North Carolina RADAR State Practice Exam

Does North Carolina recognize a prima facie speed law?

1. Yes, it does

2. No, it does not

3. Only for commercial vehicles

4. Only in school zones

The correct answer is: No, it does not

The notion of a prima facie speed law refers to a general speed limit, where the posted speed limit is considered appropriate unless proven otherwise. In North Carolina, the state does not recognize such a prima facie standard; instead, it has specific speed limits established for different types of roadways and conditions. This means that exceeding the standard limits as set by law is inherently considered a violation, without needing further explanation or evidence of unsafe conditions. Understanding this context helps clarify why the other options do not hold true in North Carolina. While there are regulations in place specifically for commercial vehicles and school zones, these are specific applications of speed laws rather than a broadly applied prima facie standard. Thus, the absence of such a standard in North Carolina's traffic laws confirms that the state operates under clear and defined speed statutes rather than the prima facie approach.