North Dakota House Passes 80 mph Speed Bill

North Dakota lawmakers have revived House Bill 1298, which proposes raising the interstate speed limit from 75 to 80 mph. The House approved the bill 54-36 after reconsideration, sending it to the Senate, which had earlier amended it to include higher speeding fines and a study on the driver’s license point program. The bill's new structure sets a minimum fine of $20 or a per-mile rate over the limit, with extra fees for excessive speeding, but removes any changes to driver's license point penalties. Supporters say the change would align North Dakota with neighboring states, while opponents raise safety concerns and issues for slower-moving trucks. In Minnesota, the speed limit on a segment of Highway 62 will increase from 55 to 60 mph after a transportation study, with new signage and heightened law enforcement planned for summer. Both states' actions reflect ongoing debates about the balance between traffic efficiency and road safety.