Following is an overview of the laws, limits, and fines as they relate to speeding traffic violations in the state of Mississippi.
Speed limits in Mississippi
In 2008, Mississippi legislators approved a speed limit of up to 80 mph on toll roads. The catch is that as of 2016, no toll roads actually exist in the state.
70 mph: rural freeways and interstates
65 mph: four-lane divided highways
60 mph: portions of interstates and other freeways that pass through urban areas
45 mph: maximum speed for trucks and trucks with trailers during inclement weather
Residential and school speed limits are set by individual cities and counties, and are as posted.
School zone speed limits may vary according to district.
Mississippi code on reasonable and prudent speed
Maximum speed law:
According to section 63-3-501 of Mississippi vehicle code, “No person shall operate a vehicle on the highways of the state at a speed greater than 65 miles per hour.”
Minimum speed law:
Section 63-3-603(d) states, “A person driving at less than the normal speed of traffic shall drive in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.”
The minimum speed limit on Federal designated highways is 30 mph, when no hazard exists, and 40 mph on interstates and four-lane highways with a posted speed limit of 70 mph.
Due to variations in speedometer calibration, tire size, and margins of error in speed-detecting technology, it’s uncommon for an officer to pull a driver over for going less than five miles above the speed limit. However, technically any amount over can be considered a speed violation so best practices are to stay within the limit.
Due to Mississippi’s absolute speed limit law, it may be difficult to fight a speeding ticket. Drivers may, however, fight a citation by claiming innocence based on one of the following arguments:
The driver may oppose the determination of speed. In order to claim this defense a driver must know how his or her speed was determined and then learn how to disprove its accuracy.
A driver may claim that an emergency situation caused the driver to break the speed limit in order to prevent injury or damage to themselves or others.
The driver may claim a case of mistaken identity. If a police officer clocks a driver speeding and subsequently has to find them again in traffic, it’s possible that they could make a mistake and pull the wrong car over.
Penalty for exceeding the speed limit in Mississippi
First-time violators may:
Be fined up to $100
Be sentenced to up to 10 days of jail time
Have their license suspended (no specified period)
Penalty for reckless driving in Mississippi
There is no defined speed which is considered reckless driving in the state. This determination is made depending upon the circumstances of the violation.
First-time violators may:
Be fined between $5 and $100
Be sentenced to up to 90 days of jail time
Have their license suspended (no specified period)
Participating in traffic school in Mississippi may prevent a speeding violation from going on a driver’s record.
