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Monday, February 10, 2025

Speed Limit Changes Pending

 

Speed limit changes are in the process of being finalized in five states including Arkansas, Kentucky, Montana, Oklahoma, West Virginia. Lawmakers are hoping to boost speed limits in some states, where in others, legislators are trying to eliminate speed limit differentials for cars and trucks.p

Arkansas

Governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson, has recently signed into law a bill that is intended to increase speed limits on certain highways throughout the state. The bill will also reestablish a speed differential in the state.

This year’s updates mandate a 75 mph speed limit on freeways outside of urban areas; however, large trucks will have to maintain a 70 mph speed limit. On urban freeways, the speed limit will be set at 65 mph for all vehicles.

The changes will officially take effect in July 2020.

Kentucky

A new law in Kentucky will raise the speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph for all vehicles on Interstate 165 and on the entirety of the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway Extension.

Montana

A bill that has been approved by Montana Legislature would raise truck speeds on interstate highways from 65 mph to 70 mph throughout the day. Truck speeds on noninterstate highways would be set at 65 mph for all hours of the day.

State highways would be limited to 60 mph during the day and 55 mph at night.

Oklahoma

A new law in Oklahoma, HB1071, allows the speed limit on the turnpike system to be raised to 80 mph, up from 75 mph, and also allows the maximum posted speed limit on rural interstate highways to be raised from 70 to 75 mph.

West Virginia

West Virginia House Concurrent Resolution 32 gives the state Department of Transportation authority to increase the speed limit on interstate highways from 70 mph to 75 mph. The measure also grants the agency authority to make changes “where appropriate” on interstates.

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