Senate passes bill to lower unmarked speed limit

On a 31-9 vote , Senate Bill 125, otherwise known as the “Dirt Road Bill,” passed the state Senate on Wednesday and will now head to the House.

“This bill is important because right now, the state's legal limit of 75 mph just doesn't make sense for many local, narrow, dirt roads that are not designed or built for the higher speeds that are safe on highways or interstates,” said Sen. Pat Woods of Broadview, who is sponsoring the bill.

Currently, the maximum speed limit on unposted roads is 75 mph, which includes county roads. If it passes the House, the new speed limit on roads without a speed posted will be 55 mph starting Jan. 1.

According to Woods, Curry County officials initially requested the speed limit change. The Department of Public Safety is also backing the bill.