Speed Limit May Increase on Select Highways in New York

New York lawmakers are proposing higher speed limits on specific highways across New York.

If you’ve ever been driving down the highway in New York, and glanced at your speedometer, and thought, "There’s no way the speed limit should only be 65," you’re not alone. And now, some state lawmakers are trying to do something about it.

Speed Limits to Increase in New York

New York Senators Thomas O’Mara and Bill Weber have introduced Senate Bill S1500, which would allow New York to raise the maximum speed limit to 70 MPH on specific roadways. The bill was submitted back in January and would amend current vehicle and traffic laws to make the higher limit possible.

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Before you get too excited, this wouldn’t mean every 65 MPH road automatically jumps to 70. The proposal would only apply to select stretches of highway that meet strict safety standards. Those determinations would be made by the New York State Department of Transportation and the Thruway Authority.

What Roads Would Be Affected?

While nothing is finalized, lawmakers say the change would focus on highways that are already engineered for higher speeds, including portions of Route 17 and parts of the New York State Thruway. These are limited-access roadways where traffic flow, visibility, and design may support a higher posted limit.

Supporters argue that many drivers already travel close to 70 MPH on these roads, and aligning the posted limit with real-world driving speeds could improve traffic flow. Of course, opponents will likely raise safety concerns, which is always part of the conversation whenever speed limits are discussed.

For now, the bill is in the Senate committee and will need to clear a few other hurdles before it's presented to the Governor for approval. If and when that happens, we will update this article.