TX DMV Speed Limits and Speed Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which factor does NOT legally justify driving below the posted speed limit in Texas?
- Heavy rain reducing visibility
- Dense fog
- Personal preference to drive slowly (Correct answer)
- Ice on the road surface
Correct answer: Personal preference to drive slowly
Drivers must reduce speed for hazardous conditions, but personal preference alone is not a legal justification — only genuine road, weather, or traffic conditions matter.
Question 2: When approaching and driving through a Texas highway construction zone, how are speed limits typically affected?
- Speed limits are suggestions only and not enforced
- Speed limits are reduced and fines are doubled for violations (Correct answer)
- Speed limits remain unchanged unless workers are present
- Drivers may exceed the limit to clear the zone quickly
Correct answer: Speed limits are reduced and fines are doubled for violations
Texas law reduces speed limits in active construction zones and doubles fines for speeding violations to protect workers.
Question 3: An advisory speed sign (yellow sign with a speed number) on a curve indicates:
- The maximum legal speed for all vehicles on that curve
- The recommended safe speed for the curve under normal conditions (Correct answer)
- A minimum speed required to maintain safe traffic flow
- A school speed zone limit that applies during school hours
Correct answer: The recommended safe speed for the curve under normal conditions
Yellow advisory speed signs on curves indicate the recommended safe speed under normal conditions; they are not legal maximum speed limits but are important safety guidance.
Question 4: In Texas, urban interstates (within city limits) typically carry a maximum speed limit of:
- 55 mph
- 60 mph
- 65 mph
- 70 mph (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 70 mph
Most Texas urban interstate sections are posted at 70 mph, though this can vary by municipality and specific road conditions.
Question 5: If a speed limit sign is missing on a Texas business district street, the applicable default speed limit is:
- 20 mph
- 25 mph
- 30 mph (Correct answer)
- 35 mph
Correct answer: 30 mph
Texas Transportation Code sets 30 mph as the default speed limit in business districts when no limit is otherwise posted.
Question 6: At night, why should a driver typically reduce speed even when the posted limit allows higher speeds?
- Texas law requires a 10 mph reduction after dark on all roads
- Reduced visibility means headlights may not illuminate stopping distance at high speeds (Correct answer)
- Nighttime speed limits are enforced more strictly by law enforcement
- Insurance companies require slower night driving to maintain coverage
Correct answer: Reduced visibility means headlights may not illuminate stopping distance at high speeds
At night, headlight range may not cover the distance needed to stop at higher speeds, so reducing speed is necessary to remain within a safe sight distance.
Question 7: Traveling significantly below the posted minimum speed on a Texas freeway can be dangerous because:
- It is always illegal regardless of conditions
- It can disrupt traffic flow and create a hazard for faster-moving vehicles (Correct answer)
- Texas law requires all drivers to match surrounding traffic speed exactly
- It causes higher fuel consumption and engine wear
Correct answer: It can disrupt traffic flow and create a hazard for faster-moving vehicles
Driving well below the minimum speed on a freeway creates a speed differential that disrupts traffic flow and increases the risk of rear-end collisions.
TX DMV Speed Limits and Speed Management 2
Which factor does NOT legally justify driving below the posted speed limit in Texas?