Summary of State Speed Laws - NHTSA

II. Based on engineering and traffic investigations, a local
government may increase or decrease the
Basis for a Speed Law Violation: (continued) maximum speed on any part of a highway or establish the
maximum safe speed on the streets within its jurisdiction. 151
§§9-21-1-3(a)(5) and (11), 9-21 — 5 — 3 and 9-21-5-6(a) and
(b)
Minimum Speed Limit:
I. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at a slow speed that
impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of
traffic. §9-21-5-7
II. A person driving at less than the normal speed of traffic
shall drive in the right-hand lane then available
for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or
edge of the roadway. §§9-21-5 — 9 and 9-21-8-2(b)
Posted (Minimum) Speed Limit: Based on engineering and traffic investigations, the State
Department of Transportation or a local government, for
highways with its jurisdiction, may establish a minimum
speed on any part of a highway. §9-21-5-8
Other: I. A vehicle with a gross weight ≥ 26,001 lbs. shall not be
driven at speed greater than 60 mph. §9-21-5-2(4)
II. An "oversized vehicle" 152 shall not be driven at a speed
greater than 45 mph. §9-21-5-5
III. Based on engineering and traffic investigations, the State
Department of Transportation may establish a safe maximum
speed on any bridge or elevated structure. §9-21-5-10
IV. The State Department of Transportation or a local
government may establish a temporary safe maximum speed
limit at a worksite not to exceed 45 mph in any location. §9-
21-5-11
V. A vehicle that is not ordinarily operated at speed >25 mph
cannot be operated above this speed. Such vehicles include
pulled, towed, self-propelled or animal-drawn vehicles. §9-
21-9-1
VI. A motorized bicycle may not be operated at a speed
greater than 25 mph. §9-21-11-12(4)
VII. A school bus cannot be driven >55 mph on a Federal or
State highway or >40 mph on any country or township
highway. §20-9.1-5-10
151
However, such government cannot (1) decrease a maximum speed limit within an urban district to less than 20 mph, (2)
increase the maximum speed limit within an urban district to more than 55 mph during the day or 50 mph at night, (3)
decrease the maximum speed limit outside an urban district to less than 30 mph, (4) decrease the maximum speed limit in
an alley to less than 5 mph and (5) increase the maximum the speed limit in an alley to more than 30 mph. §9-21-5-6(a).
However, local government may establish a speed limit on a street located within a park or playground at not less than 15
mph. §9-21-5-6(e). In addition, a local government may also establish a speed limit of not less than 20 mph on a State
highway which is located in the immediate vicinity of a school. Such a limit is only in effect when children are present.
§9-21-5-6(d)
152
An "oversized vehicle" is one which is either has (1) a width >10 feet, 6 inches, (2) a height >13 feet, 6 inches, or (3) a
length >85 feet. §9-21 — 5 — 5
79
SPEED 2005