Changes regarding the speed limit allowed on multi-lane highways are about to affect another North American state. It took two attempts until the state government was able to approve the new bill that turned into a law last week. As a result, after August 1st, the new limit will be set to 80 mph on interstate highways following the changes applied for the other two neighboring states, which also increased the velocity allowed on their highways. Besides being celebrated by residents, the changes also provoked concerns as the fines for driving over the speed limit will also increase on the same date.
Follow the lead: another state is about to increase the speed limit on its highways
The speed limit on interstate highways has always been a concern for the governments of various states in the United States, as there is no national law about speed limits. With speed or aggressive driving representing the cause of a significant rate of car crashes with fatal injuries, these changes became a sensible topic between politicians and the population.
After two attempts to pass the new legislation, another North American state is about to allow legal speeds of 80 mph on its multi-lane highway, seeking the same solutions as two of its three neighboring states. According to the new bill, which was signed into law last week, the changes regarding speed limit go into effect on August 1st. Keeping in mind the concerns about aggressive driving, the fines for speeding on highways are also expected to increase.
With the speed limits usually ranging from 55 mph to 80 mph on highways in most of the US, except in one unique state, North Dakota became the newest state to increase the speed limit to 80 mph on its interstate highways. The decision is aligned with the changes deployed by two nearby states: South Dakota and Montana, which already have 80 mph set as a limit. The third neighbouring state, Minnesota, has a 70 mph limit on rural and interstate highways.
Some fear that the changes could improve the number of fatal crashes
The new law assigned by Governor Kelly Armstrong on May 5th passed with a clear majority, despite the concerns, becoming part of HB 1298 in the North Dakota Legislature. Some said it is a reflection of the previous maximum limit, which was 75 mph, but according to The Driver, the increase is a way to follow the speed most drivers are already going. But diving into an analysis, it may reflect a careful study of nearby states which already implemented the increase in previous years.
Fines for driving above the speed limit should increase as a prevention measure
Among the changes to the speed limit in North Dakota, the new legislation oversees some modifications to the fine for speeding on highways. For drivers caught speeding on highways with a speed limit of 65 mph or more, the fine applied will be $20 or $5 for each mile per hour (mph) over the limit.
On other roads, it will be between $3 and $20 for each mph. The drivers are also expected to pay an additional fine of $20 for violations equal to or above 16 mph over the limit.
According to the government, it was a reasonable solution
In a statement provided by Governor Kelly Armstrong, it was said that the changes, which will be applied on August 1st, are a way to keep North Dakota aligned with the nearby states. “This bill strikes a reasonable balance by aligning North Dakota’s interstate speed limit with two of our three neighboring states and increasing fines as a deterrent to speeding”. On the other hand, another state in the US recently introduced a new bill to lower the speed limit to 50 mph on its interstate highways.