State Troopers Hit The Jackpot For Montana

Montana has no posted daytime speed limit, but that doesn’t mean you can drive as fast as you want to, a convoy of Mercedes-Benz test drivers learned this week.

Fifteen drivers for the German auto manufacturer were ticketed last week on Interstate 90 near Park City after their convoy was clocked at speeds in excess of 95 mph, according to the Montana Highway Patrol.

“They all just pulled over one behind the other,” said patrol Sgt. Robert Koch. The patrol had received a complaint about a large convoy of cars traveling at high speeds on the interstate, so officers laid in wait, Koch said.

The drivers, apparently testing the cars for performance in Montana’s high altitudes, were fined $70 each for failing to drive in a “reasonable and prudent” manner as required by state law, said Koch.

Most cars in the convoy were Mercedes test vehicles not yet on the market, but they also included other makes of cars being driven for comparison, Koch said.

Montana discontinued its posted speed limit last December, but state law still holds motorists to the “basic rule” requiring them to drive safely and to take into consideration the weather, road conditions, traffic and other factors.