6 states are proposing new speed limit rules

States across the country are actively pursuing changes to speed limit rules, with multiple legislations already under consideration in the early weeks of the new year.

In Michigan, House Bill aims to address perceived “flaws” in how local roadway speed limits are set. The bill proposes flexibility in rounding down the 85th percentile speed, allowing local officials to set speeds within 5 mph of the 85th percentile.

New Jersey’s Senate Bill focuses on using the 85th percentile formula to set speed limits on limited access highways.

In New York, identical bills propose increasing the speed limit for all vehicles from 65 mph to 70 mph on interstate highways and limited access roads.

North Carolina’s House Bill seeks to raise the speed limit to 75 mph on certain roadways, provided it is deemed “reasonable and safe” by the state DOT.

Over the past year, Montana and Texas have revised speed limit rules.

As states continue to explore speed limit adjustments, these legislative efforts aim to strike a balance between traffic safety and the evolving dynamics of modern roadways.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association emphasizes the importance of allowing all vehicles to travel at the same speed for safer roadways, without advocating for a specific speed limit.