Is driving at 61 km/h in a 60 km/h zone considered speeding?
2 Answers
Driving at 61 km/h in a 60 km/h zone is considered speeding. The penalties for traffic violations related to speeding are as follows: 1. Exceeding the speed limit by less than 10%: Fine and 3 demerit points. 2. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 10% but less than 50%: Fine and 3 demerit points. 3. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 50% but less than 70%: Fine and 6 demerit points. 4. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 70% but less than 100%: Fine and 6 demerit points, with possible license suspension. 5. Exceeding the speed limit by 100% or more: Fine and 6 demerit points, with possible license suspension. Such speeding violations are typically recorded by radar detection. You can check the records at the traffic police department, receive a ticket, and then pay the fine at the designated bank. The demerit points will be automatically deducted. However, be very careful, as accumulating 12 demerit points will require you to retake the written test.
I often encounter such minor discrepancies in actual driving when going from a speed limit of 60 to 61. Generally, the speed displayed on a car's speedometer is slightly higher than the actual speed due to the safety margin set by manufacturers, typically differing by 3% to 5%. Therefore, a displayed speed of 61 might actually be around 59, well within the speed limit. Additionally, during traffic enforcement, there's usually a tolerance of about 10% in many places, like in China, where a speed limit of 60 allows driving up to 66 without penalty for speeding. Hence, driving at 61 is unlikely to result in a ticket. However, we should still develop the habit of using the speedometer as a reference while driving, rather than constantly watching the numbers change on the dashboard, as this can lead to distraction and potential accidents. Remember, even exceeding by just 1 km/h could be a dangerous signal; road conditions are complex, and a slight lapse in attention can lead to an accident. It's advisable to check the accuracy of the speedometer during routine vehicle inspections and test the car on a smooth road for added peace of mind.