Speed limits are necessary for safe driving because they not only limit the speeds at which vehicles travel but they also create a regular traffic flow as most people drive at or near the speed limit. If every driver was able to set his or her own traveling speed, driving would become chaotic and very unsafe. Speed in and of itself generally does not cause an accident. More often it is reckless or negligent driving, when coupled with higher speeds, that results in serious and devastating car accidents. Since there are reckless drivers out there, speed limits help to control them. Wisconsin speed limits according the Department of Transportation Handbook are as follows:
Maximum speeds in Wisconsin, unless otherwise posted:
15 mph: Within a school zone or school crossing when children and/or a crossing guard are present, in an alley, or passing a safety zone where a bus has stopped to load or unload.
25 mph: On residential and business streets.
35 mph: In outlying parts of cities or villages, or semi-urban districts outside cities or villages.
55 mph: On any highway or freeway in Wisconsin, except on multi-lane freeways and expressways posted for 65 or 70 mph.
65 mph: On rural interstate highways and some posted freeways and expressways. Look for speed limit signs.
70 mph: On some posted freeways and expressways. Look for speed limit signs. Speed limits are posted on many roads. Posted speed limits do not tell you at what speed you should drive. They only say you cannot go faster than the speed shown.
By law, you must go slower if conditions make the posted speed unsafe. It is illegal to exceed the posted speed limit. Racing on the highway and driving recklessly are not allowed. You may not exceed the speed limit to pass another vehicle. Speeding does not save you much time. If you travel 20 miles at 66 mph in a 55 mph zone, you only save 3.6 minutes. You can be stopped and ticketed, in which case you would lose more than 3.6 minutes, and you will be assessed points and a fine.
Note: Wisconsin law says you must not drive so slowly that you interfere with the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. You can be ticketed for impeding traffic. Some highways have minimum posted speed limits.
McCormick Law Office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin attorneys represent people involved in speeding accidents or collisions caused by speeders. Our attorneys get the best settlements for auto collisions when the evidence supports negligent or reckless driving on the other driver which may include speeding. The losses we collect damages for include medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering and disability.
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