Concerns For Traffic Safety As Interstate Speeds To Increase to 80 MPH in N.D.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota will become one of nine states with an 80-mph speed limit. And some public safety advocates are sharing their thoughts on the effects this will take on traffic safety.

“Most people exceed the speed limits. They have less time to react to roadway hazards, to other people who are in the roadway who may not be completely focused on the driving requirements such as distracted driving or impaired driving,” said Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

Former North Dakota State Highway Patrol Captain and State Representative Ed Gruchalla has thirty years of experience of attempting to pass bills to increase fines. He says the higher fines included in the new law won’t do much to discourage speeding.

“In 1956, the fine for going through a red light was twenty dollars and when I put this bill in like fifteen years ago it was still twenty dollars,” said Ed Gruchalla.

For highways with a speed limit of 65 mph or higher, the fine will be $20 or $5 for every mile per hour over the limit. In slower speed zones, there will be a $20 fine minimum for speeding.

“People will still cheat about the same amount. I think we’ve got them trained now that you can go five over and there’s no worry. Hardly any law enforcement, I hate to say this, stops anybody for less than about ten over the speed limit and I don’t think that will change,” said Gruchalla.

Gruchalla also points out that he was surprised many legislators passed this bill. But does not believe there will be change unless higher fines were to go into effect.