# How can cops give out speeding tickets on privately funded toll roads? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 4, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-cops-give-out-speeding-tickets-on-privately-funded-toll-roads/192940 "2003-08-04T17:32:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-cops-give-out-speeding-tickets-on-privately-funded-toll-roads/192940/21 "2017-09-19T17:02:17Z")
Some of the cites above seem to imply that an interstate can’t be a toll road. But the Ohio Turnpike and the Pennsylvania Turnpike are both part of I-80. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-cops-give-out-speeding-tickets-on-privately-funded-toll-roads/192940/22 "2017-09-19T17:59:36Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > But careless is a subjective term. And if a stop sign is not enforceable (on private property) it’s just a decoration. Me going through it (carefully) does not implicitly indicate carelessness because it has no force… any more than me going the wrong way (carefully) on a private road. Everywhere you are obliged to be careful and avoid causing accidents. However, if it is not mandatory to obey private traffic signs, then the person obliviously assuming there are no oncoming cars or wandering pedestrians is equally at fault, even though going the “right” way. A person assuming another will stop at a meaningless stop sign is exhibiting a degree of carelessness. > > That’s why I like the system in much of Canada, where such signs are enforceable. Then there is no question what you must do to be careful. Careless and reckless are subjective on public property too. So what? That’s what I get paid the big bucks for. Then I have to convince a judge that I’m right. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-cops-give-out-speeding-tickets-on-privately-funded-toll-roads/192940/23 "2017-09-19T18:24:02Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Some of the cites above seem to imply that an interstate can’t be a toll road. But the Ohio Turnpike and the Pennsylvania Turnpike are both part of I-80. Pretty much all the toll roads I can think of here are interstates: I-355, I-294, parts of I-90 and I-94. The only exception is a 6 miles road called the Elgin-Ohare Tollway, which is Ill Rte. 390. ETA: Almost forgot I-88 to the interstate list. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-cops-give-out-speeding-tickets-on-privately-funded-toll-roads/192940/24 "2017-09-19T19:15:18Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Careless and reckless are subjective on public property too. So what? That’s what I get paid the big bucks for. Then I have to convince a judge that I’m right. I’m not disagreeing with you. I’m just pointing out that not stopping when the law requires you to is obviously careless. Not stopping when you are not required to - is not necessarily careless. it would be so much simpler if they just made traffic signs applicable on private property. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-cops-give-out-speeding-tickets-on-privately-funded-toll-roads/192940/25 "2017-09-19T23:44:10Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I’m not disagreeing with you. I’m just pointing out that not stopping when the law requires you to is obviously careless. Not stopping when you are not required to - is not necessarily careless. it would be so much simpler if they just made traffic signs applicable on private property. With the usual caveat that I’m only speaking of one state, they can make it applicable. The property owner can request for all traffic laws to be applicable on their property. There is a process in which the private roadway is inspected to make sure the signage and markings comply with state law. After that it’s entered into the local ordinance and all motor vehicle statutes can be enforced. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-cops-give-out-speeding-tickets-on-privately-funded-toll-roads/192940/26 "2017-09-20T00:20:54Z")
**How can cops give out speeding tickets on privately funded toll roads?** In the case of the Dulles Greenway in northern Virginia, it’s because[the owners hired the state police](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1995/07/27/dulles-greenway-hires-state-police-to-patrol-road/12e34dc3-0168-4ec4-a5bf-580a38c7eb62/?utm_term=.fa70b1db3ff8)to work the highway, and gave them full enforcement authority – including writing tickets. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-cops-give-out-speeding-tickets-on-privately-funded-toll-roads/192940.md?page=1)