Let’s be honest, if there were a definite answer to this question, we’d all set our cruise control exactly one mile per hour below the set speed. So how fast can you speed in Minnesota without getting pulled over? Let’s go over some general guidelines.
You may have heard the phrase “Nine you’re fine, ten you’re mine” in reference to how much over the speed limit you can go without getting pulled over, but that’s not always the best rule to follow. Yes, if you’re keeping up with traffic and that means traveling five to nine miles over the speed limit, you probably won’t be pulled over, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune. Don’t be the leader of the pack, and don’t feel like you need to keep up with the crowd if that means you’ll need to go 10 to 15 miles over the speed limit.
Minnesota Police on Speeding
The Winona Daily News recently conducted an interview with Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol, and he echoed some of the above sentiments. As you might have guessed, Sgt. Christianson said a driver could be pulled over if they drive at any speed above the speed limit. He cited the State Patrol policy which “does not allow for any speeds in excess of the posted limit.”
Obviously the police can’t pull over every driver who goes even one mile above the speed limit, but Christianson did note that police are keeping an eye out for people who are driving well over the speed limit, driving recklessly, or people who drive too fast for conditions.
Driving at excessive speeds is particularly dangerous for a number of reasons. Speeding gives you less control of the car, increases your stopping time, and makes for a more violent collision in the event you get into an accident. Sgt. Christianson also spoke up about excessive speeding, noting that people who drive more than 20 miles over the posted speed limit can face double fines, and anyone caught going over 100 mph will lose their license for six months.
So in the end, there’s no exact number that will get you pulled over by a state trooper, but a good rule of thumb is to err on the slightly slower side of the current pace of traffic. To see the full interview with Sgt. Christianson, head over to the Winona Daily News.
