Are there any laws conserning how fast you can accelerate?

Koroush · 09-29-2009, 04:51 PM

I'm sure there are, just making sure.

So lets say you are first at a stop sign and the light turns green.. The speed limit is like 45.. can you step on the gas to reach 45 asap? Or are there stupid laws in place to prevent you from doing so?

Just making sure guys, thanks for responses.

Ryan323i · 09-29-2009, 04:53 PM

I'm sure if you peel out at a stop sign to get up to speed they can ticket you for driving wrecklessly or something.

MontegoGoGoGo · 09-29-2009, 04:53 PM

lol, I have always wondered that too. I'm sure a cop could give you a ticket for whatever he wants to. Maybe would say you were driving recklessly?

Koroush · 09-29-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MontegoGoGoGo

lol, I have always wondered that too. I'm sure a cop could give you a ticket for whatever he wants to. Maybe would say you were driving recklessly?

Yes, I've never heard somebody say you can't do it.

So it is just something I've always wondered also.

Hahaha.

kgb1637 · 09-29-2009, 04:59 PM

Its up to the Officer, but Reckless driving is literally a catch all when it comes to tickets. Also, if you accelerate up to the speed limit with a car next to you, that constitutes a race.

jopa489 · 09-29-2009, 05:00 PM

I'm sure it varies state-to-state (and cop-to-cop), but they can probably get you for being too loud based on exhaust and/or squealing tires. Either that or reckless, that covers almost anything you could be doing.

Koroush · 09-29-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgb1637

Its up to the Officer, but Reckless driving is literally a catch all when it comes to tickets. Also, if you accelerate up to the speed limit with a car next to you, that constitutes a race.

That is BS.

I love how they just make these stupid laws up to milk money from people.

Did i say love? Sorry , I meant Hate.

Vacek · 09-29-2009, 05:03 PM

without question, "Reckless Driving" , possibly might fall into a couple of other categories as well ("Wreckless endangerment"?, etc...)

Heaven forbid you hit a pedestrian while doing this ... then "Vehicular Manslaughter" or " attempted murder" or something else might creep up.

maswastage · 09-29-2009, 05:13 PM

I'd like to think that any self respecting cop would let you be as long as you keep within the speed limit and don't do anything stupid like pull a 20 foot burnout. But I'm sure it can and does happen.

"Just what do you think you're doing, sir? Why did you accelerate so quickly from that light?"
"Well, I'll be honest, I was trying to get in front of that truck because it looked like his cargo wasn't tied down very well, and he was going about 5 under the speed limit."
"Well then you were racing so I'm going to have to write you a ticket."
"But, how was I racing if I was within the speed limit"
"Because you were accelerating to get in front of the truck, and that's racing."
"So you're saying I'm not allowed to pass somebody if they're going under the speed limit? And I'm not allowed to accelerate?"
"Nope, 'fraid not."

Yep, I could definitely see it happening.

xsb00st · 09-29-2009, 05:14 PM

In CA, a cop may ticket you for "exhibition of speed"

Turbomatic · 09-29-2009, 05:15 PM

some states have on the books "exhibition of speed" as a traffic violation which is really designed for this type of thing. Super fast acceleration and tire smoking starts etc.

E92-Lighting · 09-29-2009, 05:17 PM

never heard of this before

DigiSage · 09-29-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xs*****

In CA, a cop may ticket you for "exhibition of speed"

Yes... I got pulled over for this a few months ago. I was taking a left turn relatively fast in my previous car (Honda Fit). It is so easy, and so much fun, to throw the back wheels out on that car, that I was doing it at almost every turn just for fun. Well, this one day I did it, there were actually FIVE police cars on the other side of the intersection.

One of them pulled me over, asked me WTF I was doing, etc. I was honest with him and said I simply had no excuse. Then he told me that it wasn't really too big a deal, but since I did it in front of 5 cops, he pretty much had to pull me over, because the others saw it too. He said they were all on their way to some big event or something and were in a hurry, and just let me go with a warning. Was very nice of him. But he did definitely use the term "exhibition of speed."

bmw-hoya · 09-29-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xs*****

In CA, a cop may ticket you for "exhibition of speed"

+1. A cop will find a bs reason to pull you over if you do this. I did this on time and a cop who happened to see me pulled me over and bitched me out. The acceleration in these cars is awesome, shame that we can't always use it to it's full potential.

bmrm396 · 09-29-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xs*****

In CA, a cop may ticket you for "exhibition of speed"

^^^^^^ ya, thats exactly what its called

demosthenes · 09-29-2009, 05:40 PM

Many years ago I got a ticket for racing (CA 23109a). I asked my lawyer this exact question. He told me that as long as my drive wheels don't break traction and I'm not racing anyone and I'm not driving dangerously, it's OK to accelerate briskly right up to the speed limit. The problem is that "driving dangerously" is subject to interpretation.

Pink Taco · 09-29-2009, 05:47 PM

Sure ... it is. Happened to my friend. He didn't know there was a cop. Reckless driving/exhibition of speed. Ca cops are toughie anyways...

ex-poster · 09-29-2009, 05:53 PM

"Imprudent Acceleration" in some parts of the midwest.

Like others have said, keep it reasonable and there's no problem. Don't lay a huge patch.

Be a dick, and you'll find out how traffic laws work. Hint: usually not in your favor.

jopa489 · 09-29-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maswastage

I'd like to think that any self respecting cop would let you be as long as you keep within the speed limit and don't do anything stupid like pull a 20 foot burnout. But I'm sure it can and does happen.

"Just what do you think you're doing, sir? Why did you accelerate so quickly from that light?"
"Well, I'll be honest, I was trying to get in front of that truck because it looked like his cargo wasn't tied down very well, and he was going about 5 under the speed limit."
"Well then you were racing so I'm going to have to write you a ticket."
"But, how was I racing if I was within the speed limit"
"Because you were accelerating to get in front of the truck, and that's racing."
"So you're saying I'm not allowed to pass somebody if they're going under the speed limit? And I'm not allowed to accelerate?"
"Nope, 'fraid not."

Yep, I could definitely see it happening.

Sad but true.

Drakos · 09-29-2009, 06:06 PM

Being in this car, I am always leary of cops. I am sure they wouldn't appreciate it much if you went full bore acceleration up to the speed limit. Although there is nothing stating this in driving school :P

cfabluenose · 09-29-2009, 06:14 PM

I'm not that keen on blasting away from an intersection. But I love to plant my foot when passing on a 2 lane highway. I'm usually way over the speed limit when I pull back into my lane. I suppose I might get ticketed for that but it's so much fun.

raceyBMW · 09-29-2009, 06:20 PM

I accelerated quickly from a light at night once...didn't know there was a cop two cars behind me. Speed limit on the street was 55, I made it up to ~58 or so and I let off the gas. Lights came on behind me, got pulled over, asked the officer why he pulled me over because I wasn't really speeding.

He said he pulled me over because he wasn't sure I was ever gonna slow down....LOL! No ticket or anything, he just told me to be careful.

BTW, didn't have a radar detector at that point, so didn't know he was clocking me, but I bet his radar gun was going crazy.

09-29-2009, 04:51 PM	#1
Koroush Lieutenant 59 Rep 401 Posts Drives: nothing Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Are there any laws conserning how fast you can accelerate? I'm sure there are, just making sure. So lets say you are first at a stop sign and the light turns green.. The speed limit is like 45.. can you step on the gas to reach 45 asap? Or are there stupid laws in place to prevent you from doing so? Just making sure guys, thanks for responses. __________________
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09-29-2009, 04:53 PM	#2
Ryan323i Captain 22 Rep 844 Posts Drives: 2015 320i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (0)	I'm sure if you peel out at a stop sign to get up to speed they can ticket you for driving wrecklessly or something. __________________ 2015 320i xDrive \| Imperial Blue Metallic/Black SensaTec \| Sport Package \| Lighting Package \| Moonroof \| Heated front seats Past BMWs: 2006 330i, 2000 323i
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09-29-2009, 04:53 PM	#3
MontegoGoGoGo I'm kind of a bitch 375 Rep 895 Posts Drives: Montego/Cream E93 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St. Louis & St. Petersburg iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E93 [0.00]	lol, I have always wondered that too. I'm sure a cop could give you a ticket for whatever he wants to. Maybe would say you were driving recklessly?
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09-29-2009, 04:59 PM	#5
kgb1637 Lieutenant Colonel 21 Rep 1,519 Posts Drives: RS5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	Its up to the Officer, but Reckless driving is literally a catch all when it comes to tickets. Also, if you accelerate up to the speed limit with a car next to you, that constitutes a race. __________________ Retired - '08 E90 335i Sparkling Graphite/Gray Dakota Leather, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, Navi, ipod, Sat
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09-29-2009, 05:00 PM	#6
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	I'm sure it varies state-to-state (and cop-to-cop), but they can probably get you for being too loud based on exhaust and/or squealing tires. Either that or reckless, that covers almost anything you could be doing. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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09-29-2009, 05:03 PM	#8
Vacek Captain 54 Rep 801 Posts Drives: 09 X3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (8)	without question, "Reckless Driving" , possibly might fall into a couple of other categories as well ("Wreckless endangerment"?, etc...) Heaven forbid you hit a pedestrian while doing this ... then "Vehicular Manslaughter" or " attempted murder" or something else might creep up.
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09-29-2009, 05:13 PM	#9
maswastage Resident Diesel Junkie 56 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: 2010 AW 335d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I'd like to think that any self respecting cop would let you be as long as you keep within the speed limit and don't do anything stupid like pull a 20 foot burnout. But I'm sure it can and does happen. "Just what do you think you're doing, sir? Why did you accelerate so quickly from that light?" "Well, I'll be honest, I was trying to get in front of that truck because it looked like his cargo wasn't tied down very well, and he was going about 5 under the speed limit." "Well then you were racing so I'm going to have to write you a ticket." "But, how was I racing if I was within the speed limit" "Because you were accelerating to get in front of the truck, and that's racing." "So you're saying I'm not allowed to pass somebody if they're going under the speed limit? And I'm not allowed to accelerate?" "Nope, 'fraid not." Yep, I could definitely see it happening.
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09-29-2009, 05:14 PM	#10
xsb00st Lieutenant Colonel 185 Rep 1,640 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Earth iTrader: (21)	In CA, a cop may ticket you for "exhibition of speed"
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09-29-2009, 05:15 PM	#11
Turbomatic Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 292 Posts Drives: E36 M3, 335xic, Rav4 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PA iTrader: (4)	some states have on the books "exhibition of speed" as a traffic violation which is really designed for this type of thing. Super fast acceleration and tire smoking starts etc.
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09-29-2009, 05:17 PM	#12
E92-Lighting 860 Rep 35,253 Posts Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting Join Date: May 2008 Location: Walnut iTrader: (324)	never heard of this before
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09-29-2009, 05:40 PM	#16
demosthenes Major 48 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: E90 328i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 328i sedan [0.00]	Many years ago I got a ticket for racing (CA 23109a). I asked my lawyer this exact question. He told me that as long as my drive wheels don't break traction and I'm not racing anyone and I'm not driving dangerously, it's OK to accelerate briskly right up to the speed limit. The problem is that "driving dangerously" is subject to interpretation.
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09-29-2009, 05:47 PM	#17
Pink Taco Doesn't get Pinker than this... 10 Rep 129 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca iTrader: (0)	Sure ... it is. Happened to my friend. He didn't know there was a cop. Reckless driving/exhibition of speed. Ca cops are toughie anyways...
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09-29-2009, 05:53 PM	#18
ex-poster Lieutenant 20 Rep 482 Posts Drives: 2000 328, 2006 330 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (0)	"Imprudent Acceleration" in some parts of the midwest. Like others have said, keep it reasonable and there's no problem. Don't lay a huge patch. Be a dick, and you'll find out how traffic laws work. Hint: usually not in your favor.
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09-29-2009, 06:06 PM	#20
Drakos Lieutenant 65 Rep 534 Posts Drives: 2022 G42 M240i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Being in this car, I am always leary of cops. I am sure they wouldn't appreciate it much if you went full bore acceleration up to the speed limit. Although there is nothing stating this in driving school :P
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09-29-2009, 06:14 PM	#21
cfabluenose Lieutenant 38 Rep 430 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wolfville iTrader: (0)	I'm not that keen on blasting away from an intersection. But I love to plant my foot when passing on a 2 lane highway. I'm usually way over the speed limit when I pull back into my lane. I suppose I might get ticketed for that but it's so much fun.
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09-29-2009, 06:20 PM	#22
raceyBMW king of the hills 92 Rep 2,915 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 w/ESS55, 2001 540i/6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arvada, CO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2001 BMW 540i/6 [8.17] 1994 530i [9.00] 2007 335i Coupe [8.37]	I accelerated quickly from a light at night once...didn't know there was a cop two cars behind me. Speed limit on the street was 55, I made it up to ~58 or so and I let off the gas. Lights came on behind me, got pulled over, asked the officer why he pulled me over because I wasn't really speeding. He said he pulled me over because he wasn't sure I was ever gonna slow down....LOL! No ticket or anything, he just told me to be careful. BTW, didn't have a radar detector at that point, so didn't know he was clocking me, but I bet his radar gun was going crazy.
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