I've heard that the police are very strict in enforcing the reduced truck speed limit in California. Is this just during the daytime or are they just as strict at night (2am) when there are more trucks and fewer 4 wheels on the road?

 

California is Strict 24/7/365

 

Simple solution...........do the speed limit. Problem solved........Next.

 

CHP will usually let you get away with 62-63 mph. But stay in right lane.

 

There are two things in my opinion that require extra extra diligence (besides the obvious like school zones)

1. Watch your downhill speed. Especially short downhill situations less than a mile. This is the favorite hang out for California's finest. You are going 55 .. maybe 58 and then accelerate to 62 or 65 .. they Will be waiting for you. Right around mile marker 649 on I5 southbound is such a convenient place.

2. Watch out for being in a lane besides the right two lanes (right lane if only two lanes) unless signs specifically say "Trucks OK". There are merges on California's freeways where you have to quickly get into the right lanes or you will be ticketed. The confusion comes when you have to make a left exit like West CA 60 fom the I10 or the 101 / 10 / I5 interchange. Just be aware and keep your lane until it says "Trucks OK"

 

This has nothing to with trucking, but I was a young LCPL in the Marine Corps stationed at Camp Pendelton in the mid 70's. I took leave, went home and bought a Corvette. I had no idea how long it would take to get back to Camp Pendleton so I pretty much speeded across four states, Texas to California. I made pretty good time so once I crossed into California I slowed down to about 10 miles above the speed limit. I had no problems to that point, I guess I was lucky because I was going 80 mph to 100 mph. Anyway, I slowed down and was just cruising, I was looking out for cops and there were none around. All of a sudden there were lights, headlights, then overhead lights behind me. CHP didn't have radar, the sucker was pacing me with his lights off in the middle of the night and snuck up behind me.

 

Thanks for the responses.

I'll follow lifespalette's suggestion:
Simple solution...........do the speed limit

And I'll certainly keep a close eye on the speedometer coming down those hills.

 

Not to confuse the issue, but bear in mind that Northern CA and Southern CA are 2 different animals. ("Southern CA" starts south of the grapevine.") Normal speed for a car down the 101 through the valley is 75+, (I 10 between the 405 and the 5 is also a "no fly zone") do that in northern CA and expect a ticket. ALSO BEAR IN MIND MOTORCYCLES LANE SPLITTING IS LEGAL IN CALIFORNIA. as well as no bridge tolls and ok for carpool lanes.

 

Remember that this is a Trucking forum

 

I do, but I've never driven a truck. Just my observation while driving a motorcycle and cage (4 wheeled vehicle). I could be very wrong but I noticed the difference between No and So CA, so I figured the reason for the 2 different leniency levels referred to in this thread were due to which part of the state your in.

Bottom line; don't break the law and you'll have nothing to worry about.