{
  "id": 8547368,
  "name": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. ROBERT LEE BENNOR",
  "name_abbreviation": "State v. Bennor",
  "decision_date": "1969-09-17",
  "docket_number": "No. 6920SC425",
  "first_page": "188",
  "last_page": "190",
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    "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.",
    "id": 14983,
    "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals"
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    "name_long": "North Carolina",
    "name": "N.C."
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      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.2d",
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      "cite": "275 N.C. 168",
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      "reporter": "S.E.2d",
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    {
      "cite": "242 N.C. 47",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:07:50.917320+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
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  "casebody": {
    "judges": [
      "PARKER and Graham, JJ., concur."
    ],
    "parties": [
      "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. ROBERT LEE BENNOR"
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Campbell, J.\nThe defendant presents only one question for determination in this case. Is G.S. 20-141, the statute which pertains to speed restrictions in the operation of motor vehicles upon the public highways, unconstitutional, in that trucks weighing 2% tons are restricted to a maximum speed limit of 45 miles per hour on a public highway such as the one on which the defendant was operating on this occasion whereas \u201cpassenger cars, regular passenger carrying vehicles, and pick-up trucks of less than one-ton capacity\u201d are permitted to operate at a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour?\nThe defendant cites no authority to support his position and simply asserts \u201c[t]he engineering and mechanical achievements of recent years are well known and a statute written over twenty (20) years ago is not necessarily relevant to today\u2019s improved highways and vehicles. * * * The conditions today do not call for such limitations since trucks are normally engineered and produced as well as passenger vehicles a.nd criteria other than weight alone is necessary to so distinguish the proper speed limits.\u201d\nThere is no merit in the contentions made by the defendant. The motor vehicle speed statute G.S. 20-141 has been scrutinized and studied by the Legislature at every session of that body and has been amended, changed and altered constantly in keeping with changes in highway construction and public safety. This statute was \u201cenacted for the protection of persons and property and in the interest of public safety, and the preservation of human life.\u201d State v. Norris, 242 N.C. 47, 86 S.E. 2d 916.\n\u201c* * * The reasonableness of a statutory speed regulation is ordinarily regarded as a question for the legislative branch of the government. * * *\u201d 60 C.J.S., Motor Vehicles, \u00a7 29(1) a, p. 226.\n\u201cFurthermore there is a presumption that any Act passed by the Legislature is constitutional and all reasonable doubts will be resolved in favor of the lawful exercise of their powers by the representatives of the people.\u201d State v. Anderson, 3 N.C. App. 124, 164 S.E. 2d 48. Affirmed, 275 N.C. 168, 166 S.E. 2d 49.\nWe think and hold that a difference in speed based upon weight and size of motor vehicles \u201c \u2018bears a real and substantial relationship to the public health, safety, morals or some other phase of the public welfare.\u2019 \u201d State v. Anderson, 275 N.C. 168, 166 S.E. 2d 49.\nAffirmed.\nPARKER and Graham, JJ., concur.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Campbell, J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Attorney General Robert Morgan by Assistant Attorney General William W. Melvin and Staff Attorney T. Buie Costen for the State.",
      "Seawell, Van Camp & Morgan by William J. Morgan for defendant-appellant."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. ROBERT LEE BENNOR\nNo. 6920SC425\n(Filed 17 September 1969)\nAutomobiles \u00a7 116; Constitutional Law \u00a7 13\u2014 speeding statute \u2014 trucks \u2014 police powers \u2014 public safety\nThe statute, G.S. 20-141, restricting tbe operator-of a two-and-one-half ton truck to a maximum speed limit of 45 mph on the public highway while permitting passenger cars and pick-up trucks of less than one-ton capacity to operate at a maximum speed of 55' mph is held constitutional, since the difference in speed based upon weight and size of motor vehicles bears a real and substantial relationship to the public safety.\nAppeal by defendant from Exum, J., 28 April 1969 Session, Mooee County Superior Court.\nThe defendant was charged and convicted of operating a truck weighing 2% tons on North Carolina Highway No. 27 at a speed of 55 miles per hour in violation of G.S. 20-141. This occurred at approximately 11:05 a.m. on 7 February 1969 at a point some six miles west of Carthage, North Carolina. At this location the maximum speed limit for trucks of the type being driven by the defendant was 45 miles per hour.\nThe defendant testified that he was driving approximately 55 miles per hour. He stated that\n\u201c* * * I usually stay right around 55 and I was traveling approximately 55 miles per hour at this time. I was aware that the speed limit for trucks was 45 miles per hour and I entered my plea of not guilty to this charge \u2018for the simple fact that traffic moving slower than other traffic around is endangering himself and the life of other people behind him and traffic approaching, cars passing, and everything. As long as traffic moves together, you will not have the places where accidents will occur of passing, and I usually run with the traffic. * * *\u2019 \u201d\nFrom a jury verdict of guilty and imposition of sentence, defendant appealed.\nAttorney General Robert Morgan by Assistant Attorney General William W. Melvin and Staff Attorney T. Buie Costen for the State.\nSeawell, Van Camp & Morgan by William J. Morgan for defendant-appellant."
  },
  "file_name": "0188-01",
  "first_page_order": 212,
  "last_page_order": 214
}