New York is changing its speed limits on highways and interstates, they will now go from 65 miles to 70 miles per hour. And of course, this has raised controversy, but it is a measure that has been included in Senate Bill S1500.
It may seem like an unimportant change, but for some it is modernizing a very outdated rule and for others it is once again putting the road safety of millions of users on our roads at risk… what do these changes imply?
Why change now?
The project was presented in January 2025, and it simply modifies the state Traffic and Vehicle Law to raise the limit in very specific sections, not all. According to the Department of Transportation and the Thruway Authority, the reality is that many drivers were already driving above 65 mph in some areas and keeping that limit did not make much sense.
The defenders of this decision believe that road safety should not be compromised as long as they have a low accident rate and good designs… Also, in other states the speed limit has also been raised and that has not caused more accidents, on the contrary.
The criticism, as always
Road safety associations do not think the same, for these associations even 5 mph can be the difference between a hit and a fatal accident, in addition to denouncing that New York does not have advanced control systems that can guarantee that drivers respect these limits…
In New York City, the idea generates even more controversy because it is not clear if the urban roads will be included in the plan or not, but safety groups are already preparing to oppose if someone tries to apply it in areas with heavy traffic.
Two opposing views
For those who support the change, the law only adapts to what already happens in practice: the 65 mph were obsolete and nobody followed them on rural highways…
But critics insist that it is a matter of safety. They remind that the higher the speed, the shorter the reaction time and the greater the severity in accidents. And they fear that the adjustment will end up overwhelming hospitals if crashes increase in number or impact, not to mention the economic costs that an increase in accidents may bring…
Which roads are included in the plan
Note, this has not yet been approved, they need to go through hearings and reviews to decide which sections meet the minimum safety conditions, remember that a change like this requires many studies!
In addition, it is believed that only highways with a low accident rate and modern design will be able to see their signs change from 65 to 70 mph.
A debate that crosses borders
New York is not the only state that has reconsidered traffic rules, the whole country is reviewing speed limits and even some local governments are already opting for automatic systems that balance speed and safety. And yes, they also have fans and detractors, but they all seek the same thing: speed without injuries.
Everything indicates that from now on New York will be able to drive with a limit of 70 mph in some areas, something logical for some, something terrifying for others who believe that many lives will be lost along the way. Either way, let’s hope that even if the speed limit goes up, drivers remain cautious behind the wheel. What do you think about it?
Key information:
- New York is officially increasing the speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph
- Only roadways that meet strict safety and engineering criteria will qualify.