Speeding to Pass-2 tickets

[john422e]

I was driving in NY State and in a legal passing area, I passed two vehicles on the left. They sped up as I was passing them. In order to pass them, I had to exceed the speed limit of 55 mph. As soon as I returned to the right lane, I slowed down to the proper speed. I was pulled over and given a ticket for improper passing and speeding. The officer said it that one cannot pass two vehicles at once and one could not speed in order to pass. I'm confused because I thought I was passing legally. I know that in other states (like Washington where I first got my license) it is legal to speed in order to pass. I can't find any laws addressing my specific situation. Was what I did legal or illegal? Is it really illegal to pass 2 vehicles at once? How can I fight these tickets? I'm from Massachusetts and I don't want these tickets to affect my insurance rates.

 

[seniorjudge]

...I know that in other states (like Washington where I first got my license) it is legal to speed in order to pass. ...

You're saying it is okay to speed when you are in someone else's lane of traffic?!

:dgrin

I don't think so.

Prove me wrong: cite the statute number saying that.

Anyway, you are guilty as charged; it's real clear from the facts you stated: "...I passed two vehicles on the left. They sped up as I was passing them. In order to pass them, I had to exceed the speed limit of 55 mph...."

 

[john422e]

Yes, here's the statute. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.425
It makes sense, so that one can clear the lane of oncoming traffic faster.

RCW 46.61.425
Minimum speed regulation — Passing slow moving vehicle.

(1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law: PROVIDED, That a person following a vehicle driving at less than the legal maximum speed and desiring to pass such vehicle may exceed the speed limit, subject to the provisions of RCW 46.61.120 on highways having only one lane of traffic in each direction, at only such a speed and for only such a distance as is necessary to complete the pass with a reasonable margin of safety.

(2) Whenever the secretary of transportation or local authorities within their respective jurisdictions determine on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that slow speeds on any part of a highway unreasonably impede the normal movement of traffic, the secretary or such local authority may determine and declare a minimum speed limit thereat which shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected. No person shall drive a vehicle slower than such minimum speed limit except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.