It’s official: North Dakota’s interstate speed limit will increase. Governor Kelly Armstrong signed House Bill 1298 Monday, increasing North Dakota’s interstate speed limit from 75 mph to 80 mph while also raising speeding fines. This is the state’s first interstate speed limit increase in over two decades, aligning North Dakota with neighboring Montana and South Dakota. As for the fine increases, there are now minimum fines of a $20 flat fee or $5 per mile per hour over the limit on the interstate, opting for whichever is greater in the situation. An additional penalty of $20 will be tacked on for exceeding the limit by more than 15 mph. Opponents of the bill were concerned about safety, however, proponents cited studies showing minimal changes in crash-related deaths after similar increases in other states. The bill narrowly passed after initial legislative resistance and will take effect August 1.
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