Speed Limits are Being Raised Across the World
Image Adobe Firefly
In a somewhat surprising turn of events some countries are actually increasing the speed limits on their roads, with spain trialling a 93mph limit and more US states hiking the maximum velocity to 80mph.
Starting in Europe, a 90-mile section of the AP-7 in Catalonia is set to see a rise from 120km/h to 150km/h - that’s a shift from 74mph to 93mph. The Spanish General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) is testing the increase and will police it using AI-powered cameras. The upper limit will only be in place when traffic flow and weather conditions are deemed suitable but it could cut the length of a journey on the AP-7 by almost 15 minutes. If the trial is a success then the new limit could potentially be rolled out across Spain.
Meanwhile, in America North Dakota is joining the 80mph club. From August 2025, the speed limit on certain Interstate highways will rise to 80mph. The speed boost will be restricted to wide open spaces (of which North Dakota has plenty) but not more densely-populated areas.
North Dakota, known as the Rough Rider State, will join several other speedy states which allow their drivers to make more progress. Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming all let car drivers reach 80mph on certain roads, while Texas is currently the speediest state, permitting drivers to reach 85mph on its “Pickle Parkway” Highway 130 just outside of Austin.
If you feel the need for even higher speed then Germany still has no upper limit on certain stretches of autobahn, and the Isle of Man also has no limits outside of inhabited areas, while on the UAE’s E11 between Abu Dhabi and the Saudi border you can drive at 160 km/h or 99mph.
Some countries are actually increasing the speed limits on their roads, with Spain trialling a 93mph limit and more US states hiking the maximum velocity to 80mph.