A group of lawmakers in North Carolina is pushing for an increase in the state’s maximum speed limit. A new bill was introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives on Wednesday, February 12, proposing a speed limit increase from 70 mph to 75 mph.
The bill suggests that the change would apply only to certain roads, including those that are part of the Interstate Highway System and toll roads. However, even if the bill is passed, it does not automatically mean all highways will have a 75 mph speed limit. Instead, the North Carolina Department of Transportation would be given the authority to raise the limit if an engineering and traffic study finds it to be reasonable and safe.
The bill is still in the early stages and has a long way to go before it could become law. If approved, no changes would take effect until new road signs are installed to inform drivers of the updated speed limits. The process of passing the bill and implementing the changes would take time.
Eight representatives have signed on as sponsors of the bill. Six are Republicans, and two are Democrats. One of the sponsors is Representative Nasif Majeed, who represents a district that includes a northeastern part of Charlotte and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte).
The bill has been sent to the Committee on Transportation for further review. Representative Brian Biggs, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, is a member of that committee. The committee will discuss the proposal before deciding whether it should move forward in the legislative process.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), at least 18 states in the U.S. already have maximum speed limits of 75 mph or higher. If this bill passes, North Carolina could join those states in allowing faster travel on select highways.
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