Highway Speeds on the Rise Nationwide

According to a recent survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 14 percent of motorists exceed the posted speed limit by at least 10 MPH on limited-access highways, such as I-95. This represents an increase since 2009, when the last such survey was conducted. The 65 MPH limit in Maryland is modest compared to other states, many of which boast limits of 75 MPH or more in rural areas. Maryland’s legislature is currently debating a bipartisan bill to raise the State speed limits to 75 MPH on limited access highways. This would potentially include a 20 MPH increase on Maryland’s newest highway, the Inter-County Connecter/Rte. 200. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) maintains that as highways speeds rise, so do motor vehicle accidents and fatalities.

By Timothy E. Howie | Published March 6, 2013