A 3-minute lesson from the Louisiana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Posted limits are for ideal conditions. Louisiana's General Speed Law says you must never drive faster than is reasonable for the area, road, traffic, light and weather, so you can be cited even while under the posted limit.
Know the rule
Excessive speed turns minor incidents into fatal crashes. A frontal impact at 35 mph is one-third more violent than one at 30 mph.
At 75 mph you have little chance of surviving a crash. At that speed in bad weather or at night you're overdriving your headlights: your stopping distance is longer than your visibility.
Driving 55 mph in a snowstorm is not acceptable even where 55 is posted. Slow down when the road is wet or icy, when you can't see well, or when traffic is heavy.
Don't exceed the posted maximum or drive below the posted minimum, and don't drive so slowly that you impede traffic. Interstates have posted minimum speeds.
The posted limit is 55 mph, but heavy rain has cut your visibility. Driving 55 can get you cited for driving too fast for conditions. Slow down until you can stop within the distance you can see.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is Louisiana's General Speed Law?
Never drive faster than conditions allow
You may always drive the posted limit regardless of conditions
Speed limits only apply during daylight hours
You must always drive at least the posted minimum
Answer: Never drive faster than conditions allow
The General Speed Law requires a safe, reasonable speed for the actual road, traffic, and weather conditions.