[satisfaction]

Doing less than the speed limit is indeed strange, that behavior is probably exhibited by drunk/doped up drivers more often than sober drivers. The fact that you get warnings demonstrates that they pull overs are not due to ill will, if they wanted to steal from you they were half way there: too slow is probable cause for a traffic stop and they could easily plant some drugs or just lie, the statement of a police officer is evidence. Set your cruise control at the speed limit or 1 mph over and don't swerve.

[patmcc]

Driving below the speed limit is strange, driving above the speed limit is illegal.

Almost sounds like the police can pull over and search whoever they like, weird.

[jet_32951]

Driving over the speed limit is speeding, therefore actionable. Driving under the speed limit indicates impairment, therefore actionable. Driving exactly at the speed limit indicates a wise-ass and we can't have that.

[CWuestefeld]

I just finished taking a defensive driving course to get a speeding ticket washed.

The course material mentioned a couple of times that, quote, "driving at an unsafe speed" is illegal. And what's unsafe takes into account the prevailing conditions (so you can be ticketed when going the speed limit if, say, it's raining), and also the fact that deltas in speed are more dangerous than absolute speed (so if the speed limit is 55, everybody else is going 60, and you're going 40, you may well get a ticket 'cause you're creating a danger.

Almost sounds like the police can pull over and search whoever they like

Yep, that's true within 100 miles of the border - an area that accounts for the vast majority of US residents. I've been stopped several times near the Mexico border for no real reason; one office asks me questions for a minute or two, just long enough for their drug-sniffing dog to make the full round of my car and come up empty.

[rascul]

>> Almost sounds like the police can pull over and search whoever they like

> Yep, that's true within 100 miles of the border - an area that accounts for the vast majority of US residents.

If you're outside that 100 miles they can just make something up.

[rolph]

so obeying the law is strange behavior or probable cause...

I find that very interesting.

[smileysteve]

> Doing less than the speed limit is indeed strange

It really depends on locale; Some states (hello states rights southern states) have a 10 - 15mph speed trap (reform the police) style law from the speed limits in 1975. Some people drive on military bases, where, if they go 1mph over, it can affect their career.