What is a safe speed to drive your car?

Have you ever wondered what’s considered the safest speed for your car? Insurance companies and state authorities often tell drivers to drive at safe speeds. But what does that mean?

Don’t worry – we’re here to explain what it means to drive at a safe speed.

Our guide explains what safe speeds are, state speeding limits, and how car insurance responds to speeding tickets. Also, we’ll show you why driving safely provides the best car insurance discounts.

Read on to learn more about the safe speed to drive your car. Use our free quote tool above if you’re ready to compare multiple insurance companies in your area.

What is a safe speed to drive your car?

The safest speed to drive on a rural highway is 55 mph when there’s no speed limit posted on the interstate. But if you’re on residential roads, a safe speed is between 10 and 25 mph.

A designated speed limit is the safest speed to drive. However, specific situations may adjust the speed limit to lower speeds.

Let’s examine a few examples of restrictive speed limits.

• 25 mph in residential streets or school zones
• 55 mph for rural highways
• 70 mph for rural interstate highways

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), these speed limits are for most states’ statutory speed limits.

But what about other road types? Check out the table below to see more examples of speed limits on specific roads.

Federal Highway Administration Speed Limits

Reducing your speed may be unsavory to drivers who like to drive a few miles over the speed limit, but driving slower can decrease your risk of getting into an accident.

While safe speeds are debatable among various drivers, a safe speed to drive your car per the DMV is the safest way to operate a motor vehicle. But a safe speed to drive your car per the DMV in New York isn’t the same as Hawaii or Texas.

What are the speed limits for each state?

Every state has speed limit laws for highways and interstates. Roads are identified differently, and each has various speed limits.

Let’s look at speed limits from multiple states.

Speed Limit Laws by State

Washington D.C. has some of the lowest speed limits in the United States. Meanwhile, Montana, Oklahoma, and South Dakota have some of the highest speed limits in the nation.

How much are car insurance rates after a speeding ticket?

The best auto insurance companies issue higher rates if you have a speeding ticket. But the increase isn’t as expensive as it appears.

Let’s look at the average monthly rates impacted by speeding infractions from the top insurance companies in the United States.

Full Coverage Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record and Provider

USAA has the cheapest rates, but USAA car insurance is only available to military veterans and their immediate families. Therefore, the average driver won’t get access to USAA insurance policies.

But Geico, Nationwide, Progressive, and American Family are excellent companies you should consider. State Farm is also a good company in most states.

Why do car insurance companies care about how fast I drive?

Auto insurance companies prefer safe drivers because they’re less likely to file an insurance claim. Drivers who have a history of speeding have more expensive car insurance rates.

If you happen to have a clean driving record, you can secure more affordable auto insurance rates. Also, insurance companies provide deals for safe and defensive drivers.

You can save at least 20% off your car insurance rates when you qualify for defensive and safe driver discounts.

What are the important rules of defensive driving?

When you want to make a right turn, your car must be at a reduced speed to prevent an accident.

Also, one of the rules of defensive driving is letting other drivers pass when they need to merge.

Always yield to oncoming traffic, even when the light is green. Wait for drivers who want to race the traffic light to prevent car accidents.

Case Studies: Safe Speeds to Drive Your Car

Case Study 1: Alex’s Rural Highway Commute

Alex lives in a rural area with a speed limit of 65 mph on the interstate. However, he chooses to drive at a safe speed of 55 mph to reduce the risk of accidents. By driving at a lower speed, Alex ensures better control of his vehicle and decreases the severity of potential collisions. This cautious approach to driving helps him maintain a clean driving record and keep his car insurance rates affordable.

Case Study 2: Emily’s Residential Road Awareness

Emily frequently drives through residential areas where the speed limit is 25 mph. She understands the importance of adhering to safe speeds in these neighborhoods to prioritize the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. By driving at the recommended speed, Emily minimizes the risk of accidents and demonstrates responsible driving behavior, which can help her qualify for car insurance discounts.

Case Study 3: Mike’s Adjusted Speed on Restricted Roads

Mike often encounters roads with lower speed limits due to specific circumstances, such as construction zones or school zones. He recognizes the importance of adapting his speed to these restricted areas to ensure the safety of road workers and schoolchildren.

By obeying the posted speed limits in these zones, Mike demonstrates his commitment to safe driving practices and avoids potential traffic violations and associated insurance rate increases.

Safe Speed to Drive Your Car: The Bottom Line

The safest speed to drive depends on the speed limit. Reducing your speed limit by a few miles per hour is safe, but driving too slowly could cause traffic issues.

Therefore, you should move to another lane or pull over to help keep traffic flowing.

Maintaining the speed limit also reduces the chances of getting into an accident or getting a speeding violation.

The safest drivers in the United States usually pay the least for car insurance, but rates vary for each driver.

Now that you know more about a safe speed to drive your car, enter your ZIP code in the free online quote tool below to compare multiple insurance companies near you.