Speed Limit Studied On 1,100 Highway Miles In Minnesota

ST. PAUL (AP) - The Minnesota Department of Transportation will evaluate nearly 1,100 highway miles this year to determine whether the speed limit should be raised from 55 mph to 60 mph.

The state is in the third year of a five-year study on thousands of miles of two-lane roads. So far, transportation officials have raised the speed on nearly 1,200 miles of highway. About 300 miles remained at 55 mph.

The decision on whether to increase the speed is based on a number of factors, including past crash rates, shoulder widths and access points.

Traffic safety engineers say a properly selected speed limit can increase safety by creating uniform travel speeds and by setting realistic driver expectations of those trying to cross or enter the roadway.