Summary of state speed laws : eleventh edition.

NHTSA · 2011 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This document, the eleventh edition of the *Summary of State Speed Laws*, is a comprehensive reference publication produced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2011. It addresses the need for standardized information regarding traffic safety laws across the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The publication aims to facilitate the comparison of state statutes and regulations concerning speed limits and speed-related violations, supporting the NHTSA’s mission to reduce vehicle-related fatalities and injuries. The data reflects the legal status as of February 1, 2010. The document compiles statutory and regulatory data for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. It categorizes laws into several key provisions: the basic speed rule (requiring reasonable and prudent speeds), statutory speed limits, posted maximum and minimum speed limits, and sanctions for violations. The compilation also details laws regarding other criminal actions related to speeding, such as highway racing, drag racing, reckless driving, negligent driving, and aggressive driving. Additionally, it records the legal status of automated speed enforcement technology in each jurisdiction, classifying states as permitting, prohibiting, or having no statutory provision regarding its use. The data includes specific code citations, fine amounts, jail time limits, and licensing actions such as suspension or revocation. The findings reveal significant variation in speed laws across jurisdictions. Following the repeal of the federal 55 mph maximum speed limit in 1995, most states increased their limits. As of 2010, only three states and the District of Columbia maintained maximum posted speed limits of 55 mph or lower for passenger vehicles. Texas established the highest limit at 80 mph, while eleven states set limits at 75 mph and nineteen at 70 mph. Regarding enforcement, thirteen states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico had legislation permitting automated speed enforcement to some degree, while sixteen states explicitly prohibited it. Sanctions for speeding violations varied widely, with maximum fines ranging from $50 to $2,500 and maximum jail sentences ranging from 15 days to one year. All jurisdictions imposed fines, and most employed point systems or licensing suspensions for repeat offenders. The significance of this publication lies in its role as a centralized resource for researchers, policymakers, and legal professionals seeking to understand the landscape of traffic safety laws. By providing detailed, comparable data on speed limits, enforcement mechanisms, and penalties, the document supports efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of state laws in reducing motor vehicle crashes. It highlights the diversity in legislative approaches to speed management and enforcement, offering a baseline for analyzing trends in traffic safety regulation and the adoption of technologies like automated speed enforcement.

Key finding

Most states increased maximum posted speed limits above 55 mph following the 1995 repeal of the federal limit, with Texas setting the highest at 80 mph, while automated speed enforcement legislation varies significantly with thirteen jurisdictions permitting it and sixteen prohibiting it.

Methodology

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Provenance

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Topics

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• speed management