I’m not really sure how long it had been, but it had been a long time. I was due, I suppose. These days I drive quite a bit due to a 140+ mile a day commute (2-3 days a week). The first 30 miles of the commute is relatively new to me, added as a result of the move west. My morning commute is a long stretch of country interstate driving, with a 70 mph speed limit. Most drive around 85-90 mph. I usually set my cruise close to 80 mph and keep it there from point to point. My Subaru has adaptive cruise control, so it adjusts to the speed of the car in front of me, which saved me from overdoing the speed limit up to now. The morning after Memorial day was an unusually light traffic day. I found out that speed limits go to 65 mph, then 60 mph around 20 miles into my commute, something I was not aware of until I was pulled over by a Illinois state policeman. He pulled a nifty maneuver to wrangle me, pulling into the lane in front of me as I approached, braked into the shoulder and moved behind me. Had I not been in a state of shock, I may have clapped in appreciation of the performance.
I was clocked at 78 mph in a 60 mph zone. I had just passed into the 60 mph zone. I thought the speed limit was 70 mph. I was wrong, as the policeman sternly reminded me.
“You need to pay attention to the speed limit signs.”
My mountain bike was mounted on the hitch rack for an after work ride. I was a little worried the policeman would say something about the bike. He didn’t even mention it. Some police don’t like that a bike rack and bike block the view of the rear plate. A few months ago, a village policeman followed me home from church just to let me know about that little tidbit.
Since that day, I have strictly followed the tollway speed limit. My morning commute takes an extra 10-15 minutes, but I’m not risking getting another ticket. One benefit of driving slower is my Subaru is getting 4-5 miles per gallon better gas mileage. It will take a while to make up for the $164 speeding ticket, but I have to think positive. Right? I find myself wishing all those speed demons, the ones who passed me when I was driving faster and who are now blowing by me on both sides, would get pulled over. I am amazed at how many drivers ignore the speed limit, but also am surprised at how many also drive right along with me at the speed limit. Often, though, I am driving all by my lonesome.
I wonder how long I will continue my new driving habits. Only time will tell.
shenrydafrankmann 
good to see you, but as a former commenter, now retired for a year, I understand every word of this
Ha! Driving responsibly isn’t just for retirees!
Now that I lease a car I try to be a bit more careful when it comes to speed limits. The fine goes to the lease company first before I see it. And I don’t want them to know that up till now a speed limit to me was just a suggestion 😄
I wonder if it’s the same when leasing a car in the States? Not sure I would like the lease company being notified of a traffic violation. Insurance company gets notified here and they almost always raise the rate as a result.
Aren’t speed limits like a balloon? They are meant to be stretched.
I’ve never had problems with my insurance company because of traffic violations. And now the insurance is through the lease company and included in the monthly pay. So no problem there.