Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Speed Limits
Setting speed limits has traditionally been the responsibility of states, except for the period of 1973-1994. During that time, the federal government enacted mandatory speed limit ceilings on interstate highways and similar limited access roads through a National Maximum Speed Limit.
Congress repealed the National Maximum Speed Limit in 1995. Since then, 41 states have raised speed limits to 70 mph or higher on some portion of their roadway systems.
In many states, maximum speeds vary depending on vehicle type (car or truck), roadway location (urban or rural), or time of day. GHSA tracks state maximum speed limits for both urban and rural interstates, as well as other limited access roads.
In a few states, speed limits are not set by law.
Aggressive Driving
The term aggressive driving covers a range of unsafe driver behaviors. State laws define what constitutes aggressive driving and stipulate the related fines and penalties. Often, a driver must demonstrate more than one action to be considered aggressive.
To date, 15 states have addressed aggressive driving in their legislatures.
11 states have passed laws specifically defining aggressive driving actions.
- California and Utah have amended existing reckless driving laws to include actions similar to those defined as "aggressive" by other states.
- Pennsylvania has passed a resolution against aggressive driving.
- New Jersey enforces agressive driving under existing laws.
NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on speed limit or aggressive driving laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office (SHSO).
Sources: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and SHSOs.
Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2024.
75 (80 on specified segments)
75 (80 on specified segments)
75 (80 on specified segments)
75 (80 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
70
70
70
70
70
70
70 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.)
70 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.)
60 or 65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
60 or 65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
70
60
60
60
60
60
65
65
70
70
70
70
40
40
55
55
20
20
65
65
55
55
50
50
75; 80 on specified segments
75; 80 on specified segments
65; 70 on specified segments
65; 70 on specified segments
75
75
75; 80 or 85 on specified segments
75; 80 or 85 on specified segments
75
75
75
75
70
70
65
65
70
70
80
80
80
80
70
70
70
70
70 (60 on specified segments)
70 (60 on specified segments)
60
60
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
65 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
65 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
70
70
70
70
70
70
65 (70 on specified segments)
65
55
55
65
65
75
75
70
70
70
70
70
70
65
65
70
70
45
25
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
75
75
75
75
4-lane: 70 Other: 65
4-lane: 70 Other: 65
70
70
70
70
70
70
55
55
65
65
55
55
75
75
75
75
65
65
65
65
55
55
65
65
65 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
55 (70 on specified segments)
55 (70 on specified segments)
80
80
65
65
70
70
70
70
70
70
75
75
80
70
65
65
Day: 70 Night: 65
Day: 70 (Light Trucks), 60 (Heavy Trucks) Night: 65 (Light Trucks), 55 (Heavy Trucks)
70
70
60
60
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
65
65
65
65
70 (75 on select segments)
65
70
60; 55 if speed limit for cars is less than 70 MPH
70
60; 55 if speed limit for cars is less than 70 MPH
65
65
65
65
65
65
70
70
70
70
55
55
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
70
70
70
70
65 (70 on specific segments based on an engineering and traffic investigation)
65 (70 on specific segments based on an engineering and traffic investigation)
65
65
65
65
70
70
75
75
70
70
70
70
70
70
55
55
70
65
55
55
60
60
70
70
55
55
65
55
75, 80 on specified segments
70
75, 80 on specified segments
65
70
70
60
60
55
55
60
60
Guam does not have any interstates. The maximum speed limits for cars and trucks are: 35 in rural areas; 15 in residential areas; and 15 or 25 in school zones.
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
65 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
65 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70
70
65
65
70
70
n/a
55
55
n/a
n/a
n/a
65
65
55
55
65
65
65
55
55
65
65
65
75
75
65
65
65
65
70
55
65
55
70
55
65 (60 on specified roads)
75
75
75
70
65 (60 on specified roads)
75
75
65
65
65
65
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
55
55
65
70
70
65
65
65
Tracking the Cost in Lives of Higher Speed Limits
In some new cars and e-scooters, it isn't up to you how fast you drive
Europe Will Use Vehicle Tech to Prevent Speeding, Save Thousands of Lives
As Europe is poised to require all new vehicles to include a speed-control system, GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins lauds the progressive act toward road user safety.
Europe Will Use Vehicle Tech to Prevent Speeding, Save Thousands of Lives
Story by Angie Schmitt
March 5, 2019
Is the American Autobahn next? How states are pushing highway speeds past the limit
A recent proposal in California would establish a speed limit-free autobahn on a stretch of road. GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins speaks to the dangers of increasing – or eliminating – speed limits.
Speeding needs a cultural change
GHSA's recent report on speeding-related deaths highlights the challenge posed by the public's acceptance of speeding as normal. Director of Policy and Government Relations Russ Martin discusses the need for change.
Speeding needs a cultural change
Story by Dave Werner
February 11, 2019
Minnesota's move to raise speed limits on rural highways gets cheers, criticism
Many states have raised speed limits in recent years, a cause for concern as speeding continues to account for nearly a third of traffic deaths each year. GHSA's Kara Macek discusses the challenges posed by these increases.
Speeding Kills, and Safety Group Says States Should Take It More Seriously
Speeding is prevalent in nearly 10,000 traffic deaths annually, and little progress has been made to reduce its influence. Tara Casanova Powell, author of GHSA's recent report on the issue, discusses.
Speeding To Blame For Nearly 1 in 3 Traffic Deaths, Is 'Culturally Acceptable'
GHSA's most recent report highlights the challenge that though speeding is at play in nearly one third of traffic deaths each year, it lacks the public stigma that surrounds other traffic safety issues.
Still Too Many Highway Deaths Tied to Speeding
GHSA's recent report details the consistent presence of speeding in nearly one in three traffic deaths each year, and lauds Vision Zero concepts, which have helped reduce speeding in urban areas.
Still Too Many Highway Deaths Tied to Speeding
Story by Robert Preidt
January 17, 2019