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Subject: Speed Limits: States' Attitudes (4/18/96) - FAQ Version
Date: 18 Apr 1996 23:43:43 GMT
Summary: What states new speed limits will be now that the NMSL is gone, the full story of any possible increase, what their limits use to be and more!

Posting-Frequency: Every other thursday
Last-posted: 4/12/1996
URL: http://www.clark.net/pub/kevina/sl/sl-attud/index.html


This is the FAQ Version of my States' Attitudes Towards Speed Limits lists
at my Reasonable Drivers Unanimous site (http://www.clark.net/pub/kevina/sl/).

It consisted chiefly of two parts a Summary Chart and a Detailed List.

The Summary Chart is designed to show the general attitude of states
toward speed limits and what the current post-NMSL speed limit is.
However, it can be quite confusing.  If this is the case skip the chart
and go directly to the Detailed List.

The Detailed List shows a detailed breakdown of every states attitude
toward speed limits in plain english. This is the place were you can
find the full story of any possible increases.  If you wish to have
access to the links presented see the html version.

I am trying to keep this information as up-to-date as possible so if
you know of any New Speed Limits, when it will take effect, and/or the
story of any possible increases for your state or any other state
please let me know at kevina@clark.net; 7962 Helmart Dr., Laurel MD
20723.  Be sure to include how you found out about the information.
With out it I have no way to judge how valid it is.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS:

  1) Changes Since Last Posting
  2) Summary Chart
  3) Detailed List
  4) Summary Summary
  5) Credits Etc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
2) CHANGES SINCE LAST POSTING
----------------------------------------------------------------------

(Changes stared indicate a significant change.  Not all non-significant 
will show up in the Summary Chart)

4/19/96: MN*, FL, CA, WI
4/17/96: WV
4/14/96: KS, NE*, UT, WY
4/13/96: RI
4/12/96: RI*


----------------------------------------------------------------------
2) SUMMARY CHART
----------------------------------------------------------------------

A ? by a field means that I or the provider is unsure of it.
A \ on the dates means I or the provider is unsure of the exact date.
A ~ After the New Speed Limits means I or the provider is unsure what type
    of roads it will apply for.
A ' After a Speed Limits means the special limit applies for all classes of
    roads.
A Speed Limit in "()" means that it is being considered
A Speed Limit in "()?" means that there is a chance of it happening but
    its not likely.
A Speed Limit in "[]" means that the new limit has yet to go into effect.
A date for the post-NMSL limits means that it is a done deal.  No date means
    I am unsure.
A %% Means the 85th percentile rule
A 00 Means no speed limit
A SD = See Detailed list (click on the states's name)
Any name in {} is a filename at my site (http://www.clark.net/pub/kevina/sl/)
    add .txt or .html.
A "Study" means a study is underway
A "Pos leg" means legislative action is possible or it is being considered
A "Pos" means the state is considering increases

For a detailed breakdown of any state click on its name.

            /--Action(s) required to raise speed limits
            |
            |    /--What the new limits will be now that mandate is gone
            |    |  (Rural Interstate/Divided/UnDivided//Urban Interstate)
            |    |
            |    |             /--What the old interstate daytime speed limits
            |    |             |  were before the mandate.
            |    |             |
            |    |             |       /--Date the New Limit goes into effect/
            |    |             |       |  Truck Weight
            |    |             |       |        /--Date the 65 went into effect
            |    |             |       |        |
State      |a|Post-NMSL      |Pre-55|Change |65 When| Notes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama    |g|(70/65//65)    | 70   |       | 87/07 |
Alaska     |d|               | 70   |       | 88/01 |
Arizona    | | 75            | 75   | 95/12 | 87/04 |
Arkansas   |h|(Study)        | 75   |       | 87/04 |
California | | 70/55/55//65  | 70   | 96/01 | 87/05 | Anti Speed Trap (SD)
           | | 55'c          |      |       |       |
Colorado   |l|(75~)          | 70   |       | 87/04 |
Conn.      |T|(65)           | 60   |       | NOT!  |
Delaware   |D| 65            | 60   | 96/01 | N ELG |
Florida    |D| 70            | 70   | 96/04 | 87/04 |
           | | (--/65)       |      |       |       |
Georgia    |l|[70/65//65]    | 70   | 96/07 | 88/02 |
Hawaii     |l|               | 70   |       | NOT!  |
Idaho      |l|[75/65~]       | 70   | 96/05 | 87/05 |
Illinois   |D| --/65/55      | 70   | 95\12 | 87/04 |
Indiana    |l|[70/65]        | 70   | 96/07 | 87/06 |
Iowa       |l|(70/65)        | 75   |       | 87/05 |
Kansas     | | 70/70/65      | 75   | 96/03 | 87/05 | Was 80 on Turnpike (SD)
Kentucky   |l|(70/65/60//65) | 70   |       | 87/06 |
Louisiana  |h|(70~)          | 70   |       | 87/04 |
Maine      |D|               | 70   |       | 87/06 |
Mass.      |l| 65/65//65     | 65   | 96/01 | 92/01 |
Maryland   |l|(//65)         | 70   |       | 95/07 |
Michigan   |l|(70/--/65//65) | 70   |       | 87/11 |
           | |(55't)         |      |       |       |
Minnesota  |t|(--/65)        | 65   |       | 87/06 |
Miss.      |t| 70            | 70   | 96/03 | 87/04 |
           | |[--/70/65]     |      |
Missouri   | | 70/70/60//60  | 70   | 96/03 | 87/05 |
Montana    | | 00/00/00d     | None*| 95/12 | 87/04 | $5 Ticket (SD)
           | | 65/55/55n     |      |       |       |
           | | 65/60/60t     |      |  8000 |       |
Nebraska   | |[75]           | 75   | 96/07 | 87/04 |
Nevada     | | 75/70~//65    | None | 95/12 | 87/04 | Resisted 55 (SD)
N. Hamp.   |g|(//65)         | 70   |       | 87/04 |
New Jersey |a|(Pos Leg)      | 60*  |       | NOT!  |
New Mexico |h| 75            | 70   | 96\02 | 87/04 |
New York   |l|               | 65   |       | 95/08 |
N Carolina |D| //65          | 70   | 95/12 | 87/08 |
           | | (70~)         |      |       |       |
N Dakota   |l|(Pos Leg)      | 75   |       | 87/04 |
Ohio       |l|[--/65//65]    | 70   |       | 87/07 |
           | | 55't          |      |  8000 |       |
           | |(75)?          |      |       |       |
Oklahoma   | | 70/70/65//60d | 70   | 95/12 | 87/04 |
           | | 70/65/55//60n |      |       |       |
           | | 60/60/55//60t |      |       |       |
           | | 55/55/55//55y |      |       |       |
           | | 65/50~s       |      |       |       |
           | |(75/--/65//65) |      |       |       |
Oregon     |D|(75~)          | 75   |       | 87/09 |
Penn.      |l|               | 65   |       | 95/07 |
R. Island  |T|[65]           | 60   | 96/05 | NOT!  |
S Carolina |D|(70/60//65)    | 70   |       | 87/08 |
           | |(75)?          |      |       |       |
S Dakota   | | 75/65~        | 75   | 96/04 | 87/04 |
Tennessee  | |(70~)          | 75   |       | 87/05 |
Texas      | | 70/70/70d     | 70   | 95/12 | 87/05 |
           | | 65/65/65n     |      |       |       |
           | | 60/60/60t     |      |       |       |
           | | 55/55/55y     |      |       |       |
           | | 50's          |      |       |       |
Utah       |l| 75/65~?       | 70   | 96/02 | 87/05 |
Vermont    |T|               | 65   |       | 87/04 |
Virginia   |l|               | 70   |       | 88/07 |
Washington |D| 70//60        | 70   | 96/03 | 87/04 |
           | |(60't)         |      | 10000 |       |
W Virginia |h|               | 70   |       | 87/04 |
Wisconsin  |l|(--/65)        | 70   |       | 87/06 |
Wyoming    | | 75/65/65//75  | 75   | 95/12 | 87/05 |


* For Montana: Daytime only, 55 non-interstate/65 interstate night limit
* For New Jersey: The Atlantic City Expressway was 70 mph and the
  southmost 80 miles the Garden State Parkway was posted at 65.

Actions required to raise speed limits:
a  administrative action
d  administrative action by state DOT & public safety
D  administrative action by state DOT
g  administrative action by governor
h  administrative action by highway commission/department
l  legislative action
t  administrative action by transportation commissioners
T  administrative action by state traffic commission

Post NMSL Speed Limits:
d  daytime speed limit
n  night speed limit
c  combination vehicles speed limit
t  truck speed limit
   may include combination vehicles
y  truck night speed limit
s  school bus speed limit

   

----------------------------------------------------------------------
3) DETAILED LIST
----------------------------------------------------------------------
   
   Alabama (3/18/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on July 20, 1987
     * The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill designed to
       increase the basic interstate highway speed limit from 65 to 75,
       but adopted an amendment cutting the new limit back to 70. Gov.
       Fob James and Gene Mitchell, director of the state Department of
       Public Safety, both said earlier they would endorse the 70 mph
       limit, but not the 75 proposed in the original bill, sponsored by
       Sen. Lowell Barron. (The bill would also have set the speed limits
       at 70 on divided highways and 65 on others) D-Fyffe.At the same
       time the Senate committee was acting, 4/3/96, the House Highway
       Safety Committee was approving a similar bill sponsored by Rep.
       Ron Johnson, D-Sylacauga. Johnson's bill also sets a new basic
       limit of 70 on most interstates and 65 for urban interstates and
       for four-lane highways divided by a median. The limit would be 55
       on two-lane state and federal roads.
     * Alabama State Legislature (No Bill Info)
       
   Alaska
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on January 15, 1988
     * Administrative action by state DOT & public safety is required to
       raise the speed limit.
     * Some expansion of 65 mph expected
     * Alaska State Legislature (Bill Text and Status, Current Law)
     * State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/
       
   Arizona (2/28/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 75
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 15, 1987
     * Went to 75 mph on rural interstates on December 8, 1995
     * State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.az.us/
     * ALIS Online (Bill Text and Status, Current Law)
       
   Arkansas
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 75
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 12, 1987
     * Administrative action by highway commission/department is required
       to raise the speed limit.
     * The Arkansas Highway Commission voted to wait six months before
       deciding whether to raise the speed limit on state highways. Goal:
       See how increased speeds affects fatality rates.
     * Government Relations Information (Bill Text only)
       
   California (4/18/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on May 28, 1987
     * Raised many 55 Freeways to 65 on December 8, 1995
     * Went to 70 mph on rural interstates on January 8, 1996
     * Combination vehicles are limit to 55 mph.
     * Due to the passage SB 848 all two lane roads will default to 55
       mph as well as any other non-freeways unless otherwise posted.
       This is only a temporary bill, designed to avoid confusion and
       give traffic engineers time to conduct there studies, that will be
       in effect only to January 1 of next year.
     * Offical California Legislative Information (Bill Text, Status and
       Current Law)
     * State DOT Site: http://www.dot.ca.gov/
     * California is known for its Anti Speed Trap Laws. In Summary: To
       use radar, the enforced facility (road, highway, etc) must have a
       valid Speed Zone Survey, as your other correspondent noted and the
       posted speed limit must correspond to that survey. In other words,
       if the survey recommends a speed limit of 40 MPH, and the local
       jurisdiction posts "30 MPH" signs, any ticket written should be
       thrown out of court. "Airplane surveillance" tickets are illegal
       in California. (Ref: {ca-speed})
       
   Colorado (2/28/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 10, 1987
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * The full Colorado House passed a bill to raise the state speed
       limit to 75.
     * House Bill 1069 would raise speed limits to 75. It sailed through
       the House 55-9 and awaits a vote in the Senate. The bill also
       calls for other highways and roads to be studied for possible
       speed-limit changes.
     * Colorado State Legislature Information (Bill Status but no Text)
       
   Connecticut
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 60
     * Never did adopted the 65 mph speed limit
     * Administrative action by state traffic commission is required to
       raise the speed limit.
     * May go to 65 mph on rural Interstate
     * State DOT Site: http://www.ctstateu.edu/state/trans.html
     * Connecticut [Unofficial] General Assembly Information (No Bill
       Info Yet)
       
   Delaware
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 60
     * Not eligible for the 65 mph speed limit
     * Administrative action by state DOT was required to raise the speed
       limit.
     * In early January 1996, The Delaware Department of Transportation,
       after a study that began in November announced a 65 mile per hour
       limit for Delaware Rt. 1(Dover -Smyrna Bypass and I-495 near
       Wilmington to take effect Jan. 12, 1996. The posting of signs was
       delayed until today 1/26/96 because of the weather. The 65 mile
       per hour limit is the highest posted limit Delaware has EVER had.
       The higher limit was rejected for I-95 due to "conjestion". They
       will re- examine the issue in one year so see if the new limit
       caused more accidents. For some reason they did not realize that
       the higher limit might just REDUCE conjestion on heavily traveled
       I-95. The other 4 lane roads will remain at 55 for the time being.
     * Delaware's State Government (No Leg Info Yet)
       
   Florida (4/18/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 29, 1987
     * Administrative action by state DOT is required to raise the speed
       limit.
     * Florida law allows increases to 70 mph on case-by-case basis
     * Effective April 8th, the speed limit on I-10 between Pensacola and
       Jacksonville in Florida was raised to 70 mph
     * Other rural Interstate highways and rural portions of the Florida
       Turnpike will be posted at 70 mph by end of May. Florida DOT also
       says no speed limit increases are planned for urban sections of
       Interstates and the Turnpike, particularly in Dade and Broward
       counties, but some four- lane non-Interstate divided highways may
       have unspecified speed limit increases (probably 65 as that's what
       the law allows)
     * The Florida Legislature's Home Page (Bill Text and Status, Current
       Law)
     * State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/
       
   Georgia (4/6/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on February 22, 1988
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * On July 1 the speed limit will go up to 70 rural and 65 urban, and
       speeds on divided state roads to 65. This was attached to a bill
       tightening seat belt laws. This bill was passed on the last day of
       the legislative session.
     * Georgia Online Network (No Leg Info Yet)
     * State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.ga.us/
       
   Hawaii
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Never did adopted the 65 mph speed limit
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.ga.us/
     * Hawai`i State Governmene (No Leg Info Yet)
       
   Idaho (3/14/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on May 2, 1987
     * Legislative action was required to raise the speed limit.
     * On May 1, Speed Limits Will go to 75 mph on Interstates and 65 on
       state highways. (Thanks to S1432)
     * Idaho Legislature (Bill Text and Status)
     * State DOT Site: http://www.state.id.us/itd/itdhmpg.htm
       
   Illinois (3/14/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 29, 1987
     * Administrative action by state DOT was required to raise the speed
       limit.
     * Many 55 roads went to 65 on December 8, 1995.
     * However the governor signed a bill setting two-lanes at 55 shortly
       after. He made it clear that 55 is the absolute caps for these
       roads.
     * Governor opposes changes but may support raising truck limits
       equal to car limits (truck limit 55)
     * Illinois General Assembly (No Bill Info)
     * State DOT Site: http://dot.state.il.us/
       
   Indiana (3/22/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on June 1, 1987
     * Legislative action was required to raise the speed limit.
     * On July 1, 1996 the speed limit will go to 70 mph on interstates
       and 65 on divided state highways thanks to the passage of House
       Bill 1261. This bill will unfortunally also make Photo radar
       legal.
     * Indiana General Assembly (Bill Text and Status, Current Law)
     * State DOT Site: http://source.isd.state.in.us/acin/dot/
       
   Iowa (4/10/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 75
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on May 12, 1987
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * As passed by the House, SF 2140 raises speed limits on more roads
       than the Senates version of the bill. The House raises speed
       limits from 65 mph to 70 mph on interstates and on all divided
       multi-lane highways from 55 mph to 65 mph. Motor trucks, at the
       urging of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, would still be
       required to drive 65 mph. In contrast the Senate version would
       only raise the speed limit to 65 and only on interstate
       "look-a-likes".
     * The Senate refused the House amendment. To send the bill to
       conference committee the House would have to bring up the bill and
       insist on its amendment. Or they could rescind from there
       amendment, settle for the senate plan and send the bill to the
       governor. According to Iowa Public radio this AM, the House
       majority leader, Brent Seigrest, says he is going to let the issue
       die for this session.
     * Iowa General Assembly (Bill Text and Status, Current Law)
       
   Kansas (3/18/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 75
     * The Kanasas Turnpike was once set a 80 mph but was then lowered to
       75 mph some time around 1970.
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on May 14, 1987
     * Kansas limits on March 21st went up to 70 on separated multilane
       highways (including interstates) and 60 on all other highways
       however they can be raised to 65 if it is deammed nessary based on
       a traffic study. With no day/night or car/truck limits. (House
       Bill 2602). The Interstates should be signed in 15 days, and other
       roads will be signed in 2-3 months from 3/13/96
     * This bill also prevents insurance companies to give surcharges and
       the DMV from suspending licenses if you're less than 10 over on an
       interstate, and less than 5 over on other roads. The state,
       however still gets your money.
     * INK Kansas Legislative Services (Bill text, Bill Status by Sub.
       Only)
     * State DOT Site: http://proto1.dot.state.ks.us/
       
   Kentucky (3/14/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on June 8, 1987
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * Bill SB 83, which passed the house and know goes to the senate,
       says The speed limit on highways in Kentucky shall be as follows:
       (1)Seventy (70) miles per hour on all interstates and four (4)
       lane limited access highways; (2)Sixty-five (65) miles per hour on
       two (2) lane limited access highways and four (4) lane highways
       that are not limited access highways; and (3)Sixty (60) miles per
       hour on all other highways.
     * Bill SB 291 extendes this to 65mph in urban interstates.
     * Kentucky Legislature Home Page (Bill text Only)
       
   Louisiana (4/4/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on May 9, 1987
     * Administrative action by highway commission/department is required
       to raise the speed limit.
     * On Thursday, March 28, the Louisiana House voted 73-26 to approve
       legislation sponsored by Representative Roy Brun, R-Shreveport,
       that authorizes the Transportation Secretary to raise the speed
       limits (to a maximum of 70 mph) in areas he deems appropriate. The
       legislation awaits "final approval" in the Senate. Since this is a
       "resolution," it does not require the governor's approval.
       Governor Foster has stated before that he is neutral on the issue.
       Rep. Brun said that the Transportation Secretary would be directed
       (by the legislation) to raise the speed limits within "normal and
       prudent guidelines."
     * Louisiana State Legislature (No Bill Info)
       
   Maine
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on June 12, 1987
     * Administrative action by state DOT is required to raise the speed
       limit.
     * No changes contemplated
     * Maine Legislative Guide (Selected Bill Info and Current Law)
       
   Maryland (4/6/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on July 1, 1995
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * Some 55 zones expected to go to 65 sometime this spring or summer
       including I-95 between the beltways.
     * Plans to increase beyond 65 mph unlikely
     * Maryland's Legislative Branch (No Bill Info)
     * State DOT Site:
       http://www.inform.umd.edu/UMS+State/MDResources/MDOT
       
   Massachusetts
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 65
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on January 5, 1992
     * Legislative action was required to raise the speed limit.
     * Effective January 29th, the speed limit will rise to 65 mph on
       over 400 miles of divided highways. Some affected routes are the
       entire Mass. Pike west of Route 128, and Interstate 190 between
       Worcester and Route 2 in Leicester.
     * The Great and General Court (Bill Status Only)
       
   Michigan
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on November 29, 1987
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * The Senate pased a bill for 70 mph on most interstates and 65 mph
       on two two laners.
     * The House passed a bill that would increae a limit to 65 mph on
       some urban interstates.
     * The Michigan Senate and House must agree on a single Bill before
       the legislation can be sent to the Governor. It appears that
       Governor Engler will sign a bill containing a 70 Speed Limit.
     * The 55 mph limit would still apply to trucks and buses
     * For more info see the Michigan Motorist News page but out by the
       Michigan Chapter of the National Motorists Association
     * Michigan Legislative Branch (No Bill Info)
     * State DOT Site: http://www.mdot.state.mi.us/
       
   Minnesota (4/18/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 65
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on June 17, 1987
     * Administrative action by transportation commissioners is required
       to raise the speed limit.
     * Both the House and Senate committees drop the idea of raising
       speed limits this for this year, the plan ran into opposition from
       all sides. The speed limit on rural interstates would have been
       increased to 70 mph, on urban interstates and other 4-lane divided
       highways to 65 mph, and on other 2 - lane highways under State
       jurisdiction to 65 mph during day time and 60 mph at night. No
       change would have made on highways under city or county
       jurisdiction.
     * However, a bill passed that will raise the speed limits to 65 on
       some (probably dived) rural highways. Gov. Carlson has two weeks
       from April 8th to decide if he will veto this bill. Carlson's
       hesitation is prompted in part because of the bill's lack of money
       for 40 more state troopers.
     * The Transportation Commissioner James Denn has the authority to
       change speed limits without legislative action. However, Denn says
       won't do it alone.
     * Minnesota State Legislature (Bill Text and Status, Current Law)
     * State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/main/mndot.html
       
   Mississippi (3/18/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 14, 1987
     * Administrative action by transportation commissioners was required
       to raise the speed limit.
     * On March 12, 1996 speed limits on Interstates went to 70 mph
       thanks to a bill signed into law on Fed 29, 1996. This bill also
       allows the Mississippi Transportation Commission to increase speed
       limits to 70 on four-lane highways and to 65 on other roads.
     * Mississppi State Gov. Home Pages (Doesn't appear to have Leg.
       Info)
       
   Missouri (3/18/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on May 1, 1987
     * Bill HB1047 was signed into law on March 13, 1996, this bill will
       set the speed limits as follows: 70 miles per hour on rural
       interstates and freeways; 65 miles per hour on four-lane divided
       expressways in rural areas; 60 miles per hour on interstate
       highways, freeways, or expressways within urbanized areas; 60
       miles per hour on two-lane numbered roads; and 55 miles per hour
       on two-lane lettered routes. The Highways and Transportation
       Commission may set the speed limit higher or lower than the
       uniform maximum speed limit if such is recommended by the
       Department of Highways and Transportation but not greater than 70
       mph.
     * Missouri General Assembly (Bill Summarys and Status)
       
   Montana
     * Had no Daytime Speed limit before the NMSL
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 16, 1987
     * Went to no daytime speed limit on December 8, 1995
     * Nightime speed limit of 65 mph for interstates, 55 for others
     * Truck (over 8,000 lbs) limit to 65mph on interstates and 60 on
       other roads.
     * Tripples held to 55
     * State DOT Site: http://192.100.54.138/
     * Montana Online (No Leg. Info)
     * Montana is known for its clever way around the NMSL when it was in
       effect. It had a $5 no points daytime "energy waste" speeding
       ticket. The nightime speed tax was and still is $70. As soon as
       the NMSL got repealed the went back to a "reasonable and prudent"
       limit. (Ref: {mt-law})
       
   Nebreska (4/14/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 75
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 27, 1987
     * On July 1, 1996 the speed limit on rural interstates will raise to
       75 mph thanks to the passage of Bill 901. There is a legislative
       effort to move up the effective date to June 1st
     * Nebraska Legislative Documents (Bill Text and Status, Current Law)
       
   Nevada (3/4/96)
     * Did not have any Speed Limit befor the NMSL
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 13, 1987
     * Went to 75 mph for rural interstates and 65 for urban ones
       December 8, 1995
     * The speed limit on I-15 between the CA state line and Las Vegas
       (the westernmost 35 miles of which is rural by any reasonable
       definition) is posted for 70mph. The speed limit on I-80 between
       the CA state line and Reno (this time only 13 miles, 12 of which
       are rural) is 65mph. These limits watch the limits CA has on those
       same freeways.
     * Went to 70 mph on other roads sometime after (not sure what type
       of roads this includes)
     * State of Nevada (Couldn't access site)
     * State DOT Site:
       http://www.nscee.edu/unlv/Research/centers/1994/page18.html
     * Nevada was the last state to give into the federaly imposed 55-mph
       limit in 1975 and was the first state to try to officially break
       it. In July of 1986 they upped the speed limit to 70 mph on a
       short stretch of I-80. They hoped that coupling the higher speed
       limit with a mandatory seat-belt requirment would induce the feds
       to exempt Nevase from the 55-mph restriction. No such luck. When
       the Federal Highway Administration promply announced a cutoff of
       road-bulding funds the state just as quickly backed of. But not
       without vowing to fight: the state filed a suite against the
       Federal Government, calling it a violation of states' rights!
       (Source: Time, July 13, 1986: p 27)
       
   New Hampshire
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 16, 1987
     * Administrative action by governor is required to raise the speed
       limit.
     * Some expansion of 65 mph segments
     * The New Hampshire General Court (No Leg. Info)
       
   New Jersey
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 60 for the most part.
     * The Atlantic City Expressway was 70 mph and parts of other
       expressways were 65
     * Never did adopted the 65 mph speed limit
     * Administrative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * Assemblyman Guy Gregg has introduced bills to raise the speed
       limit. (A-731 and A-732)
     * However the Governor opposes increases
     * New Jersey State 207th Legislature (No Bill Info)
       
   New Mexico (3/18/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 2, 1987
     * Administrative action by highway commission/department was
       required to raise the speed limit.
     * Went to 75 mph on interstates probably sometime in February.
     * State of New Mexico - 1996 Bill Locator (Bill Text and Status)
       
   New York
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 65
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on August 1, 1995
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * Changes require legislative approval
     * New York State Assembly (Bill Text and Status, Current Law)
       
   North Carolina (3/3/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on August 14, 1987
     * Administrative action by state DOT was required to raise the speed
       limit.
     * Increases to 70 likely, expansion of 65 mph zones underway.
     * State DOT Site: http://itre.uncecs.edu/dot/projmap.html
     * North Carolina General Assembly (Bill Info and Status)
       
   North Dakota (2/28/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 16, 1987
     * Legislature considering increase
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * Speed limits on the state's interstates could be raised to 70 mph
       for minimal cost, Gov. Schafer says. Raising the limit to 75 mph
       would cost about $1 million for guardrails and approaches.
     * North Dakota Legislative Branch (No Bill Info)
       
   Ohio (3/8/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on July 15, 1987
     * Legislative action was required to raise the speed limit.
     * On Feb 29, the Governor signed a bill allowing car speed limits to
       rise to 65 on freeways/interstates currently posted at 55. The
       Ohio DOT must complete its studies and post signs by June 28,
       1996, on Interstates and other freeways. ODOT has until March 25,
       1997, to implement 65-mph limits on other divided highways that
       are part of the National Highway System. The bad news is that
       freeways have not returned to their pre-1974 70-mph limits, plus
       the 55-mph truck limit was retained. The good news is that other
       divided highways will get 65-mph limits, even though they only had
       50-mph to 60-mph limits before the National Maximum Speed Limit
       was imposed in 1974.
     * Governor opposed to increases beyond 65. The Chairman of the Ohio
       House Transportation and Public Safety Committee, Rep. Samuel T.
       Bateman, Jr. would like to see 75 mph limits on rural interstates.
       It is not a guaranteed move however, since Bateman's counterpart
       in the Senate, Sen. Scott Oelslager, is not a supporter of higher
       limits and is sponsoring a bill to keep speed limits where they
       are now. Governor Voinovich does not support higher limits either.
       (Not sure on the chances of ohio going beyond 65 now that the
       above bill has passed)
     * State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/
     * State of Ohio Goverment (No Bill Info)
       
   Oklahoma (3/10/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 6, 1987
     * Went to 75mph on the turnpike, 70 mph for cars on rural
       interstates and other divide highways and 65 day/55 nigh on others
       on December 15, 1995. Urban interstaes are now 60 mph. Truck speed
       limit was 65 before December 15 but they are now restricted to 60
       day/55 night. (What the pre-NMSL limit was)
     * Senate Bill 685 was passed on 2/26 to set the speed limit on
       interstates at 75 MPH for ALL vehicles, including all trucks.
       Minimums will be set at 55 on the turnpikes and 50 on other
       interstates. The bill also sets the speed limit at 65 on all
       2-lane roads for all vehicles, with no night restriction. This
       ends all non-uniform speed limits in the state. The bill now goes
       to the house.
     * State DOT Site: http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/
     * Oklahoma Legislature (No Bill Info)
       
   Oregon
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 75
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on September 27, 1987
     * Administrative action by state DOT is required to raise the speed
       limit.
     * Thinking about going to 75 mph
     * The Oregon Legislature gopher server (Text of Bills but doesn't
       include an index)
     * State DOT Site: gopher://gopher.odot.state.or.us/
       
   Pennsylvania
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 65
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on July 15, 1995
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * State DOT Site:
       http://www-penninfo.upenn.edu:1962/penninfo-srv.upenn.edu/9000/11
       298.html
     * Pennsylvania Government (No Bill Info)
       
   Rhode Island (4/12/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 60
     * Never did adopted the 65 mph speed limit
     * Administrative action by state traffic commission is required to
       raise the speed limit.
     * Just before 11 am April 12 today the RI State Traffic Commission
       voted 4-2 to raise the speed limit to 65 on all of I-295 and I-95
       from the CT line to the Rt 4 interchange starting May 12. This was
       solely the result of the work done by our RI coordinator, Tom
       Frank. If no one else had pushed 65, the RI State Police's anti-65
       attitude would have carried the day.
     * Rhode Island State Archives (No Leg. Info Yet)
       
   South Carolina (3/8/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on July 16, 1987
     * Administrative action by state DOT is required to raise the speed
       limit.
     * The state Transportation Commission is recommending the 55 mph
       speed limits around major cities like Greenville and Spartanburg
       be increased to 65. They are also recommending a bump in the
       interstate speed limit from 65 to 70. Another recommendation by
       the commission was to raise the speed limits on dual-lane divided
       highways (non-interstate) to 60. The governor asked the commission
       to study the effects of raising limits and they found no
       correlation to the posted limits and the accident rate. 65% of
       drivers exceed 55 on non-interstate roads, but only 35% exceed 60
       on those roads.
     * Despite the recommendations, Rep. Terry Haskins has introduced
       legislation to allow 75 mph limits on the interstates. (House Bill
       4355)
     * South Carolina General Assembly (Bill Text and Status)
       
   South Dakota (4/4/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 75
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 15, 1987
     * The speed limit on Interstates went to 75 on April 1st, and 65 on
       all other roads.
     * State DOT Site:
       http://www.state.sd.us/state/executive/dot/dot.html
     * Legislative Research Council (No Bill Info Yet)
       
   Tennessee
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 75
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on May 5, 1987
     * Possible increase to 70 mph on Interstates
     * http://www.inaugural.state.tn.us/hp/sundquist/trans.html
     * Tenn. WWW Home Page (No Leg Info)
       
   Texas
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on May 9, 1987
     * Went to 70 mph on interstates and divided highways on December 8,
       1995
     * The speed limit on undivided U.S., State, farm-to-market, and
       ranch-to-market roads will go to seventy (70) as soon as signs are
       posted, which should be in early May. Nighttime speed limits on
       these roads should revert back to the pre-NMSL limit of 65.
     * Trucks limit to 60 moh day, 55 night.
     * School buses limit to 50 mph
     * State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.tx.us/
     * Texas Leg. Info (Bill Text Only)
       
   Utah (4/14/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on May 21, 1987
     * Legislative action was required to raise the speed limit.
     * House Bill 29 was signed into law on Feb 29,1996. This bill sets
       the maxium speed limit at 75 mph on Interstates and 65 in other
       locations. However, the highways are still marked at 65.
       Apparently the change is pending, but DOT has not done it yet.
       They have the authority to set the limit lower than 75 if it is
       appropriate.
     * Utah State Legislature (Bill Info and Status)
     * State DOT site: http://www.sr.ex.state.ut.us/
       
   Vermont
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 65
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 22, 1987
     * Administrative action by state traffic commission is required to
       raise the speed limit.
     * General Assembly Information (Bill Info, Current Law)
       
   Virginia (3/1/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on July 1, 1987
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * Well it does't look good for virgina drivers.The Virginia Senate
       Transportation Committee killed a bill that would have raised
       speed limits to 70 mph on some rural highways and The House voted
       64-35 to kill a proposal allowing the Department of Transportation
       to raise the speed limit to 65 mph on all interstate highways and
       to 60 mph on some four-lane highways. Sen. Emmett Hanger, the
       Augusta County Republican who sponsored the Senate bill, said the
       measure is dead. He said senators wanted to study speed limits
       before raising them.
     * However, a bill raising the speed limit to 65 on the Dullas
       greenway passed and is now in effect
     * The Governor was a supporter of 70 mph on interstate so there
       might still be hope.
     * Virginia General Assembly (Bill test and Status)
     * State DOT Site: http://pratt.vtrc.virginia.edu/vdot.html
       
   Washington
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 20, 1987
     * Administrative action by state DOT was required to raise the speed
       limit.
     * The State announced a Speed limit increase of 70 mph on rural
       interstates and 60 mph on urban interstates on March 8. Crews will
       begin posting new speed limit signes on March 11. Even the state
       AAA praised the increase. Apparently the "rural" designation will
       be extended slightly into at least one area that had always been
       "urban."
     * By the end of the year, the WA Secretary of Transportation expects
       to propose "other" speed limit increases for state highways.
     * 60 mph for vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross weight (large trucks)
       and vehicles in combination (trucks with trailers, for instance).
     * Washington Interstate Speed Limit Proposal
     * Washington State Legislature (Bill Text and Status)
     * State DOT Site: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/
       
   West Virginia (4/17/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on April 20, 1987
     * Administrative action by highway commission/department is required
       to raise the speed limit.
     * Both bills that would have set speed limits higher in West Virgina
       got killed, one would have set the speed limit to 70 mph on
       interstates and 65 on dived hoghways, and the other would have set
       the speed limit to 65 on divided highways and urban interstates.
       However, the Department of Highways can still set whatever speed
       limits they want to. Current state laws only mention standard
       speed limits, not caps. However, the Department of Highways will
       not likly do it without legislative support.
     * Directory of West Virginia Legislators and Some Other Governmental
       Officials at James Matthew Mullins, Jr.'s Home Page
     * West Virginia Online (No Leg. Info Yet)
       
   Wisconsin (4/18/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 70
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on July 17, 1987
     * Legislative action is required to raise the speed limit.
     * Wisconsin will get 65 mph non-interstate 4 laners hopefully
       sometime soon. SB 541 passed both houses and is awaiting the Gov's
       signature. While he hasn't commented on the bill, he has said that
       WI shouldn't be the last state to cling to 65 in this area.
       Interstates would remain 65, 2 laners would remain 55. Not the
       best, but better than what we have now. About 300 miles of roads
       could be affected. Bill's Status
     * State DOT Site: http://www.dot.state.wi.us/
     * Wisconsin State Legislature (Bill Text and Status)
       
   Wyoming (4/14/96)
     * Had a Pre-NMSL Speed Limit of 75
     * Adopted the 65 mph speed limit on May 19, 1987
     * Went to 75 mph on all interstates (including urban) on December 8,
       1995. Yes, 75 through Cheyenne, the biggest city in the state.
     * All other highways all posted at 65, including two lanes.
     * Wyoming Legislative Services Office (Bill Text, Current Law)
       
   

----------------------------------------------------------------------
4) SUMMARY SUMMARY
----------------------------------------------------------------------

       Daytime Interstate Speed Limit:
# Of States | 55   60   65   70   75   80   85  None
----------------------------------------------------
Pre-NMSL       0    4    5   29   10    0    0   2
Post-NMSL (1)  4    0   32    6    7    0    0   1

        Prevailing Speed:
                 | 60      65      70      75      None
--------------------------------------------------------
Pre-NMSL (2)     | 65-70   66-69   71-76   72-76   76-77

See a pattern here? Note how the pre-NMSL speed limits generally
equaled the speed of traffic.  Also notice how when there was NO speed
limit traffic didn't go above 80.  Something that will hopefully
comeback once the NMSL is repealed.  Notice also how only 10 states
had speed limits of 65 or less.

(1) May not always be up to date (Last updated 3/4/96)
(2) Estimated speed.  They didn't use the the 85th percentile rule
    (prevailing speed) back them.  Source: "Pre NMSL data" {pre-NMSL}

   

----------------------------------------------------------------------
5) CREDITS Etc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright (c) 1996 by Kevin Atkinson.

A service of the "Reasonable Drivers Unanimous" home page available at
http://www.clark.net/pub/kevina/sl/.

Special thanks to National Motorist Association (NMA) for providing a lot of
this info.  The NMA is the only real drivers rights organization in North
America.  They are the ones that got the NMSL repealed in the first place.
For more information see there web page at http://www.motorists.com/
or contact them at 608/849-6000; nma@genie.geis.com; or 6678 Pertzborn Road,
Dane, Wisconsin 53529.

All of the information in this chart comes from offical or semi-offical
sources.

Source for Pre-NMSL speed limits: Federal Highway Administration, 1972
except for NC and NJ.

Sources for the 65 dates:
High Risk States, Table 3
Unknown Risk States, Table 4, States at Risk. AHAS Press Release, Nov13 1995.
        Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
Unknown source from the insurance company.

Some of the sources for the post-NMSL data:
NMA
AAA
"A state-by-state look at speed limits" by the associated press, USA Today
        Online
"DOA States" by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
        (http://www.saferoads.org/press/95/strisk/table2.html)






