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Archive-name: autos/state-speed-limits
Posting-Frequency: Every other thursday
Last-modified: 9/6/1997 (M/D/Y)
Last-posted: 7/3/1997
URL: http://sunsite.unc.edu/rdu/sl-attud/index.html
This is the FAQ Version of my States' Attitudes Towards Speed Limits
lists at my Reasonable Drivers Unanimous site (http://sunsite.unc.edu/rdu/).
It is posted biweekly to several traffic/driving related newsgroups
and is sent out at the same time to all members of the Sl-Attud
mailing list. If you would like to join the list sent me a note at
kevina@clark.net.
It consisted chiefly of two parts a Summary Chart and a Detailed List.
The Summary Chart shows the current and proposed speed limits for the
various states. It has just recently been changes to make it a lot
less confusing. Unfortunately some information was lost in the
process. The Original Summary Chart is available near the end of this
document for those who like it better.
The News Summary gives a gives a quick overview of what is happening
in the states in terms of speed limits. Only states with something
happening within the last 6 months are listed. This information is
also included in the Detailed List but is separated for those who do
not wish to go through it all.
The Detailed List shows a detailed breakdown of every states attitude
toward speed limits in plain English. This is the place were you can
find the full story of any possible increases. If you wish to have
access to the links presented see the html version.
The Original Summary Chart is the original confusing Chart. It is
designed to show the general attitude of states toward speed limits
and what the current post-NMSL speed limit is.
I am trying to keep this information as up-to-date as possible so if
you know of any New Speed Limits, when it will take effect, and/or the
story of any possible increases for your state or any other state
please let me know at kevina@clark.net; 7962 Helmart Dr., Laurel MD
20723. Be sure to include how you found out about the information.
With out it I have no way to judge how valid it is.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1) Changes Since Last Posting
2) Summary Chart
3) News Summary
4) Detailed List
5) Summary Summary
6) Original Summary Chart
7) Credits Etc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) CHANGES SINCE LAST POSTING
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Changes stared indicate a significant change. Not all non-significant
will show up in the Summary Chart)
9/6/97: WV, ME*, OH, TX
8/26/97: WV*, LA, MD
7/13/97: OR*, WV*, KS, TX
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2) SUMMARY CHART
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The limits for the Current and Proposed limits are as follows:
(Rural Freeway / Divided / UnDivided / Urban Freeway)
The Change date is the date of the most recent rural freeway limit change.
"Pre" stands for what the rural freeway limit was before the 55 mandate.
Please see the Notes at the end of this chart for an explanation of what the
various abbreviations mean.
For a detailed breakdown of any state click on its name.
State | Current Limit | Proposed Limit | applies to| Change| Pre
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska | 65 55 55 55 | | | 88/01 | 70
| | | | |
Alabama | 70 65 55 65 | | | 96/05 | 70
| | | | |
Arkansas | 70 55 55 55 | | | 96/08 | 75
| 65 55 55 55 | | trucks | |
| | | | |
Arizona | 75 55 55 55 | -- 65 65 65 | | 95/12 | 75
| | | | |
California | 70 65 65* 65 | | | 96/01 | 70
| 55 55 55 55 | | combinat. | |
| | | | |
Colorado | 75 65 65 55 | | | 96/05 | 70
| | 55 55 55 55 | trucks | |
| | | | |
Conn. | 55 55 50 55 | 60 -- -- -- | | | 60
| | | | |
Delaware | 65 55 50 55 | | | 96/01 | 60
| | | | |
Florida | 70 65 55 55 | | | 96/04 | 70
| | | | |
Georgia | 70 65 55 65 | | | 96/07 | 70
| | | | |
Hawaii | 55 55 45 55 | | | | 70
| | | | |
Iowa | 65 55 55 65* | | | 87/05 | 75
| | | | |
Idaho | 75 65 65 55 | | | 96/05 | 70
| | | | |
Illinois | 65 65 55 65* | | | 87/04 | 70
| 55 55 55 55 | | trucks | |
| | | | |
Indiana | 65 55 55 55 | | | 87/06 | 70
| | | | |
Kansas | 70 70 65 55 | | | 96/03 | 75
| | | | |
Kentucky | 65 55 55 55 | | | 87/06 | 70
| | | | |
Louisiana | 70 65 55 60 | | | 97/07 | 70
| | | | |
Mass. | 65 65 55 65 | | | 92/01 | 65
| | | | |
Maryland | 65 55 55 60* | | | 95/07 | 70
| | | | |
Maine | 65 55 55 55 | | | 87/06 | 70
| | | | |
Michigan | 70 55 55 65 | | | 97/01 | 70
| 55 55 55 55 | 70 -- -- 65 mayb | trucks | |
| | | | |
Minnesota | 70 65 55 65 | | | 97/06 | 65
| | | | |
Missouri | 70 70 60 60 | | | 96/03 | 70
| | | | |
Miss. | 70 55 55 60 | -- 70 65 -- | | 96/03 | 70
| | | | |
Montana | 00 00 00 55 | | day | 95/12 | 00*
| 65 55 55 55 | | night | |
| 65 60 60 55 | | trucks | |
| | | | |
Nebraska | 75 65 60 55 | | | 96/06 | 75
| | | | |
N Carolina | 70 55 55 65 | | | 96/08 | 70
| | | | |
N Dakota | 70 65 65 55 | | day | 96/07 | 75
| 70 55 55 55 | | night | |
| | | | |
N. Hamp. | 65 55 55 55 | | | 87/04 | 70
| | | | |
New Jersey | 55 55 50 55 | 65 -- -- -- mayb | | | 60*
| | | | |
New Mexico | 75 70 65 55 | | | 96/02 | 70
| | | | |
Nevada | 75 70 70 65 | | | 95/12 | 00
| | | | |
New York | 65 55 55 65* | | | 95/08 | 65
| | | | |
Ohio | 65 65 55 65 | | | 87/07 | 70
| 55 55 55 55 | | trucks | |
| | | | |
Oklahoma | 75* 70 65 60 | | day | 95/12 | 70
| 75* 65 55 60 | | night | |
| 60 60 55 60 | | trucks | |
| 55 55 55 55 | | nig truck | |
| 65 50 ?? ?? | | school b. | |
| | 75 -- 65 65 done | | |
| | | | |
Oregon | 65 55 55 55 | | | 87/09 | 75
| | | | |
Penn. | 65 55 55 55 | -- -- -- 65 | | 95/07 | 65
| | | | |
R. Island | 65 55 50 55 | | | 96/05 | 60
| | | | |
S Carolina | 65 55 55 55 | | | 87/08 | 70
| | | | |
S Dakota | 75 65 65 55 | | | 96/04 | 75
| 65 55 55 55 | | trucks | |
| | | | |
Tennessee | 65 65 55 65 | | | 87/05 | 75
| | | | |
Texas | 70 70 70 70* | | day | 95/12 | 70
| 65 65 65 55 | | night | |
| 60 60 60 55 | | trucks | |
| 55 55 55 55 | | nig truck | |
| 50 50 50 50 | | school b. | |
| | | | |
Utah | 75 65 55 65 | | | 96/06 | 70
| | | | |
Virginia | 65 55 55 55 | | | 88/07 | 70
| | | | |
Vermont | 65 55 50 55 | | | 87/04 | 65
| | | | |
Washington | 70 70* 65* 60 | | | 96/03 | 70
| 60 60 60 60 | | trucks | |
| | | | |
Wisconsin | 65 55 55 55 | | | 87/06 | 70
| | | | |
W Virginia | 70 65 55 60 | | | 97/08 | 70
| | | | |
Wyoming | 75 65 65 60 | | | 95/12 | 75
| | | | |
* For Montana: Daytime only, 55 non-interstate/65 interstate night limit
* For Any Other State: Kind of, see the Detailed List for more info
Notes:
00 = A reasonable & prudent speed or no speed limit
?? = A change possible, but I am not sure what to
mayb = A possible change, but it is questionable
done = A done deal, just waiting for the signs to be posted
combinat. = combination vehicles
nig truck = night, trucks
school b. = school buses
----------------------------------------------------------------------
3) NEWS SUMMARY
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona (5/19/96)
* ADOT has raised parts of AZ 85 to 65. Many other primary two-lane
roads are under consideration as well, and the possibility of
urban interstate increases are very much alive.
California (5/05/97)
* Most two lane roads in California are now posted at 55 however
there are a few posted at 65.
Connecticut (4/2/97)
* A committee has approved a substitute for HB5262, which would
increase the speed limit to 60 mph on several of Connecticut's
roads, but not on I-95.
Florida (5/23/97)
* Some more portions of I-95 are going up from 55 to 65, and others
from 65 to 70.
Indiana (5/23/97)
* Several bills that would have raised the speed limit to 70 on
rural interstates and 65 on rural divided highways did not leave
the committees before the session was over. There is a special
session but the chances of the bills getting passed in this
session are slim.
Kansas (7/13/97)
* Some more speed limits are going up on I-70, I-635, and I-435.
Louisiana (7/02/97)
* A Bill to raise the Speed limit to 70 mph (from 65) on interstates
and 65 on other 4 lane (from 55) passed the House and Sent and the
Governor has signed it into law. Speed limits started to go up
after the forth of July and were all up by the middle of August.
Maine (9/6/97)
* A bill to raise parts of I-95 to 70, other parts of I-95 to 75,
and all of I-495 to 75 mph was soundly defeated. Another bill
which would have raised some urban interstates to 65 also failed.
Maryland (8/26/96)
* I-95 between the Capital and Baltimore Beltway was going to go to
65 mph as soon as road surface improvement project is done which
should be sometime in mid July however it look like the limit
increase has been stalled.
Minnesota (7/02/97)
* The Governor has decided to sign the speed limit bill in spite if
not getting enough money for troupers. Speed limit to 70 mph on
rural freeways, 65 on urban ones and 65 mph on other divided
highways. Speed limits started going up on Tuesday, June 24.
New Jersey (7/02/97)
* The two speed limit bills were combined into one committee
substitute bill (AB 731) and it easily passed the Assembly Law and
Public Safety committee by a 5-1 vote on Monday, June 9. This bill
will increases the speed limit on the state's interstates and toll
roads to 65 mph.
Ohio (9/6/97)
* A bill (HB 305) which would make truck speed limits the same as
cars was defeated 8-4 in a committee.
Oregon (7/13/97)
* The legislature has adjourned without passing a speed limit
increase. The Senate passed two bills but they both died in the
House Transportation Committee. One bill would have raised the
rural interstate limit to 75; another would have repealed speed
limits and let the transportation department set whatever limits
are deemed safe.
South Carolina (5/18/97)
* Several bills to raise the speed limit in NC failed to get
approval before the end of the 1997 legislative session (April 30,
1997).
Tennessee (5/18/97)
* With Gov. Don Sundquist applying pressure, state lawmakers have
slammed the brakes on legislation to raise the speed limit to 70
mph on Tennessee's interstate highways.
Texas (9/6/97)
* Cites now have the option of increasing the speed limits for urban
interstates from 55 to 70 mph under a new law signed into law.
Some speed limits in the Houston area will be increased this fall.
The bill which would have lowered speed limits from 70 to 60 on
some 2 lane roads was defeated.
West Virginia (9/6/97)
* From August 25 to around September 6, West Virginia speed limits
were increased from 65 to 70 on rural interstates, 55 to 65 on
most divided highways and 60 on some urban stretches.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
4) DETAILED LIST
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama (5/23/97)
* Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
* Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on July 20, 1987
* Effective May 21, 1996 the speed limit on Alabama rural
interstates is now 70. The new limit is based upon House Bill
4323, which also raises the speed limits on 4-lane highways from
55 to 65, and urban interstates to 65.
* The bill also includes a provision which prevents Interstate speed
limit enforcement by municipal agencies whose population is less
than 19000 (read "speed trap towns").
* Alabama State Legislature (No Bill Info)
Alaska
* Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
* Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on January 15, 1988
* Administrative action by state DOT & public safety is required to
raise the speed limit.
* Alaska State Legislature (Bill Text and Status, Current Law)
* State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/
Arizona (5/19/96)
* News Summary: ADOT has raised parts of AZ 85 to 65. Many other
primary two-lane roads are under consideration as well, and the
possibility of urban interstate increases are very much alive.
* Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 75
* Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 15, 1987
* Went to 75 mph on rural interstates on December 8, 1995
* ADOT has raised the speed limit on AZ 85 (between Buckeye and
Lukeville with exceptions through Gila Bend and Ajo) to 65 mph.
This is the first non- interstate to see an increased speed limit
in many years. Many other primary two-lane roads are under
consideration as well, and the possibility of urban interstate
increases are very much alive.
* State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.az.us/
* ALIS Online (Bill Text and Status, Current Law)
Arkansas (7/19/96)
* Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 75
* Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 12, 1987
* Administrative action by highway commission/department is required
to raise the speed limit.
* The Arkansas Highway Commission voted to wait six months before
deciding whether to raise the speed limit on state highways. Goal:
See how increased speeds affects fatality rates.
* The wait is over! Arkansas has announced that they will in the
middle of August of 96 implement a 70 miles an hour speed limit on
rural interstates for cars only. Trucks will remain at 65.
Decision came from the Highway Commission.
* Government Relations Information (Bill Text only)
California (5/05/97)
* News Summary: Most two lane roads in California are now posted at
55 however there are a few posted at 65.
* Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
* Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on May 28, 1987
* Raised many 55 Freeways to 65 on December 8, 1995
* Went to 70 mph on rural interstates on January 8, 1996
* Combination vehicles are limit to 55 mph.
* Due to the passage SB 848 all two lane roads will default to 55
mph as well as any other non-freeways unless otherwise posted This
is only a temporary bill, designed to avoid confusion and give
traffic engineers time to conduct there studies, that will be in
effect only to January 1 of 97.
* Most two lane roads are now 55 however a there are a few posted at
65. Highway 1 from the San Mateo/Santa Cruz county line south for
a few miles, and most of U.S. 97 from I-5 north to Oregon line is
now posted at 65. There may be other posted at 65 near death
vally.
* Official California Legislative Information (Bill Text, Status and
Current Law)
* State DOT Site: http://www.dot.ca.gov/
* California is known for its Anti Speed Trap Laws. In Summary: To
use radar, the enforced facility (road, highway, etc) must have a
valid Speed Zone Survey, as your other correspondent noted and the
posted speed limit must correspond to that survey. In other words,
if the survey recommends a speed limit of 40 MPH, and the local
jurisdiction posts "30 MPH" signs, any ticket written should be
thrown out of court. "Airplane surveillance" tickets are illegal
in California. (Ref: {ca-speed})
Colorado (2/03/97)
* Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
* Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 10, 1987
* Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
* In the 1996 legislative session SB 78 has been introduced which
includes a provision limiting trucks to 55 mph including the 75mph
interstates. Separate truck speed limits are a hazard to everyone.
* Colorado Governor Roy Romer signed into law 75 MPH maximum speed
limit on Friday, April 26, 1996. (HB 1069) Specifically, the law
permits the state highway department to increase speeds at their
discretion. So far as I know the law puts no restrictions on what
roads will get what speeds. So this is really a motorists bill;
the traffic engineers, not bureaucrats make the decisions. Count
on long stretches of interstate (I-70, I-25, I-76) getting raised
to 75, particularly in eastern Colorado. Increases are supposed to
be posted around Memorial Day of 1996.
* Apparently all other highways are now at 65 (with 2 and 4 lanes)
* Colorado State Legislature Information (Bill Status but no Text)
Connecticut (4/2/97)
* News Summary: A committee has approved a substitute for HB5262,
which would increase the speed limit to 60 mph on several of
Connecticut's roads, but not on I-95.
* Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 60
* Never did adopted the 65 mph speed limit
* Has a 2 Lane Limit speed limit of 50 mph.
* Administrative action by state traffic commission is required to
raise the speed limit. Five bills have been introduced to raise
the maximum speed limit to 65 mph: HB5255, HB5262, HB6439, SB118,
and SB162.
* A committee has approved a substitute for HB5262, which would
increase the speed limit to 60 mph on several of Connecticut's
roads, but not on I-95. A state study stated the limit on I-95
should remain 55 mph because of heavy traffic and dense population
along the highway.
* The House passed HB5262 by a vote of 96-50. The bill would allow
the State Traffic Commission to increase the speed limit on
qualified highways to 65 mph. Currently Connecticut is one of only
three states (in addition to New Jersey and Hawaii) that still has
a maximum limit of 55 mph.
* Unfortunately the Senate voted 27-9 to kill the bill on the last
day of this session, June 4.
* A survey of the state's AAA members found 72 percent favor
increasing the speed limit. AAA has asked the legislature to
increase the limit to 60 or 65 mph.
* A study by the state Department of Transportation shows 225 miles
of Connecticut roads are physically suited for 60 and 65 mph speed
limits. Despite this, the governor opposes raising the speed
limit.
* The legislature meets through June 4.
* State DOT Site: http://www.ctstateu.edu/state/trans.html
* Connecticut [Unofficial] General Assembly Information (No Bill
Info Yet)
Delaware (2/18/97)
* Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 60
* Not eligible for the 65 mph speed limit.
* Has a 2 Lane Limit speed limit of 50 mph.
* Administrative action by state DOT was required to raise the speed
limit.
* In early January 1996, The Delaware Department of Transportation,
after a study that began in November announced a 65 mile per hour
limit for Delaware Rt., Dover -Smyrna Bypass and I-495 near
Wilmington to take effect Jan. 12, 1996. The posting of signs was
delayed until today 1/26/97 because of the weather. The 65 mile
per hour limit is the highest posted limit Delaware has EVER had.
The higher limit was rejected for I-95 due to "congestion". They
will re- examine the issue in one year so see if the new limit
caused more accidents. For some reason they did not realize that
the higher limit might just REDUCE congestion on heavily traveled
I-95. The other 4 lane roads will remain at 55 for the time being.
* (2/18/97) According to Denise Gregory of the Delaware Department
of Transportation saying that legislation on further speed limit
increases are soon approaching for the First State.
* Delaware's State Government (No Leg Info Yet)
Florida (5/23/97)
* News Summary: Some more portions of I-95 are going up from 55 to
65, and others from 65 to 70.
* Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
* Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 29, 1987
* Administrative action by state DOT is required to raise the speed
limit.
* Florida law allows increases to 70 mph on case-by-case basis
* Effective April 8th, 1996 the speed limit on I-10 between
Pensacola and Jacksonville in Florida was raised to 70 mph
* Other rural Interstate highways and rural portions of the Florida
Turnpike will be posted at 70 mph by end of May. Florida DOT also
says no speed limit increases are planned for urban sections of
Interstates and the Turnpike, particularly in Dade and Broward
counties. Some four-lane divided highways will also go to 65 by
the end of May of 96.
* Effective May 28, 1996 the following South Florida highways in
Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties will have increased speed
limits:
I-75 from the Palmetto Expressway in Dade to Alligator Alley in
Broward: 65 mph to 70.
Alligator Alley: 65 mph to 70.
The Homestead Extension of the Florida Turnpike from mile marker
11, near Old Cutler Road, to mile marker 27, just north of the
Dolphin Expressway in Dade County: 55 mph to 60.
U.S. 27 in Broward: 55 mph to 65.
State Road 80 in western Palm Beach County from Royal Palm Beach
Boulevard to Belle Glade: 55 to 65 mph
* On May 22, 1997, in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Florida, the
speed limit on I-95 was raised from 55 to 65 mph; this increase is
applicable to all of I-95 in Broward County, but in Palm Beach
County, the speed limit will remain 55 mph on I-95 from Linton
Boulevard in Delray Beach to Northlake Road in West Palm Beach
until current construction projects are completed. Also the 65 mph
limit on I-95 from PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach County to Ft.
Pierce in St. Lucie County was raised to 70 mph on May 22; these
speed limit changes were reported in today's edition (May 23,
1997) of the Miami Herald.
* The Florida Legislature's Home Page (Bill Text and Status, Current
Law)
* State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/
Georgia (12/17/96)
* Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
* Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on February 22, 1988
* Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
* Speed limits should have go 70 on rural interstates, 65 on urban
ones and 65 on other divided highways on July 1st, 1996 however on
July 1 only rural interstes went up. The urban speed was to go to
65, but the TV reports say that will stay at 55 "for the time
being". DOT is also still trying to determine specifically which
parts of which 4-lane divided state roads will go up. That is on a
case by case basis.
* Georgia DOT is raising limits on December 17, 1996 from 55 to 65
on segments of I-75 in Cobb, Cherokee, Bartow, Henry and Clayton
Counties; I-85 in Gwinnett, Coweta, and Fulton Counties; I-575 in
Cobb and Cherokee Counties; I-675 in Henry, Clayton and DeKalb
Counties; I-20 in Douglas, Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, Rockdale, and
Newton Counties; as well as major parts of GA 4, 6, 316, 365, 400,
and 515. The limits should be going up starting December 17.
* DOT engineers have been studying roads around the state and
recommending increased speeds on some. This is the first round,
and the study continues. Many rural four-lane roads are under
consideration.
* The speed limit bill was attached to a bill tightening seat belt
laws. This bill was passed on the last day of the legislative
session.
* Georgia Online Network (No Leg Info Yet)
* State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.ga.us/
Hawaii
* Has a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
* Never did adopted the 65 mph speed limit.
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