the 10 MPH tradition originates with US federal regulations that only require auto manufacturers to calibrate speedometers to within 10% of the speed, i.e. up to 33 MPH if the speedo shows 30 MPH, up to 77 MPH if the speedo shows 70, etc. Theoretically you could use that as a defense in court, saying that even though you got a ticket for 66, your legal speedo showed 60, so you had no idea you were speeding.
Police departments don't want to lose those cases, so they train the cops to allow a buffer. Since calculating percentages is a bit too difficult for them, they use a flat 10 MPH instead.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Horrid_Funk
As for these less-than-10-mph tickets, that's just local law enforcement being local law enforcement and you have my sympathy.
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The one I discussed above was a Texas state trooper, complete with goofy hat.