In Fairfax, Virginia, law enforcement uses a variety of methods in order to detect a driver’s speed. A law enforcement officer can use speed traps, lasers, cameras, and pacing. Speeding infractions could result in fines and point could be taken off your license. There are cases which may cause the infraction to become much more serious, such as speeding through highly populated areas or excessively speeding. Such infractions could result in a reckless driving charge. Contact a practiced traffic lawyer about Fairfax speeding detection.
Fairfax has variable speed limits, and that is often with what results in people being charged with traffic infractions. There are two major highways that come through Fairfax; one has a speed limit that varies from 55 to 60. School zones drop down to between 25 and 35 mph, and some back roads are unmarked with a speed limit of 55 or 45. People might enter the road before having a chance to see the speed limit sign. Interstate 85 has a speed limit of 70 mph in most locations, but once someone exceeds 80 mph, they can be charged with the misdemeanor of reckless driving.
Fairfax speeding detection is most prevalent is around Interstate 85 and Highway 58. They are both big thoroughfares that bypass some of the towns in the county. Highway 58 has changing speed limits that result in people feeling that they can go faster than they are legally allowed.
Speeding offenses range from one to nineteen miles per hour over the limit. Reckless driving is 20 miles per hour over the limit or any speed that is over 80 miles per hour. Speeding-related charges, including reckless driving, are probably the most common traffic infractions in Fairfax
Any speed over the posted speed limit is a reason for a police officer to pull a driver over. Many people commonly think that if they are going five or even 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, it is a safe speed to travel to avoid being pulled over. However, depending on circumstances (weather, road conditions, or traffic), a police officer may feel the need to pull somebody over for going five miles per hour over the speed limit if the officer does not think that is a safe speed to travel at the time.
In highly populated areas, including commercial businesses, the risk of accidents is increased. School zones are a particularly sensitive place and police will strictly enforce school zone speed limits. The same is true for residential areas. A person can expect to be pulled over on the highways in Fairfax if they do not slow down in commercial areas. For more insight on Fairfax speeding detection in highly populated areas, contact an attorney today.
An officer can rely on their notes and reports from the equipment that they use, whether it is radar or laser. They can also use their direct testimony if they were pacing the person by simply testifying in court under oath that they paced the person and used their speedometer to gauge them for whatever distance they might have traveled. An officer can also use pacing a way to detect how fast someone is going.
A driver may need to have evidence of their own to indicate how they carried out the Fairfax speeding detection of the individual charged. That evidence could include their testimony regarding the speedometer, or they might need to have a speedometer calibrated in order to determine errors in the speedometer. Otherwise, an accused may have to confront the evidence of the officer directly in court.
For more information about Fairfax speeding detection and how to fight your charges, reach out to a qualified defense attorney. While it may be tempting to simply pay the fine and move on, you could face increased insurance rates for years to come. Discuss your case with an experienced lawyer today.