Some Missouri highways could see speed limits bumped up, some say it could increase fatal crashes
Alison Patton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Some rural highways and interstates will go from 70 miles per hour to 75 mph as soon as Aug. 28, after Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a bill into law Monday.
However, some driver safety organizations say this could lead to more traffic crashes.
“Unfortunately, increasing the speed limit even just five miles an hour, that could have a negative effect on our roadway fatalities,” AAA spokesperson Nick Chabbaria said.
The law allows the Missouri Department of Transportation to change the speed limits, but it could “take some time.”
“The passage of this bill allows the department to increase that limit in areas where it’s determined to be reasonably safe to do so. MoDOT is evaluating those eligible locations now to determine where this increase may be a possibility,” spokesperson Taylor Brune told ABC 17 News over email.
She did not provide a timeline, but did say the department is evaluating certain factors like traffic volume.
According to a crash data report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 39% of 991 fatal crashes in 2023 involved speeding. Missouri Driver and Safety Education Association President Simon Anderson echoed AAA’s statement.
“Higher speeds could save drivers minutes a few minutes on a trip, but the research consistently shows that it’s going to come at a cost of lives,” Anderson said.
State Rep. John Voss (R- Cape Girardeau) had told ABC 17 News on May 1 that areas with populations fewer than 50,000 could be affected.
Missouri Trucking Association Tom Crawford said the speed limit shouldn’t affect truck drivers because they typically drive under the current 70 mph speed limit to preserve fuel. He asks other drivers to stay vigilant on the highway.
“Professional truck drivers continue to preach the need for drivers to be attentive, as drivers increasing their speeds will approach other vehicles a little bit faster now from behind,” Crawford said.