Last Monday, a bill was introduced to the Nevada Senate that, if passed, would raise the speed limit from 75 to 85 mph on select highways. NDOT would still have the authority to increase the speed limit only if it determines the higher speed limit is appropriate. The bill would also allow NDOT to set lower speed limits for commercial vehicles.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks, who said the increased speeds would not result in more fatalities.
“I drive on rural roads a lot here in northern Nevada — my district is huge,” Gustavson told the Los Angeles Times. “There’s 37,000 square miles in this state. It’s a big, big place. The way I see it, this new limit just paves the way for a speed people are already doing out there anyway.”
The bill will now move to the Senate’s Committee on Transportation for further consideration.