Free Republic

BELTON, Mo. — As Missouri lawmakers return to Jefferson City Wednesday, one of many issues they are expected to consider is raising the state’s speed limit. Along Interstate 49 here, the speed limit is 70 miles an hour, but that could jump up to 75 if this proposal becomes law. A southwest Missouri lawmaker wants drivers in the Show-Me State to be able to go faster on rural highways. Rep. Mike Kelley from Lamar, further south on I-49, wants to raise the speed limit to 75 miles an hour on 4-lane highways away from the cities. Currently Missouri’s speed limit...

AUGUSTA, Maine — If you drive along Interstate 95 in the nation's far northeastern corner, "it's trees, trees, trees" for mile after mile, says one motorist. So why not set the cruise control on 75 mph? That's what a lot of drivers have been doing for years, but now it's legal on one lonesome stretch, making Maine the only state east of the Mississippi River where drivers aren't breaking the law by driving 75 mph. The new law authorizing the higher limit went on the books Wednesday, though it actually takes effect when new signs replace the old 65 mph...

New laws regulating speed limits on state highways in Texas are beginning to take effect. Some speed limits will increase. Gov. Perry signed House Bill 1353, which takes effect today. This legislation allows the Texas Department of Transportation to create a 75-mph speed limit on any state highway found to be reasonable and safe through a speed study. TxDOT will be reviewing existing 70-mph limits to determine where a 75-mph speed limit may be safely posted. HB 1353 also eliminates the 65-mph nighttime speed limit and all truck speed limits. On Sept. 1, the existing nighttime and truck speed limits...