Drivers in Minnesota will now be able to travel a few miles per hour faster on many roads in the state, but officials caution that the new limits will be strictly enforced.
On Monday, Sept. 26, the speed limits on 930 miles of highways began being increased from 55 to 60 mph, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The new limits are on portions of State Highways 71, 23, 7 and 100, as well as Interstate 94 and Interstate 35 east and west where it splits near the Twin Cities.
The speed increase will coincide with a $2.5 million federal grant – one of the largest of its kinds – to study motorists’ driving and safety habits. Plus, they’ll be using the money to increase patrols and crack down on all speeders traveling above the new limits, WCCO-TV reported.
“Our guys are being told to stop all violations. There’s no waiting for the ‘Big Flyer,’” Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Mark Peterson told the Star Tribune. “If drivers go even 2 mph over the limit, you’re running a risk.”
The number of patrol officers will increase by 1,200 to 1,400 hours of additional enforcement, Peterson said.