LUZERNE COUNTY -- State police are enforcing a new speed limit across most of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. On all of the northeast extension of the turnpike (I-476) from Luzerne County to Carbon County, the new 70 miles per hour signs were posted by noon on Tuesday.
Some drivers who see the new 70 mph speed limit signs believe police won't actually pull you over for going just a little over the posted limit.
"I was actually told that most of the time, the state police will let you go for 8 over," said David Himebeck in Carbon County.
"At 71 miles per hour, you could be ticketed in the state of Pennsylvania," said Cpl. Jeremy Franklin with Troop T.
Under Pennsylvania law, if state police are using a radar gun for speed enforcement, they have to wait until you are six miles over the posted speed limit signs to pull you over.
However, if they are following you, they can pull you over and ticket you for anything over the posted speed limit sign.
So while going faster than 70 will open you up to getting pulled over and possibly ticketed, state police warn even going the posted speed limit in bad weather conditions could also land you in some trouble.
"Let's say now there is a downpour and you are doing 70. If you wreck because you are going 70 and you hit a puddle of water, that is still on you. You can still be cited then for driving too fast under the conditions," said Cpl. Franklin.
