Advocates has written to members of the House Transportation Committee in the Missouri General Assembly in opposition to Senate Bill (SB) 1408. This legislation would increase the speed limit to 75 miles per hour (mph) on rural interstates and freeways, up from 70 mph, endangering state residents and visitors.
In 2024, there were an overall estimated 965 traffic fatalities in Missouri according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is a 11 percent increase since 2015. Speeding is a major factor leading to traffic fatalities, contributing to 37 percent of traffic fatalities in the state in 2023 which ranks among the 10 highest states and is a higher proportion than all neighboring states. Moreover, speeding related fatalities in Missouri increased 39 percent from 2014 to 2023.
We urge members to reject SB 1408 and keep Missouri families and visitors safe.
Read the full letter here.
We previously wrote to Senate leaders in February in opposition to SB 1408. You can read about that here.