Latest news with #GovernorKellyArmstrong
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
This State Is Raising Its Speed Limits, but There's a Catch
Speeding is one of the most commonly ticketed traffic infractions in the United States, as the dangers of this act on our public highways shouldn't be underestimated. According to the latest publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding contributed to 29% of traffic fatalities in 2023, a year in which 11,775 people fell victim to a speeding-related death. Although driving at the speed limit can be likened to a foreign concept or a crazy idea for some drivers out on the road, one state recently gave some relief for those with a lead-lined foot on the accelerator. However, it will also lay down the law and fines on those who abuse the new privileges they have been awarded. On Monday, May 5, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong signed a bill into law that would effectively raise the maximum speed limits on interstate highways from 75 to 80 miles per hour beginning on August 1. According to a report by the North Dakota Monitor, House Bill 1298 took two tries to pass in North Dakota's state House of Representatives last Thursday, before it passed in the state Senate on Friday morning. The bill was met with skepticism by some lawmakers, who argued that North Dakota could see a rise in serious crashes. However, earlier the same week, North Dakota state Rep. Dan Ruby, the chair of the state's House Transportation Committee, noted that the state's Department of Transportation and law enforcement members in the state did not oppose the bill and that neighboring states Montana and South Dakota have maximum speed limits of 80 mph on their interstates. South Dakota, in particular, saw no noticeable jump in crashes or fatalities since it raised its speed limits on most limited-access highways in 2015. 'People are driving this speed now. I don't think they're going to jump up to a higher speed,' Ruby said. 'We're going to be matching the states around us.' Though the speed limit is increasing, the bill also states that the fines for speeding infractions will rise accordingly. On highways with speed limits of 65 mph or higher, speeding fines will be raised to $20 or $5 for every mile per hour over the limit, whichever is greater. The same goes for offenders travelling on roads with lower speed limits, but the every-mile provision of the fines table is adjusted to just $3 for every mile per hour over, whichever is greater. In both these road categories, drivers going more than 16 mph over the limit will have $20 added onto their fine. In addition, speeding in areas like school zones and construction zones will also cost more. The fine for speeding in a construction zone with workers present will jump from $80 to $150. The passed law also included plans to install variable speed limit signs, which allow the authorities to change speed limits on the fly, based on driving conditions like traffic, weather, or road construction. In a statement, North Dakota's Governor Armstrong sees the increased speed limit to that of its neighbors and the new set of fines as a balanced compromise for the state's motorists. '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," Armstrong said in a statement. Come August 1, North Dakota will become the ninth U.S. state to have a speed limit of at least 80 mph, following its neighbor South Dakota, as well as Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. I find it appropriate, given that most of these states are vast, traffic-sparse states where city-to-city travel means driving long distances. But as car technology advances toward tech that further separates control of the car from the driver, I wonder what the future holds for legislation affecting motorists like this. I hope those traveling 80 miles per hour actively know that they're doing 80 miles per hour.
Motor 1
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Another State Joins the 80-MPH Speed Limit Club
Those old enough to remember the national 55-mph speed limit have another reason to rejoice. North Dakota will become the next US state to allow legal speeds of 80 mph on stretches of multi-lane highway. And if you're ever been to North Dakota, you know it's a welcome change. The state's legislature passed the new bill last week and was signed into law by Governor Kelly Armstrong on May 5. It passed with a clear majority but not an overwhelming vote—the bill was actually brought back for a second pass after failing a vote earlier in the day, according to the North Dakota Monitor . Details regarding fines (which are higher) and allowing for flexible limits in certain areas were apparently part of the follow-up discussion. There were also some concerns about higher speed limits leading to more crashes. North Dakota's previous maximum limit was 75 mph, so bumping it an extra 5 mph isn't exactly earth-shattering. Moreover, The Drive points out that the increase better reflects the speed most drivers were already going. The Legislature turned to its southern neighbor for some real-world statistics. South Dakota raised its speed limit on most limited-access highways to 80 mph in 2015. In the years since, there's been no appreciable change in crashes or fatalities. The 80-mph limit will apply to multi-lane highways. Presumably, that means Interstate 94 and Interstate 29, the only major highways in North Dakota. I-94 runs east-west through the southern portion of the state, while I-29 reaches north-south in the far eastern region near Minnesota. The law also seeks variations on that speed limit depending on conditions. It's likely the speed limit will also remain lower around larger cities. The new limit goes into effect August 1. In addition to South Dakota, Montana on the state's western border has an 80-mph speed limit. Minnesota, which borders North Dakota to the east, still sits at 70 mph. More On Speed: Virgina Wants Reckless Drivers to Install In-Car Speed Limiters Gavin Newsom Just Killed California's Pursuit of Annoying In-Car Speeding Alerts Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Argus Leader Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
