Summary of State Speed Laws
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DOT HS 810 826 August 2007 Summary of State Speed Laws Tenth Edition Current as of January 1, 2007 This document is available to the public from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161 This publication is distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the interest of information exchange. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Department of Transportation or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. If trade or manufacturers' names or products are mentioned, it is because they are considered essential to the object of the publication and should not be construed as an endorsement. The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ...................................................iii Missouri ......................................................138 Alabama..........................................................1 Montana ......................................................143 Alaska.............................................................5 Nebraska .....................................................150 Arizona ...........................................................9 Nevada ........................................................157 Arkansas .......................................................15 New Hampshire ..........................................163 California......................................................21 New Jersey..................................................168 Colorado .......................................................30 New Mexico................................................175 Connecticut...................................................35 New York....................................................180 Delaware.......................................................39 North Carolina ............................................187 District of Columbia.....................................45 North Dakota ..............................................194 Florida...........................................................49 Ohio ............................................................200 Georgia .........................................................55 Oklahoma....................................................206 Hawaii...........................................................61 Oregon ........................................................212 Idaho.............................................................66 Pennsylvania...............................................218 Illinois...........................................................71 Rhode Island ...............................................223 Indiana ..........................................................78 South Carolina ............................................229 Iowa ..............................................................84 South Dakota ..............................................234 Kansas...........................................................90 Tennessee....................................................239 Kentucky.......................................................95 Texas...........................................................244 Louisiana ......................................................99 Utah.............................................................250 Maine..........................................................105 Vermont ......................................................255 Maryland.....................................................110 Virginia.......................................................260 Massachusetts.............................................116 Washington.................................................267 Michigan.....................................................121 West Virginia..............................................273 Minnesota ...................................................128 Wisconsin ...................................................279 Mississippi..................................................134 Wyoming ....................................................286 Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC)....................290 i SPEED 2006 INTRODUCTION PURPOSE Minimum Speed Rule: The Minimum Speed Rule prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle This summary reports ONLY the status of State at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and statutes or regulations that are concerned with reasonable movement of traffic. However, in either speed limit or speed-related violations. order to avoid a possible conflict with the basic Local laws are not reported. Unless otherwise speed rule, the law normally provides that a slow indicated, the status of the State laws or speed is permissible when "reduced speed is regulations reported is January 1, 2006. necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law." See Uniform Vehicle Code §11-805(a). ORGANIZATION Racing on the Highway: "Racing on the highway" The summary is divided into two areas: (1) is usually defined as driving "any vehicle in any Introduction; (2) a State-by-State-Analysis. The race, speed competition or contest, drag race or State-by-State Analysis is organized by State and acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, then by specific legal topics. The State-by-State exhibition of speed or acceleration, or for the Analysis includes code and case law citations; purpose of making a speed record." See Uniform these should help individuals conducting Vehicle Code §11-809(a). additional research in this area of the law. The State-by-State Analysis can be used to facilitate Drag Racing: Either as part of the offense of the comparison of State laws in the subject areas. highway racing or as a separate statutory crime, the offense of "drag racing" is normally defined as The Appendix, using the State-by-State analysis "the operation of two or more vehicles from a format, gives the Uniform Vehicle Code’s point side by side at accelerating speed in provisions on speed limit and speed-related competitive attempt to outdistance each other, or offenses. the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same point to EXPLANATIONS the same point, for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of such Basic Speed Rule: The Basic Speed Rule requires vehicles or vehicles within a certain distance or vehicle operators to drive at a speed that is time limit." See Uniform Vehicle Code §11- reasonable and prudent. As a corollary to this 809(b). rule, State laws usually provide that "every person shall drive at a safe and appropriate speed when Reckless Driving: "Reckless driving" is normally approaching and crossing an intersection or defined as driving "any vehicle in willful or railroad grade crossing, when approaching and wanton disregard for the safety of persons or going around a curve, when approaching a hill property." See Uniform Vehicle Code §11-901(a). crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding Note: Speed is not necessarily a factor in this roadway, and when special hazards exist with offense. respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions." See Uniform Vehicle Code §11-801. ii SPEED 2006 INTRODUCTION (continued) Statutory Speed Limit: A "statutory speed limit" Speed Law Sanctions: Except as noted, the is one specifically provided for under a State's criminal and administrative licensing sanctions traffic code (rules of the road). Such limits may given are the same for any offense listed under the vary by highway type (e.g., interstate) or by heading "Basis for a Speed Law Violation." location (e.g., urban district). State laws may or Important: The fine sanctions listed in this may not require that these limits be posted. summary do not include court costs or bail schedule forfeitures. Posted (Maximum) Speed Limit: Even though specific speed limits may have been established Highway and Street: In order to insure that the via legislation, State laws usually allow either terms "highway" and "street" are synonymous and State or local authorities to set highway speed interchangeable, many State laws defined both as limits above or below the statutory ones. Prior to "[t]he entire width between the boundary lines of taking such action on any portion of a highway, every way publicly maintained when any part the law normally requires that governmental thereof is open to the use of the public for authorities conduct a study to determine the safe purposes of vehicular travel." See Uniform speed limit for that part of the highway. State Vehicle Code §§1-127 and 1-183. laws may also allow such authorities to specify different speed limits on all or selected highways FEEDBACK and FUTURE EDITIONS (or portions thereof) either for various times of the day or for various types of vehicles (e.g., trucks). Requests for future editions of or comments about this summary should be sent to: Speed limits established under these laws are not effective until appropriate speed limit signs are National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posted on the highway. Caution: This summary Enforcement and Justice Services Division (NTI- does not report the speed limits that have been 122) established via such laws. 400 Seventh Street SW. Washington, DC 20590 Telephone: 202-366-9588