Speeding with a trailer?

[Claybird]

Hello there officers! I had a question about drivers with trailers (or 3 axles for that matter).........

Is the 55 MPH speed limit really that strongly enforced? I understand it is under the discretion of the individual officer, but I was wondering if there was a "general rule of thumb" between officers regarding, for example, someone going with the flow of traffic (70 MPH or so) with a boat? I see it all the time and it drives me crazy. That on top of people thinking they are exempt from the blinker law!:hitwall:



I suppose it can just fall under job security when you are on the law enforcement side of it! :lol:

[AyatollahGondola]

Some trailers are limited by their design to 55 due to things like those tiny tires. Wouldn't be just a flow of traffic issue that brought attention

[PapaBear]

The speed limit for vehicles towing trailers is mandated in the Vehicle Code. It is not "under the discretion of the individual officer" on any highway.

It is a violation that is written frequently but is one of many, on the freeways and interstates that, that officers often cannot get to because they are tied up on another violation or incident somewhere else.

Maximum Speed for Designated Vehicles
22406. No person may drive any of the following vehicles on a highway
at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour:

(a) A motortruck or truck tractor having three or more axles or any motortruck or truck tractor drawing any other vehicle.

(b) A passenger vehicle or bus drawing any other vehicle.

(c) A schoolbus transporting any school pupil.

(d) A farm labor vehicle when transporting passengers.

(e) A vehicle transporting explosives.

(f) A trailer bus, as defined in Section 636.

Amended Sec. 42, Ch. 724, Stats. 1999. Effective January 1, 2000.
Amended Sec. 22, Ch. 787, Stats. 2000. Effective January 1, 2001.


http://z.hubpages.com/u/393073_f260.jpg

[RAT Power]

Keep in mind this wonderful section, too:

22406.1. (a) A person who operates a commercial motor vehicle, as
defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, upon a highway at a
speed exceeding a posted speed limit established under this code by
15 miles per hour or more, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) A person who holds a commercial driver's license, as defined
in subdivision (a) of Section 15210, and operates a noncommerical
motor vehicle upon a highway at a speed exceeding a posted speed
limit established under this code by 15 miles per hour or more, is
guilty of an infraction.
(c) A violation of either subdivision (a) or (b) is a "serious
traffic violation," as defined in subdivision (p) of Section 15210,
and is subject to the sanctions provided under Section 15306 or
15308, in addition to any other penalty provided by law.

[ValGS350]

Some trailers are limited by their design to 55 due to things like those tiny tires. Wouldn't be just a flow of traffic issue that brought attention

Check-out this video!

Sure tells you why Trailers have speed limits!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wMkK_DVzjo

[AyatollahGondola]

Fishtailing can start with several factors. I've had a good fishtail going at 40 before due to imbalanced load. Also, some tow vehicles are just not able to absorb and hold the swaying action of a fishtailing trailer very well. Often too light or designed to tow small loads only. add to that a driver with little towing experience or no knowledge as to what to do to try and bring it under control again and things can spiral towards disaster pretty quick.
One thing is certain though, and that is speeding with a trailer on is not the safest time to push the envelope, whether it be risk of ticket or risk of collision. either way it's a bad time to speed

[tw2000si]

I went to court the other day for a truck towing a horse trailer. He was doing 75 and had a commercial license. He lost and had to pay a fine of $470 some dollars. Bottom line 70 towing a trailor is a great ticket in my mind.

[AyatollahGondola]

I went to court the other day for a truck towing a horse trailer. He was doing 75 and had a commercial license. He lost and had to pay a fine of $470 some dollars. Bottom line 70 towing a trailor is a great ticket in my mind.

Were there any horsies' inside happy to meet your aquaintance?