Final answer:
Unlawful speeding 16 MPH or less over the lawful or posted speed is driving up to 16 miles per hour above the speed limit and can result in a traffic ticket. There is some tolerance for minor infractions, but habitual or dangerous speeding attracts legal consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Unlawful speeding 16 MPH or less over the lawful or posted speed refers to the act of driving at a speed that exceeds the legal speed limit by up to 16 miles per hour. While there may be some leeway in enforcement of speeding laws due to inaccuracies in speedometers and to allow for safe traffic flow, consistently driving above the speed limit could result in a traffic ticket. For example, if a driver is traveling in Jacinto City, Texas where the speed limit is 30 MPH, going slightly over at 31 MPH is unlikely to cause trouble. However, persistent speeding and a significant deviation from the limit—like driving at 46 MPH in a 30 MPH zone—can lead to penalties.
Officers enforce speed limits to ensure road safety. While the de jure speed limit is the official speed posted on signs, the de facto speed limit might reflect the threshold above the posted limit at which police officers typically issue tickets. Moreover, factors such as driving behavior, including tailgating or aggressive driving, may attract police attention regardless of the exact speed.
Driving behavior and speed are particularly scrutinized at dangerous intersections and in areas where accidents commonly occur. Thus, if you are caught driving at an excessive speed, especially if it leads to hazardous situations like leaving long skid marks on the road, you may be liable for a speeding violation.