Two states, North Dakota and Montana, have enacted changes to their speed limit rules. These updates aim to improve roadway conditions while addressing safety and efficiency. Speed limit revisions remain an ongoing discussion in statehouses across the country.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) advocates for uniform speed limits across vehicles, citing that uniformity promotes safer roadways. However, the Association does not push for a specific speed limit.
North Dakota
North Dakota has officially raised speed limits on its interstates with Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s recent signing of House Bill 1298. The measure increases the speed limit for all vehicles from 75 mph to 80 mph on Interstates 29 and 94.
Gov. Armstrong stated that the new limits would align North Dakota with neighboring states. South Dakota permits 80 mph for all vehicles, while Montana allows passenger cars up to 80 mph but restricts trucks to 70 mph.
During legislative debates, there was concern about uniform speed limits for cars and trucks. Rep. Mike Schatz shared reservations, noting that many trucking fleets limit vehicle speeds to 60 or 65 mph. He suggested a differential speed limit similar to Montana’s policy might be more suitable.
On the other hand, Rep. Eric Murphy referenced studies indicating the 85th-percentile speed on the state’s interstates is between 82 and 83 mph. He supported the change, stating, “The reality is people are going 82 or 83. I will make the supposition that, frankly, people aren’t going to go faster than that because that’s where they feel safe. I think the 80-mph speed limit is a good idea.”
Rep. Ben Koppelman added that increasing the speed limit by five mph doesn’t necessarily mean drivers will go faster. “Just because the speed limit is five mph faster doesn’t mean the prevailing speed will be,” he said.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (ND DOT) plans to implement the speed increase strategically, starting with areas that can easily accommodate the higher limits. Other sections may require minor upgrades. Additionally, variable speed limits will be introduced in select locations to address environmental factors like high winds, rain, or icy conditions, which often lead to truck-related disruptions.
“If you ask Highway Patrol, ‘What’s the biggest risk on the interstates?’ Believe it or not, it’s not 75 or 80 mph, and it’s not passenger vehicles. It’s actually big rigs … that either veer off the road, jackknife, whatever, due to high wind, rain, or ice,” said Koppelman. Allowing variable speed limits would give the state better tools to mitigate such issues.
Montana
Montana’s newly signed House Bill 312 modifies speed limits on a specific stretch of U.S. 287 in the state’s south-central region. Under the new law, daytime speed limits for passenger vehicles increase to 75 mph, while nighttime limits increase to 70 mph. Both changes represent a five mph increase from the previous limits. Speed limits for trucks, however, remain unchanged at 65 mph for both day and night.
This adjustment creates a 10 mph speed differential during the day and a five mph differential at night for passenger vehicles overtaking other vehicles, including trucks.
The Montana Department of Transportation (Montana DOT) identified this portion of U.S. 287 as the ideal candidate for updated speed limits due to its roadway design and traffic patterns. According to Montana DOT, this change simplifies passing maneuvers, making travel conditions safer and smoother. Future revisions might extend to additional roadways depending on the outcomes observed here.
By introducing these changes, North Dakota and Montana aim to balance efficiency and safety on their highways, ensuring optimal conditions for passengers and commercial vehicles.
Source: Land Line
