Final answer:
The typical speed limit in a business or residence district is set by local law and varies, with common speed limits around 30-35 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. Speed enforcement may have some leeway but significantly exceeding posted limits can result in penalties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speed limit in any business or residence district is typically set by local law unless a different speed limit is signaled by traffic signs. Many jurisdictions have standardized speed limits for these areas if no signs are posted. It's also important to understand the difference between de jure speed limits, which are the legal limits posted on signs, and de facto speed limits, which represent the threshold at which law enforcement is likely to take action.
A de jure speed limit may be 55 miles per hour, but the de facto speed limit might be slightly higher if police do not regularly issue tickets to drivers who are driving just above the posted speed limit.
One should also note that even when the posted speed limit in a residential area might be 50 kilometers per hour (approximately 31 miles per hour), actual driving speeds can vary, and in some areas, vehicles might speed through intersections regardless of speed limits.
However, the existence of a traffic signal can enforce drivers to slow down and follow the legal limits. Additionally, it is generally accepted that most speedometers have a slight margin of error, and thus driving slightly above the speed limit, such as 31 miles per hour in a 30-mile zone, is unlikely to result in a traffic ticket. Yet, more significant exceeding of the speed limit will likely be penalized.