Is it OK to break the speed limit to keep up with traffic? What Kansas, Missouri laws say

You see the speed limit signs posted all over Kansas and Missouri highways. If you’re a cautious driver, you might try to always stay under that limit.

But what if the cars in front of you are moving too slow and you need to accelerate past them? Or if all the cars around you are going faster and you have to exceed the speed limit just to keep up?

Is it legal to go faster than the speed limit to keep up with the flow of traffic? And can you be cited for going too slow?

Here’s what a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper, a traffic lawyer and Kansas and Missouri laws say.

Should drivers keep up with the speed of traffic?

You should be cautious of your surroundings — rush hour, rain or other weather events — but you should always follow the speed limit, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesperson Corporal Justin Ewing.

Ewing said driving faster than the posted speed limits on signs is a violation, even if it’s just 1 mph over. That means if you get caught going 56 mph in a 55 mph zone, an officer can pull you over and cite an infraction. The penalties get more severe for drivers exceeding the speed limit by 6 mph or more.

Drivers can also receive infractions if they’re going too slow. Missouri has minimum speed limits on its highways, and Ewing said you could be cited for impeding traffic if an officer pulls you over for your speed.

Kansas state statute K.S.A. 8-1561 says:

“No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.”

Aimee Gromowsky, an attorney in Kansas City who focuses on traffic, said she’s never represented anyone who’s received a ticket for going too slow, but someone could get written up for careless and imprudent driving.

WHAT ARE THE SPEED LIMITS IN KANSAS AND MISSOURI?

The Kansas Highway Patrol has posted these maximum speed limits:

• 75 mph on rural segments of freeway with a 40 mph minimum
• 75 mph on the Kansas Turnpike, unless otherwise posted, with a 40 mph minimum
• 70 mph on some improved highways in rural areas
• 65 mph on improved two-lane highways
• 55 mph on two-lane paved highways, unless otherwise posted
• 30 mph in residential areas, unless otherwise posted

Kansas law requires drivers to follow other vehicles at a reasonable and prudent distance, considering the speed of the vehicles and the condition of the roadway.

Missouri speed limits are similar:

• 70 mph maximum on Interstates, like I-70, I-35 I-435 and some rural state numbered routes with four lanes.

• 65 mph maximum on U.S. Highways, like US-50

• 60 mph maximum on state-numbered routes, like MO-291

• 55 mph on state-lettered routes.

These speed limits can be lower in urban areas with higher traffic, according to Missouri Highway Patrol.

Ewing said counties can set speed limits for their county roads and can set general speed limits for roads when signs are not posted.

“It’s always best to drive a speed slow enough to manage the conditions of the roadway,” Ewing said.

This story was originally published August 15, 2023 at 1:19 PM.

Joseph Hernandez

The Kansas City Star

Joseph Hernandez joined The Kansas City Star’s service journalism team in 2021. A Cristo Rey Kansas City High School and Mizzou graduate, he now covers trending topics and finds things for readers to do around the metro.