A West Fargo lawmaker has introduced a bill to raise the speed limits on all state highways by 5 miles per hour.
"The Interstates would be 80, four lane highways would be 75, and two lane highways would be 70," said Rep. Ben Koppelman (R-West Fargo). "People are probably driving those speeds now."
Koppelman said it makes sense to have the speed limit at what is actually allowed.
"We (legislators) set policy," Koppelman said. "That's our job as a Legislature."
Koppelman said he believes most highways are built to handle the higher speeds. But he said the measure would allow the Department of Transpporation and the Highway Patrol some leeway, if there are problems with some of the highways.
"Most areas of the state have highways built to handle these speeds," Koppelman said. "As a general rule, we have long, straight roads in North Dakota, on fairly flat topography, without may curves. So in many areas, these speeds are absolutely appropriate."
