What offense is committed if a driver exceeds the speed limit in a clearly posted zone?

Exceeding the speed limit in a clearly posted zone is classified as the offense of speeding. This designation is based on the fact that speed limits are established to enhance road safety and regulate traffic flow. When a driver operates a vehicle above the designated speed limit, they directly violate these regulations.

Speeding is often treated as a straightforward infraction, distinct from more serious offenses such as reckless or negligent driving, which involve more severe behavior or consequences. Reckless driving typically implies a willful disregard for safety that could endanger others, while negligent driving suggests a lack of care that leads to unsafe conditions. Careless driving may encompass a broader range of irresponsible behavior behind the wheel. Thus, the specific act of simply exceeding the posted speed is categorized directly under the violation of speeding, which is why that designation is the most accurate in this context.