Under what conditions is expressway speed reduced from 70 to 55 mph?

• A. Urban areas with high traffic volumes, merging traffic, and curves
• B. Rural areas with few vehicles
• C. During light rain only
• D. In all weather conditions at all times

Answer: (D)

Speed limits on expressways are lowered where driving conditions require extra caution. In urban areas with heavy traffic, frequent merging from on-ramps, and curves, the 55 mph limit is often posted to give drivers more time to react to weaving traffic, slower merges, and turning vehicles. This makes the roadway safer despite the higher baseline speed.

Rural areas with few vehicles generally don’t need such reductions because sight distances are longer and conflicts are fewer. Reductions due to weather aren’t automatic everywhere or all the time; signs indicate slowdowns when conditions demand it, but a blanket rule of reducing in all weather or only in light rain isn’t correct.