ABA Family Legal Guide

Automobiles

Your Automobile and the Police

Speeding and Other Offenses

What are the elements of a speeding charge?

It depends on whether your state bases its speeding laws on absolute or fixed maximum limits, or prima facie limits. It is a violation to exceed a fixed maximum limit regardless of the circumstances at any time. On the other hand, prima facie limits allow drivers to justify the speed at which they were driving by considering traffic and road conditions and visibility.