Just How Fast is too Fast When Traveling the New York State Thruway


Many of us travel on the New York State Thruway for various reasons. Whether you are a NYS resident commuting for work or an out-of-stater just passing through for travel purposes, you will notice that the posted speed limit on the thruway is well documented at 65 miles per hour (mph). The State makes sure that the speed limit is abundantly clear by posting speed limit signs about every three (3) miles. Interestingly enough, the thruway speed limit increased from 55 mph to 65 mph in August 1995, and the current speed limit of 65 mph has simply become common knowledge.

However, even though the speed limit is very well known and documented, many of us drive a bit faster than 65 mph. But just how fast can you drive without getting pulled over? I hear many people say that “I just set my cruise control on 77 mph” and these same people have been lucky enough to not get pulled over. On the other hand, I have seen other people get pulled over and receive a traffic ticket for going 72 mph. As you can see, this is a question that does not have a clear answer.

What many people do not understand, however, is that you can receive a three (3) point speeding violation for just simply traveling at just 1 mph over the speed limit; that’s only 66 mph in a 65 mph zone! While this is unlikely, it can happen. I have also seen the same people who “just set their cruise at 77 mph” get pulled over and receive a four (4) point speeding violation.  

I have posted a New York State speeding point table so that you can see for yourself just how many points are associated with different speeds:

 

  • 1-10 miles an hour over the speed limit = 3 points
  • 11-20 miles per hour over the speed limit = 4 points
  • 21-30 miles per hour over the speed limit = 6 points
  • 31-40 miles per hour over the speed limit = 8 points
  • 41 mph + over the speed limit = 11 points
  • 11 points means that your license will be suspended

 Please keep in mind that higher speeds may come with higher fines, not to mention the State mandatory surcharges and the insurance rate increases that may be associated with higher speeds.  

I am sure that this still does not answer the original question of “just how fast is too fast when traveling on the New York State Thruway.” There is simply no exact answer to this question other than you will not get pulled over for traveling the posted speed limit of 65 mph (well at least not for speeding anyway!)

 While I do not encourage people to travel faster than the posted speeding limit, if you are one of those people who “just set your cruise at 77 mph” and you receive a speeding ticket, the most valuable thing you can do is immediately contact A traffic lawyer. Seek counsel who will fight to reduce or dismiss your ticket so that you do not suffer from the harsh penalties associated with speeding tickets in New York State. If you have found your self with a ticket in New York, check out trafficcourtanswers.com for information about the local traffic courts. 


This post is by Max Smelyansky who specializes in Speeding ticket defense, Personal Injury law, and criminal law. 

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