Is the era of speed limit increases over?

[Ingsoc75]

The complete list is below:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States

I'm surprised ND hasn't been able to pass an increase to 80 mph seeing as it's flat and has a low population.

ID, MT, NV, OK, SD, TX (in small places), UT, and WY currently allow 80 on their freeways. I find it very surprising that KS hasn't returned to that number, since I remember it being used (prior to the NMSL being adopted) by studying old atlases. Also, I think AZ, NE and NM should at least consider joining the 80 club.

AZ has the issue of the super speeder law being 85. Unless that changes, don't expect AZ to raise their limit. ND recently tried and failed. Nebraska tried in the late 2010s and also failed. NM hasn't been tried, but I wouldn't expect it given state politics. At this point, I'd be surprised if even any of the 70 states jump to 75. Ohio looked at it but shelved, ME and MI have maxed out where it is reasonable, the west coast will never (despite WA law allowing up to 75).

These are good examples of why the paradigm of "the speed limit is 10 mph slower than what we want traffic to actually go" needs to die.  75 mph is a very comfortable speed to drive on rural interstates everywhere, even in the northeast.  But because they don't want you to go faster than that, they sign the limit at 65 instead.

Ironically this was one of many justifications why Florida's attempt at allowing 75mph was stopped. Sign 75 and "everyone" will be driving 85. And goodness forbid the "think of the children" argument was used due to concerns over teen drivers going 85+. Not too long ago I was one of those teen drivers, and 85 was freaking slow for my peers...

I also find it ironic that in Florida the argument tends to change a lot about what "everyone" does with respect to a posted speed limit. Sometimes I hear "everyone" goes 5 over (ok I'll admit I'm in this group), other times I'll hear that "everyone" goes 10 over, and more recently I've been hearing "everyone" goes 15 over.

Also, if "everyone" goes 10-15 over and that was the justification for keeping the 70 cap, why do I know people who have gotten ticketed for 76-78 in the 70?

Honestly, I'd rather have pervasive speed cameras with reasonable limits instead of lax enforcement plus unreasonably low limits, but I seem to be in the minority on that.  Why someone would rather break a rule and get away with it most but not all of the time instead of following a rule all the time (and therefore never get punished for breaking the rule) is beyond me (not just on this issue, but with respect to life in general).

(personal opinion)

I think Alligator Alley would be a prime place for a having a 75 mph zone.

[ElishaGOtis]

The complete list is below:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States

I'm surprised ND hasn't been able to pass an increase to 80 mph seeing as it's flat and has a low population.

ID, MT, NV, OK, SD, TX (in small places), UT, and WY currently allow 80 on their freeways. I find it very surprising that KS hasn't returned to that number, since I remember it being used (prior to the NMSL being adopted) by studying old atlases. Also, I think AZ, NE and NM should at least consider joining the 80 club.

AZ has the issue of the super speeder law being 85. Unless that changes, don't expect AZ to raise their limit. ND recently tried and failed. Nebraska tried in the late 2010s and also failed. NM hasn't been tried, but I wouldn't expect it given state politics. At this point, I'd be surprised if even any of the 70 states jump to 75. Ohio looked at it but shelved, ME and MI have maxed out where it is reasonable, the west coast will never (despite WA law allowing up to 75).

These are good examples of why the paradigm of "the speed limit is 10 mph slower than what we want traffic to actually go" needs to die.  75 mph is a very comfortable speed to drive on rural interstates everywhere, even in the northeast.  But because they don't want you to go faster than that, they sign the limit at 65 instead.

Ironically this was one of many justifications why Florida's attempt at allowing 75mph was stopped. Sign 75 and "everyone" will be driving 85. And goodness forbid the "think of the children" argument was used due to concerns over teen drivers going 85+. Not too long ago I was one of those teen drivers, and 85 was freaking slow for my peers...

I also find it ironic that in Florida the argument tends to change a lot about what "everyone" does with respect to a posted speed limit. Sometimes I hear "everyone" goes 5 over (ok I'll admit I'm in this group), other times I'll hear that "everyone" goes 10 over, and more recently I've been hearing "everyone" goes 15 over.

Also, if "everyone" goes 10-15 over and that was the justification for keeping the 70 cap, why do I know people who have gotten ticketed for 76-78 in the 70?

Honestly, I'd rather have pervasive speed cameras with reasonable limits instead of lax enforcement plus unreasonably low limits, but I seem to be in the minority on that.  Why someone would rather break a rule and get away with it most but not all of the time instead of following a rule all the time (and therefore never get punished for breaking the rule) is beyond me (not just on this issue, but with respect to life in general).

(personal opinion)

I think Alligator Alley would be a prime place for a having a 75 mph zone.

Ironically, the dynamic message signs already indicate an 80mph+ operating speed...

SR-869 / I-595
27 miles
20-23 min

[US 89]

For Florida in particular, the feel of the 70 mph interstate speed limit varies greatly depending on what road you're on. It feels a lot better on a higher traffic road like I-95 than it does on I-10 through the panhandle. I typically set my cruise control for 77 on Florida interstates, which was about in line with what most other cars were doing, and never had an issue with it.

One way Florida is nice is that they allow 60 mph on two-lane roads. There are plenty of roads down there that would feel totally safe at 65-70 (which is what people drive on them), but most states in that part of the country cap those roads at 55 mph, which feels way too slow 90% of the time.

[ElishaGOtis]

HB 1055 - New Tennessee bill to raise default freeway speed limit to 75, minimum left-lane speed to 60, and prohibit violations for speeds between 60 and 80 on the specified highways.

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1055

[vdeane]

prohibit violations for speeds between 60 and 80 on the specified highways.

If you're going to make the speed limit 80, just make it 80.  Don't go "it's 75, but it's really 80".  The 5 mph tolerance is supposed to be so that people don't get nailed when they're honestly trying to maintain the speed limit (ie, if their speedometer and/or the radar gun is off, or their cruise control momentarily drifts), not be tacit permission for everyone to just go 5 mph over all the time.

[ElishaGOtis]

prohibit violations for speeds between 60 and 80 on the specified highways.

If you're going to make the speed limit 80, just make it 80.  Don't go "it's 75, but it's really 80".  The 5 mph tolerance is supposed to be so that people don't get nailed when they're honestly trying to maintain the speed limit (ie, if their speedometer and/or the radar gun is off, or their cruise control momentarily drifts), not be tacit permission for everyone to just go 5 mph over all the time.

You can still be pulled over for less than 5 over, just not issued a ticket. That is the law currently in TN (no violations between 55 and 75 in a 70), as is with GA and FL.

However, this exception only exists for the higher limits. I know someone who got a ticket for 34 in a 30 recently, which is kinda silly imho but completely legal.

[freebrickproductions]

HB 1055 - New Tennessee bill to raise default freeway speed limit to 75, minimum left-lane speed to 60, and prohibit violations for speeds between 60 and 80 on the specified highways.

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1055

Given that Mississippi and now Tennessee are both proposing increasing their default freeway speed limits to 75, I wonder if we could see Alabama proposing a similar increase.

[ElishaGOtis]

HB 1055 - New Tennessee bill to raise default freeway speed limit to 75, minimum left-lane speed to 60, and prohibit violations for speeds between 60 and 80 on the specified highways.

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1055

Given that Mississippi and now Tennessee are both proposing increasing their default freeway speed limits to 75, I wonder if we could see Alabama proposing a similar increase.

Right now as far as I'm aware, the DOT legally can do so wherever they prefer.

Fingers crossed this extends to FL sometime soon

[ElishaGOtis]

North Carolina HB 112 would increase the max allowed Interstate speed limit to 75, with criminal speed still applying at 10 over (80 in a 70, 85 in a 75). This is similar to previous session bills.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H112

Also, it appears the TN bill is dead for now

[ElishaGOtis]

Mississippi House passes HB 74 (increases default limits to 75 freeway / 70 elsewhere) in a 110-5 vote, with 7 absent or vacant.


https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/votes/house/0380032.pdf

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/726849-florida-could-soon-raise-the-speed-limit-on-its-highways/

Florida might be the next state east of the Mississippi River to raise the speed limit to 75 mph on limited-access highways.

For any other highways outside urban areas, meaning those with populations of 5,000 or more, the speed limit would ramp up from 65 mph to 70 mph, so long as there was a median strip dividing the lanes of traffic.

The language filed by DiCeglie would also allow the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to set maximum speeds for other roads deemed as safe and advisable as high as 65 mph. The agency right now only has discretion to boost the maximum speed on such roads to 60 mph.

[ElishaGOtis]

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/726849-florida-could-soon-raise-the-speed-limit-on-its-highways/

Florida might be the next state east of the Mississippi River to raise the speed limit to 75 mph on limited-access highways.

For any other highways outside urban areas, meaning those with populations of 5,000 or more, the speed limit would ramp up from 65 mph to 70 mph, so long as there was a median strip dividing the lanes of traffic.

The language filed by DiCeglie would also allow the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to set maximum speeds for other roads deemed as safe and advisable as high as 65 mph. The agency right now only has discretion to boost the maximum speed on such roads to 60 mph.

Bill here (pages 7-8): https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/462/Amendment/816070/PDF

This amendment is nearly identical to the bill that was vetoed back in 2014. Also rescinds the statutory minimum speed limits.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-senate-passes-80-mph-speed-limit-on-interstates-fine-increases-and-point-penalty-changes

Speed limit bill in ND passed with a close margin (25-21) in the Senate!

Next step- Gov. Kelly Armstrong signs the bill, and ND will be the latest state out west to have an 80 mph speed limit!

[ElishaGOtis]

Speed limit provisions removed from SB 462 in late-filed amendment, now only present in HB 567.

Florida bill seems less likely to go through... https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/462/Amendment/133278/PDF

[ElishaGOtis]

https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-senate-passes-80-mph-speed-limit-on-interstates-fine-increases-and-point-penalty-changes

Speed limit bill in ND passed with a close margin (25-21) in the Senate!

Next step- Gov. Kelly Armstrong signs the bill, and ND will be the latest state out west to have an 80 mph speed limit!

SIGNED INTO LAW!!       

[ElishaGOtis]

Is it possible to have this thread, or certain messages within this thread, merged with this other thread regarding current proposals? https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14934.0

Seems like a bill in at least 1 state legislature pops up every year, with 11 alone last year (ND 75-80 [passed], TN 70->75, NC 70->75, NY 65->70, MA 65->70, FL 70->75 plus others, NJ 85%ile, MS 70->75, IA 55->60 2-lane, MT 70->75 divided [passed], and IN 70->75). There was probably more but this is what I recall.

Currently there are active bills in NC 70->75 (rollover), NJ 85%ile (rollover), MO 70->75, AZ 75->80, and NY 65->70 (rollover). Again, there is probably more but this is what I could find.

And if you want to be really silly... why not include Canada as well lol  AB 110->120, ON 100->110 universally (passed)...

Not to mention the Czech Republic's 150km/h zone that was implemented just in October.

[Roadgeekteen]

OK this is just a crazy theory but might not be true, but I noticed that the increases Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Maryland, and New Hampshite all happened during the 2010s during the Obama years. This is when the GOP gained control of many governor and legislature chambers from the Democrats in the big red waves of 2010 and 2014. For many of these states, they boosted their limits after new Republicans came in. But during the 2018 blue wave Democrats took partial or full control of many of these states and we've barely seen increases since in the Northeast and Midwest.

[Great Lakes Roads]

OK this is just a crazy theory but might not be true, but I noticed that the increases Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Maryland, and New Hampshite all happened during the 2010s during the Obama years. This is when the GOP gained control of many governor and legislature chambers from the Democrats in the big red waves of 2010 and 2014. For many of these states, they boosted their limits after new Republicans came in. But during the 2018 blue wave Democrats took partial or full control of many of these states and we've barely seen increases since in the Northeast and Midwest.

Since 2018:
Arkansas- went up from 70 to 75 mph in 2020
Oklahoma- went up from 70/75 mph to 75/80 mph in 2020
North Dakota- went up from 75 mph to 80 mph in 2025
Missouri- might be going up from 70 mph to 75 mph this year

[kphoger]

OK this is just a crazy theory but might not be true, but I noticed that the increases Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Maryland, and New Hampshite all happened during the 2010s during the Obama years. This is when the GOP gained control of many governor and legislature chambers from the Democrats in the big red waves of 2010 and 2014. For many of these states, they boosted their limits after new Republicans came in. But during the 2018 blue wave Democrats took partial or full control of many of these states and we've barely seen increases since in the Northeast and Midwest.

Since 2018:
Arkansas- went up from 70 to 75 mph in 2020
Oklahoma- went up from 70/75 mph to 75/80 mph in 2020
North Dakota- went up from 75 mph to 80 mph in 2025
Missouri- might be going up from 70 mph to 75 mph this year

I don't know if his theory is right or not, but those increases don't really mean much in this context.  Unless I'm missing something, all four of those states had/have Republicans controlling the state House, Senate, and Governor's seat at the time.

[Roadgeekteen]

OK this is just a crazy theory but might not be true, but I noticed that the increases Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Maryland, and New Hampshite all happened during the 2010s during the Obama years. This is when the GOP gained control of many governor and legislature chambers from the Democrats in the big red waves of 2010 and 2014. For many of these states, they boosted their limits after new Republicans came in. But during the 2018 blue wave Democrats took partial or full control of many of these states and we've barely seen increases since in the Northeast and Midwest.

Since 2018:
Arkansas- went up from 70 to 75 mph in 2020
Oklahoma- went up from 70/75 mph to 75/80 mph in 2020
North Dakota- went up from 75 mph to 80 mph in 2025
Missouri- might be going up from 70 mph to 75 mph this year

all in GOP trifectas. And even then 4 in 8 years is waaay lower than 2010 to 2018.

[Roadgeekteen]

OK this is just a crazy theory but might not be true, but I noticed that the increases Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Maryland, and New Hampshite all happened during the 2010s during the Obama years. This is when the GOP gained control of many governor and legislature chambers from the Democrats in the big red waves of 2010 and 2014. For many of these states, they boosted their limits after new Republicans came in. But during the 2018 blue wave Democrats took partial or full control of many of these states and we've barely seen increases since in the Northeast and Midwest.

Since 2018:
Arkansas- went up from 70 to 75 mph in 2020
Oklahoma- went up from 70/75 mph to 75/80 mph in 2020
North Dakota- went up from 75 mph to 80 mph in 2025
Missouri- might be going up from 70 mph to 75 mph this year

I don't know if his theory is right or not, but those increases don't really mean much in this context.  Unless I'm missing something, all four of those states had/have Republicans controlling the state House, Senate, and Governor's seat at the time.

Yeah, the good counterargument is actually Oregon where a D trifecta (reluctantly) boosted it to 70 in 2015.

[kphoger]

Yeah, the good counterargument is actually Oregon where a D trifecta (reluctantly) boosted it to 70 in 2015.

Will roadgeeks soon run out of things to make fun of Oregon for?

[interstatefan990]

The "era" of absolute speed limits needs to end. In my opinion, all states should use prima facie speed limits. The difference is basically that an absolute limit means even 1 mile per hour over is a violation, no questions asked; prima facie means exceeding the limit will be presumed a violation, but you can successfully contest it by proving that speed was still reasonable and prudent despite being over the limit.

See how Texas defines speed violations:

Sec. 545.352.  PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS.  (a)  A speed in excess of the limits established by Subsection (b) or under another provision of this subchapter is prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable and prudent and that the speed is unlawful.

All this talk about speed limit increases would be less relevant if speed limits were considered as more of a baseline than an absolute cap. The amount of road in the US where you can safely drive over the speed limit is vastly greater than the amount of road where you cannot safely do so, so there should be an subjective standard when it comes to speed restrictions. This would also help make police officers use more discretion in determining whether a car's speed is unlawful, instead of sticking to an exact miles per hour figure.

Also, this might sound stupid to some people, but I think this system would bode better with the ideals of American freedom and protection from governmental intrusion anyway.

[Rothman]

Meh, I like the thrill of seeing how fast I can get away with better.

ETA:  Doesn't Kansas or Oklahoma add "Zero Tolerance" to its speed limit signage in some instances (Turnpikes?)?  Always wondered if that was to say they'll nail you for 1 mph over.

[kphoger]

... an absolute limit means even 1 mile per hour over is a violation, no questions asked;

This is not how speed limits are enforced.  Most places, cops almost always let people go plenty more than 1mph over the limit.

All this talk about speed limit increases would be less relevant if speed limits were considered as more of a baseline than an absolute cap ... there should be an subjective standard when it comes to speed restrictions. This would also help make police officers use more discretion in determining whether a car's speed is unlawful, instead of sticking to an exact miles per hour figure.

They already do.  Just the other day, I drove by a police officer running radar right next to the highway, and I was going about 11 or 12 over the limit.  He didn't budge.  He was probably waiting for someone to be going even faster than that to nab.

Doesn't Kansas or Oklahoma add "Zero Tolerance" to its speed limit signage in some instances (Turnpikes?)?  Always wondered if that was to say they'll nail you for 1 mph over.

I know they do in Oklahoma:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/2AyvSq5uedP8V3AU6

I don't have a whole lot of experience with enforcement there, but I do have two instances to share:

One was as I was leaving Tulsa in, oh, 2009 or 2010 or something.  I heading west on US-412 through Sand Springs, so it wasn't even technically the turnpike yet.  A police officer was going exactly the speed limit in the left lane.  I started to i-i-i-inch by him at about 1mph over the speed limit in the right lane.  As I got neck-and-neck with him, he revved his engine, stared at me, and pointed at his radar gun.  So I slowed down to match his speed.  Then, a couple of minutes later, he sped way up, darted over across my lane in front of me, and got off at an exit.

Another was sometime around that too, maybe the next year or something.  I was driving west on the same turnpike, but closer to I-35 at this point.  If memory serves, I was going about 7mph over the limit.  And a turnpike highway patrol car coming the other direction flipped a u-turn across the grassy median (back when it was still grass) to pull me over.  No ticket, fortunately.