Push for 75 MPH on Rural Highways Sparks Safety Debate in Missouri

Missouri lawmakers are weighing whether to raise speed limits on rural highways, but the proposal is sparking a debate over safety, timing, and how drivers actually behave on the road.

Senate Bill 1408 would let state transportation officials raise speed limits on rural interstates and freeways from 70 mph to 75 mph, according to reporting from KFVS and ABC 17 News.

The Missouri House has already passed the bill in an 82-53 vote, but since it was changed, it needs another vote in the Senate before it can go to Gov. Mike Kehoe. Lawmakers are working against a May 15 deadline to get it done.

Supporters say the change is about flexibility, not forcing drivers to go faster. According to State Rep. John Voss, the bill would mainly apply to rural areas with smaller populations and would better reflect how people already drive.

Voss also pointed to improvements happening on Missouri roads. According to ABC 17 News, he noted that Interstate 70 is being widened to three lanes across the state with new concrete, which he believes could support slightly higher speeds. He also said neighboring states already allow 75 mph, and Missouri should keep up.

Sen. Jamie Burger, the bill’s sponsor, made a similar argument. He said traffic tends to flow better in states like Arkansas that already have higher speed limits and believes Missouri should follow that example.

But not everyone is convinced now is the right time.

State Rep. David Tyson Smith, who voted against the bill, said ongoing construction across the state is one reason to hold off. He suggested lawmakers revisit the idea in a few years after more data is available.

Safety concerns are also front and center. According to MoDOT, higher speed limits are likely to come with serious consequences. In a statement shared with Heartland News, the agency said that if the speed limit increases to 75 mph, the state should expect more fatalities and serious injuries.

MoDOT backed that up with national data. According to the agency, a study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that increasing speed limits by just 5 mph is linked to an 8.5% rise in fatal crashes on interstates.

There are also examples from nearby states:

• Kansas raised its speed limit from 70 to 75 mph in 2011 and saw a 27% increase in freeway crashes
• Nebraska increased limits in 2018 and recorded 45 more traffic deaths in the five years after the change compared to the five years before

Opponents say higher posted speeds could also encourage drivers to go even faster. According to ABC 17 News, Smith warned that if the limit rises to 75 mph, some drivers may push speeds to 80 or 85 mph.

Speeding is already a major issue. According to the National Road Safety Foundation, speeding is a factor in 29% of fatal crashes nationwide. In Missouri, that number is even higher, with speeding involved in 34% of deadly crashes.

Supporters, however, argue that vehicles today are safer than ever. According to ABC 17 News, Burger said advancements like airbags and crash alert systems make higher speeds less concerning than they were in the past. He also argued that distracted driving is now a bigger problem than speed alone.

Voss added that enforcement will still play a role. According to ABC 17 News, he said existing laws on careless and imprudent driving would still allow law enforcement to step in when drivers are going too fast for conditions.

The bill goes beyond speed limits. According to ABC 17 News, Senate Bill 1408 also includes several other transportation-related changes, including:

• Removing the requirement for vehicle inspections for all passenger cars
• Requiring MoDOT to publish project cost estimates online
• Allowing motorcycles to use multicolored lights
• Letting school districts offer driver education programs
• Closing a loophole in the state’s hands-free driving law

For now, the proposal is still moving through the legislative process. According to Voss, he expects the Senate to take it up again before the session ends. Whether it becomes law could come down to how lawmakers weigh convenience and consistency against the potential safety risks.

Sources: KFVS, ABC 17 News