NH - State police conduct 'speed details' on I-95

**StlouisX50** · 07-25-2007, 10:31 AM

By Herb Perry
hperry@seacoastonline.com
July 25, 2007 6:00 AM

YORK — State troopers are placing special emphasis on catching drivers who speed during the months of July and August, the two busiest months for traffic in Maine — and the most dangerous.

Called "speed details," state police track speeders with radar-equipped police cruisers, with airplanes, and with unmarked vans manned by laser operators. They concentrate speed details south of Portland, the turnpike's busiest area, with Kittery, York and Wells among the towns that get special attention.

"We run them continually, not only in the York area, but all over the state," police spokesman Steve McCausland said. "But the turnpike sees the most blatant speed offenses."

McCausland said a direct correlation exists between increased traffic and speeding, and dangerous driving on the roads.

"You would think because of high gas prices that speeds would be moderating — especially on highways. ... But there is not a week that goes by in Maine where we (don't) pull someone over going 100 mph out there," he said.

State Police Lt. Arthur Murdoch said troopers stop six to eight drivers a week traveling 30 miles above the speed limit on the turnpike, an offense called "criminal speeding." And overall, speeds are up: Vehicles used to travel the turnpike averaging 72 or 73 mph and now travel about 78 or 79 mph, he said.

While speeds are up, accidents are down 25 percent from 2005 to 2006, McCausland said, and speed details may make the highway safer. Also, where the turnpike is three lanes wide on each side, drivers have more reaction time and more area in which to work.

Southern York County, where the turnpike has been three lanes wide for decades, is one of the safest roads in the state, McCausland said.

**McArcane** · 08-03-2007, 08:15 AM

maybe the gov should get a clue and realize that the speed limits are clearly outdated. If average speed is int he high 70s why the hell isint hte spped limit around 75. According to most state highway agencies the speed limit should be set around the 80th percentile of traffic flow. too bad most counties don't do this. Also most of todays cars get the same gas mileage at 80 as they do at 65 or 70 (its not going the speed that eats gas its getting there). 10 mph more means you go 10 more miles per hour on the same gas. I wish they would get a clue and increase speed limits on interstates to 75.

**StlouisX50** · 08-03-2007, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by McArcane

Also most of todays cars get the same gas mileage at 80 as they do at 65 or 70 (its not going the speed that eats gas its getting there). 10 mph more means you go 10 more miles per hour on the same gas.

I agree on the other stuff, but is there a source for your information? I have never heard this.

**McArcane** · 08-03-2007, 12:30 PM

yes u can check the info out yourself at http://www.motorists.org/ma/s.html, and here is the federal statute

Section 2B.13 Speed Limit Sign (R2-1)

Standard:
After an engineering study has been made in accordance with established traffic engineering practices, the Speed Limit (R2-1) sign (see Figure 2B-1) shall display the limit established by law, ordinance, regulation, or as adopted by the authorized agency. The speed limits shown shall be in multiples of 10 km/h or 5 mph.
Guidance:
At least once every 5 years, States and local agencies should reevaluate non-statutory speed limits on segments of their roadways that have undergone a significant change in roadway characteristics or surrounding land use since the last review.

No more than three speed limits should be displayed on any one Speed Limit sign or assembly.

When a speed limit is to be posted, it should be within 10 km/h or 5 mph of the 85th-percentile speed of free-flowing traffic.

u can check the federal info at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/HTM/2003r1...tm#section2B13

it actually seems to turn out that most towns/cities do not do the surveys every 5 years and adjust speed limits as the federal statute dictates they should. Thus a lot of speed limits are considered illegal. IE they are set by the city and technically do not agree with the state/federal guidelines. The above link to the ma website gives a great description in more detail of these "illegal" speed limits and a list of them in ma and also explains how to argue in court. My friend got a ticket in Boston on a road with an illegal speed limit and argued it and got off.

Hope that helps

-BQ