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Committee Votes To Protect Arizona's 'Lead Foot' Drivers

Arizona drivers who have a lead foot could be helped by a measure approved in a House Committee. Under it, police would be barred from issuing a regular traffic citation to people driving 10 mph over the speed limit, no matter what the limit is. 

State Rep. David Stephens said that means no speeding ticket in a 75 mph zone on the freeway, unless you’re going over 85. The bill would expand the loophole lawmakers used in 1982 to allow motorists to drive 65, in 55 mph  zones, attributing it to a ‘waste of a finite resource,’ instead of speeding.

“No one's complaining about it at 55. Of course, you've got to find a 55 and then speed at it, and get pulled over,” Stephens said.

The 10 mph grace factor is not absolute. It would not apply to work zones, residential areas, or school crossing zones. 

The measure cleared the House Transportation Committee without dissent.  Under the meansure, speed violations of 10 mph over the limit or less would cost no more than $15, plus surcharges and could not be used to raise insurance rates or to suspend or revoke a driver’s license.