Missouri’s new 75 mph law is in effect. Here’s why the speed limit is still 70

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — A new Missouri law allowing speed limits of up to 75 mph on certain rural highways takes effect Friday, but drivers shouldn’t hit the gas just yet.

The legislation allows the Missouri Department of Transportation to increase the maximum speed limit from 70 mph to 75 mph on eligible rural interstates and freeways beginning Aug. 28.

However, the new law does not automatically raise speed limits across the state.

MoDOT must first evaluate eligible stretches of roadway before determining where a 75-mph speed limit would be appropriate. Until that process is complete and new speed limit signs are posted, drivers should continue following existing posted speed limits.

According to MoDOT, engineers will consider several factors when evaluating whether a roadway is appropriate for the higher speed limit, including crash history, traffic volume, interchange spacing, roadway geometry and the speeds motorists are already traveling.

The change could eventually affect rural portions of Missouri interstates, including Interstate 55 through southeast Missouri, if those sections meet MoDOT’s criteria.

The law gives MoDOT the authority to establish the higher limit but does not require the agency to increase every eligible roadway to 75 mph.

That means drivers traveling on an interstate currently posted at 70 mph must continue following the 70-mph limit unless and until MoDOT changes the signs.

The speed limit increase was included in legislation approved by Missouri lawmakers and signed into law earlier this year.

Missouri joins several other states that allow interstate speed limits of 75 mph or higher.

MoDOT has not announced when motorists could begin seeing the first 75 mph signs installed.

Drivers can find current roadway and traffic information through MoDOT.