The 55-mph speed limit was signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1974 as part of the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act after the first oil crisis. Now, over 50 years later, North Dakota has become the ninth state to institute an 80-mph (or greater) speed limit.
Statistically, few of you live in or travel to North Dakota, the fourth least populated state in the U.S. and one of six states with a population under a million. As such, its population density per square mile also ranks fourth lowest —after all, the “Peace Garden State” is part of the Great Plains region. Can you imagine going 55 from Grand Forks to Devil’s Lake? Kill me now!
For years, the speed limit on North Dakota’s multi-lane highways has been 70 mph, but thanks to the newly approved legislation, that will rise to 80. Additionally, the law includes the installation of signs featuring speed limits that can be adjusted based on conditions such as weather or construction.
The caveat is that speeding fines are also rising, though Car and Driver reports that getting caught going 85 will net you a $25 ticket. (Yes, we too are blinking and rubbing our eyes.) Just be sure to check your speed when entering Minnesota because their cops won’t be as forgiving.
