Vehicle Code § 22350 VC sets forth what is commonly called California’s basic speed law. The section prohibits driving faster than is safe for the given driving conditions and circumstances.
The language of the code section reads:
22350. No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.
There are five key things to know about traffic tickets under this section:
- The fine for a violation can range from $35.00 to more than $500.00, plus court costs and assessments.
- If you are cited for speeding under VC 22350, you can (a) pay the fine, (b) do traffic school (once every 18 months) or (c) fight the ticket in court.
- If you complete traffic school or fight the ticket successfully, you will avoid getting points on your DMV record. Otherwise, this is a “one point” violation. You risk getting a negligent operator license suspension if you get 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months or 8 points in 36 months.
- You can hire an attorney to handle the case in court. If so, you do not need to be present in court.
- Ignoring the ticket (neither paying the fine nor going to court) will likely result in being charged with failure to appear per Vehicle Code 40508 VC. Although speeding is just an infraction, failure to appear can be charged as a misdemeanor crime.
In the article below, our California car accident attorneys will address:
- 1. What is California’s basic speeding law?
- 2. How is the basic speed law different from specific speed limits?
- 3. What are the penalties for a 22350 VC ticket?
- 4. Can the ticket be challenged in court?
- 5. Is it a crime if I violate 22350 VC?
- 6. Are there any laws related to Vehicle Code 22350 VC?
The basic speeding law in California requires driving at a reasonable and safe speed.
1. What is California’s basic speeding law?
The basic speeding law in California essentially requires you to drive at a reasonable and safe speed. What a reasonable and safe speed is will depend on the circumstances or facts of a case.2
The courts in California have identified many specific circumstances that are important in determining whether a speed is reasonable and safe. These include whether:
- The road that you were driving on was in a crowded urban business district, a residential area, or a remote rural area.3
- There were pedestrians and/or bicyclists near you.4
- There were animals nearby.5
- You were close to, or driving over, a railroad crossing.6
- The current condition of the street was slippery or wet.7
- Your view of the road was obstructed or limited in any way.8
- There was excessive sunlight or bright lights at the time you were driving.9
- You were driving over a hill.10
Example: On Monday, John is driving 55 miles per hour on a California highway. The speed limit signs say 55 mph. The time is late morning, and there are only a few other drivers on the road. The weather is overcast.
On Tuesday, John drives on the same section of highway. His speed is again at 55 miles per hour. It’s rush hour, though, and many other drivers are on the road. An afternoon snowstorm has caused the road surface to become slippery, even icy in some areas.
John’s driving on Monday is perfectly within the limits of Vehicle Code 22350 VC. His speed of 55 miles per hour is both reasonable and safe given the relaxed driving conditions. However, John is likely violating the law on Tuesday. A speed of 55 miles per hour is indeed dangerous and unreasonable since there is heavy traffic and the road conditions are slick and icy due to the weather conditions.
2. How is the basic speed law different from specific speed limits?
California has two types of speed limits.
- Absolute speed limits
- “Prima facie” speed limits
2.1 Absolute speed limits
California’s absolute speed limits prohibit you from driving faster than:
- 70 miles per hour on freeways marked for that speed (Vehicle Code 22356);
- 65 miles per hour on freeways and other highways (that are not marked for 70 miles per hour); and,
- 55 miles per hour on two-lane, undivided highways (unless marked for a higher speed).11
These limits are considered absolute because if you are driving faster than the limits, then you are automatically considered speeding and in violation of the maximum speed law. California’s basic speeding law does not apply. Note that Vehicle Code 22362 makes it illegal to speed in a construction zone.
2.2 “Prima facie” speed limits
California’s “prima facie,” or presumed, speed limits are set forth in California Vehicle Code 22352 VC. According to this section, and unless otherwise posted, the prima facie speed limits are:
- 15 miles per hour at railroad crossings, in alleys, and highway intersections without 100 feet of visibility of approaching vehicles; and,
- 25 miles per hour in business and residential districts and school zones.12
These speed limits are different than absolute speed limits. If you are driving faster than a “prima facie” speed limit, it does not necessarily mean that you are speeding and in violation of the law.
You can challenge a prima facie speeding citation by showing that you were not in violation of the basic speeding law. This means you must show that your speed was safe and reasonable under the given circumstances. If you cannot do this, you are in violation of California Vehicle Code 22352 VC.13
3. What are the penalties for a 22350 VC ticket?
There are three possible consequences if you violate Vehicle Code 22350 VC or drive in excess of a maximum speed limit. These are:
- Speeding tickets and driving license suspension
- Points on your driving record
- Possible negligence in any resulting auto accident
3.1 Do I receive a speeding ticket or get my license suspended?
If you are found guilty of breaking the basic speeding law, or of driving in excess of a posted speed limit, you will receive a speeding ticket and may get a suspension of your driver’s license.
The exact amount of the ticket will depend on the speed at which you were driving. The amount will also include a base fine, fees, and penalty assessments.
If you exceed the speed limit or are driving unsafely, but are not driving in excess of 100 miles per hour, then the base fine of a ticket will be:
- $35 if faster than the limit or safe speed by 1 to 15 miles per hour
- $70 if faster than the limit or safe speed by 16 to 25 miles per hour
- $100 if faster than the limit or safe speed by 26 miles per hour or more
The penalties for driving faster than 100 miles per hour include:
- A first offense results in a ticket with a base fine of $500 and up to 30 days of license suspension.
- A second offense within three years of time results in a ticket with a maximum base fine of $750 and a possible license suspension of six months.
- A third offense within five years of time results in a ticket with a maximum base fine of $1,000 and a possible license suspension of one year.14
3.2 Will points go on my driving record?
You will receive points on your driving record if you drive faster than the speed limit or violate 22350 VC. One point will get added.
If you sustain
- 4 points in a 12-month period,
- 6 points in 24 months, or
- 8 points in 36 months,
you face being designated a negligent operator and thus a driver’s license suspension.
3.3 Am I negligent for any accidents?
California law defines “negligence” as the failure to use reasonable care to prevent harm to yourself or to others. In the context of an auto accident, you as the negligent driver are at fault for the accident. Further, you may have to pay for any damages caused.
Note that we raise the issue of negligence because excessive speed can sometimes cause auto accidents. These accidents can cause injuries that form the basis of personal injury lawsuits. Moreover, proving negligence in a personal injury case is sometimes difficult.
If an accident occurs, and you were found to be driving unsafely, you could be held liable for any possible injuries and damages resulting from the accident.15 Courts have ruled that a violation of the basic speeding law is “negligence per se” under California law. This means the court automatically treats it as negligence.16
It’s critical to contact a California car accident lawyer if you were involved in an automobile accident.
4. Can the ticket be challenged in court?
There are three common defenses if you are accused of speeding or violating Vehicle Code 22350 VC. These include:
- Showing that you were driving at an excessive speed because of an emergency.
- If in the case of the basic speeding law and the “prima facie” speed limit, showing that your speed was reasonable and safe.
- Finding fault in the way an officer found that you were speeding.
4.1 Can I fight a speeding ticket in California even if a radar was used?
Police officers typically use radar devices to show that you were speeding. A strong legal defense then is showing that the radar device produced an inaccurate reading.
There are three ways to show this. These are:
- Showing that objects interfered with the radar beam (such as trees, trucks, or other cars).
- Proving that the radar device was not calibrated properly. If not, the citation could be based on an illegal speed trap.
- Demonstrating that the officer using the device did so incorrectly.
As to the first showing, note that a radar device measures speed by shooting out a beam at a target (here, a speeding motor vehicle). The width of this beam increases with distance. As it increases, it’s possible that the path of the beam will include other cars and objects. The result is that a car might appear to be traveling faster than it actually was.
5. Is it a crime if I violate 22350 VC?
It is not a crime if you violate the basic speeding law. These violations are treated as infractions under California law, and you are not subject to incarceration.
6. Are there any laws related to Vehicle Code 22350 VC?
There are three California laws related to the basic speeding law. These include:
- The minimum speed limit law;
- Reckless Driving; and,
- A DUI sentencing enhancement for excessive speed
6.1 The Minimum Speeding Law
California’s minimum speed law is set forth in California Vehicle Code 22400 VC.
Vehicle Code 22400 VC reads:
No one person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with the law.17
This section also states that:
No person shall bring a vehicle to a complete stop upon a highway so as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the stop is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.18
If you are found guilty of violating this section, you will receive a ticket in the amount of $238. Points will also be placed on your driving record.
6.2 Reckless Driving
California’s Reckless Driving law makes it a crime to drive with a wanton disregard for the safety of people or property.19
If no one other than you is injured, violation of this law is a California misdemeanor. It can be punished at most by:
- Five to ninety days in jail, and/or
- A fine of between $145 and $1,000.20
The possible jail sentence and fine increase if reckless driving causes an injury. In this case, the reckless driving can get charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. This is where California’s reckless driving becomes a California “wobbler” offense.
6.3. DUI sentencing enhancement for excessive speed
California Vehicle Code 23582 VC is what’s known as a DUI “sentencing enhancement.”21 It increases the punishment of wrongdoing if:
- You are convicted of DUI; and,
- The enhancement is found to be true.
The additional penalty is a minimum 60-day jail term added to your DUI sentence and a requirement that you participate in a drug and/or alcohol education program (also known as California DUI school).
To sustain the excessive speed enhancement, prosecutors must show that you:
- Violated Vehicle Code 23152(a) VC driving under the influence, Vehicle Code 23152(b) VC driving with a BAC .08 or more, or Vehicle Code 23153 VC DUI with injury.
- Drove 20 to 30 miles per hour over the speed limit, and
- Drove in a reckless manner.22
Note that a prosecutor must prove all three of these facts to sustain the enhancement.
Legal references:
- California Vehicle Code 22350 VC. See also People v. Farleigh (Cal. Super. Ct. 2017), 221 Cal. Rptr. 3d 253.
- People v. Farleigh (2017) 221 Cal. Rptr. 3d 253.
- Washam v. Peerless Automatic Staple Machine Co. (1941) 45 Cal. App. 2d 174.
- Burton v. Los Angeles R. Corp. (1947) 79 Cal. App. 2d 605.
- Gambrel v. Duensing (1932) 127 Cal. App. 593.
- Lazzarotto v. Atchison, T. & S. F. R. Co. (1958) 157 Cal. App. 2d. 455.
- Green v. Uarte (1948) 87 Cal. App. 2d 75.
- Bingham v. Greenamyer (1938) 25 Cal. App. 2d 467.
- Meads v. Deener (1932) 128 Cal. App. 328.
- Falasco v. Hulen (1935) 6 Cal. App. 2d 224.
- See California Vehicle Code 22349 a VC and California Vehicle Code 22356 VC.
- California Vehicle Code 22352 VC.
- See California Vehicle Code 22351 VC.
- See California Vehicle Code 13355 VC and California Vehicle Code 22348 VC.
- Hert v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. (1935) 4 Cal. App. 2d 598.
- People v. Lett (1947) 77 Cal. App. 2d 917. See also Minnegren v. Nozar (Cal. App. 2d Dist. 2016), 208 Cal. Rptr. 3d 655; Pedeferri v. Seidner Enterprises (Cal. App. 2d Dist. 2013), 216 Cal. App. 4th 359.
- California Vehicle Code 22400 VC.
- See same.
- California Vehicle Code 23103 VC.
- Vehicle Code 23103(c) VC.
- California Vehicle Code 23582 VC.
- See same.