North Dakota speed limit changes shift traffic citation patterns

Recent changes to North Dakota's interstate speed limits have resulted in a shift in traffic enforcement patterns. Following the implementation of an 80 mph top speed limit on August 1, 2025, state troopers reported fewer speeding tickets on stretches where limits increased.

However, areas where speed limits were reduced from 75 mph to 70 mph have seen a significant rise in citations. In Dickinson, the number of tickets more than tripled compared to the previous year, totaling 223 citations. Grand Forks also saw more than double the amount of tickets in its reduced-speed zone. While Jamestown experienced a slight increase, Valley City saw a decrease in citations.

State Representative Ben Koppelman, who sponsored the bill for the 80 mph limit, criticized the new 70 mph zones, describing the Dickinson area as a “speed trap.” The North Dakota Department of Transportation maintains that the lower limits in Dickinson, Grand Forks, Jamestown, and Valley City are necessary due to traffic congestion during peak commute times and specific road curvatures.