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Anyone have any idea what the deal is with California's new: The 55 MPH Speed Limit Will Be Enforced dynamic signs? If I get a speeding ticket, can I just

by hedora 3y ago

Anyone have any idea what the deal is with California's new: The 55 MPH Speed Limit Will Be Enforced dynamic signs? If I get a speeding ticket, can I just argue that the sign's use of the future tense clearly indicates the lowered speed limit doesn't apply yet?

Der_Einzige 3y ago
I hate dynamic speed limit signs so much. You don't need to tell me that the recommended speed is 30mph in bumper-bumper traffic. It's patronizing and that money could have been better spent elsewhere, like on things which reduce actual traffic such as highway merge lights (the kind that you wait at before getting on the highway).
bagels 3y ago
It is the future as soon as you finish reading it. You can definitely unsuccessfully make that argument though.
bsder 3y ago
Hmmm, I generally remember those in construction zones. Have they started putting them elsewhere? And generally don't those say "Strictly Enforced"? The implication being that they will bust you even for 56 in a 55 (generally, again, because it's a construction zone). Finally, I seem to remember that the issue is that California has a relatively (couple years old) new law that a speed limit must demonstrate that it is at the 80% point or has an explicitly documented exception or it's challengable. Presumably, these signs fall into the "explicitly documented exception" category.
conk 3y ago
Go ahead and try it, then let me know how it works out for you.
BaseballPhysics 3y ago
The word "will" isn't strictly future tense. It also conveys purpose or intent. e.g. "If you suggest a silly reading of a traffic sign, I will explain why you're being ridiculous."
- olyjohn 3y ago
  It still will be the future though unless he's getting radar'd at the exact moment he is reading the sign, which is highly unlikely.
  - tomjakubowski 3y ago
    Yes but California's speed limit also "is" enforced, now and for some stretch of the recent past and for some stretch in the near future, in the habitual aspect. Language!
  - BaseballPhysics 3y ago
    No, the unspoken preceding clause for that sign is "if you are speeding". i.e., "if you are speeding, then speed limit will be enforced." That's why I formulated my silly example the way I did, but I guess I was being too subtle.
olyjohn 3y ago
I've still yet to win, or see anybody win a traffic case based on technicalities like this. But if you have a traffic lawyer, he can probably 'convince' the judge over a game of golf to accept your argument.
- 20after4 3y ago
  I'm pretty sure that the way it works is your lawyer "convinces" the prosecutor to drop the charges, in exchange for a kickback.

by hedora 3y ago

Der_Einzige 3y ago

I hate dynamic speed limit signs so much. You don't need to tell me that the recommended speed is 30mph in bumper-bumper traffic. It's patronizing and that money could have been better spent elsewhere, like on things which reduce actual traffic such as highway merge lights (the kind that you wait at before getting on the highway).

bagels 3y ago

It is the future as soon as you finish reading it. You can definitely unsuccessfully make that argument though.

bsder 3y ago

Hmmm, I generally remember those in construction zones. Have they started putting them elsewhere? And generally don't those say "Strictly Enforced"? The implication being that they will bust you even for 56 in a 55 (generally, again, because it's a construction zone). Finally, I seem to remember that the issue is that California has a relatively (couple years old) new law that a speed limit must demonstrate that it is at the 80% point or has an explicitly documented exception or it's challengable. Presumably, these signs fall into the "explicitly documented exception" category.

conk 3y ago

Go ahead and try it, then let me know how it works out for you.

BaseballPhysics 3y ago

The word "will" isn't strictly future tense. It also conveys purpose or intent. e.g. "If you suggest a silly reading of a traffic sign, I will explain why you're being ridiculous."

olyjohn 3y ago
It still will be the future though unless he's getting radar'd at the exact moment he is reading the sign, which is highly unlikely.
- tomjakubowski 3y ago
  Yes but California's speed limit also "is" enforced, now and for some stretch of the recent past and for some stretch in the near future, in the habitual aspect. Language!
- BaseballPhysics 3y ago
  No, the unspoken preceding clause for that sign is "if you are speeding". i.e., "if you are speeding, then speed limit will be enforced." That's why I formulated my silly example the way I did, but I guess I was being too subtle.

olyjohn 3y ago

I've still yet to win, or see anybody win a traffic case based on technicalities like this. But if you have a traffic lawyer, he can probably 'convince' the judge over a game of golf to accept your argument.

20after4 3y ago
I'm pretty sure that the way it works is your lawyer "convinces" the prosecutor to drop the charges, in exchange for a kickback.