From 85 mph highways to 15 mph school zones, Texas speed limit laws are as varied as the state itself. Understanding these laws is crucial not just for avoiding tickets, but for preventing serious accidents. This complete 2025 guide breaks down everything you need to know about Texas speed limit laws, including recent changes that affect neighborhoods, work zones, and how negligence is determined after a crash.
The Basics of Texas Speed Laws
Texas has a maximum established speed limit of 70 miles per hour, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). TxDOT allows local city and state governments to adjust the speed limit up to 85 mph in areas where highway design supports higher speeds. Texas Transportation Code §545.351 requires drivers to adjust their speed to accommodate real-time conditions, such as:
- Adverse weather and its impact on road surfaces
- Heavily trafficked areas
- Construction zones
- Accident scenes
The basic speed limit rule establishes a maximum driving speed under normal road conditions. The law indicates that individuals must drive at speeds that are reasonable and safe, taking into account the immediate environment.
No Minimum Speed Limit in Texas
There are no speed limit laws in Texas establishing a minimum speed limit. However, drivers cannot operate a vehicle at a speed that impedes the normal and reasonable flow of traffic, as stated in Texas Transportation Code §545.363. Transportation Code also establishes these slower speed limits in specific areas and for certain vehicles:
- 30 mph on streets in urban areas
- 15 mph in alleyways
- 15 mph on beaches
- 60 mph for school buses passing specific motor vehicle inspections
- 50 mph for school buses not passing specific inspections or traveling on highways not numbered by the US or the state
Impeding traffic flow by driving too slowly in the left lane can create traffic hazards. Obstructing traffic may also result in fines up to $200.
Variable Speed Limits Exist in Some Texas Cities
TxDOT’s implementation of a variable speed limit (VSL) (Pg. 4) allows real-time road data to be collected and used to adjust speed limits temporarily based on driving conditions. The speed limit at the time of a car accident in a variable speed zone will play a role in determining negligence in a Texas car accident.
The TxDOT El Paso District is one of the first cities in Texas to use VSL to lower speed limits by up to 10 mph below the posted speed limits. The VSL system in El Paso is located on US 54, between Cassidy Road and I-10, on the southbound lanes.
VSL strives to minimize car accidents in Texas, where localized events can suddenly impact traffic. VSL is the result of a 133-car pile-up on I-35 in Fort Worth, resulting in the death of 6 individuals, according to an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Move Over or Slow Down Laws Increase Penalties for Speeding
Drivers who cause serious injuries when failing to move over or slow down upon encountering workers along the roadside now face significant fines and even jail time. The law aims to protect emergency responders, roadside workers, construction zone crews, animal control officers, and law enforcement personnel working in areas with high traffic volumes.
Requirements for Drivers
Updates to the law require drivers to:
- Move out of the lane closest to work vehicles and workers on the side of the road
- Reduce speeds to 20 mph below the speed limit when switching lanes is not possible
- Slow down to 5 mph when speed limits in an area are 25 mph or less
- Remain on the lookout for tow trucks, utility service workers, animal control officers, and parking enforcement employees
Penalties for Violations
Fines for the first offense range up to $1,250. Drivers may face fines of up to $4,000 and potential jail time for causing a serious injury or death. Speeding is a significant factor in accidents occurring in Texas work zones.
Breaking Speed Limit Laws in Texas School Zones is Costly
Speed Limits and Restrictions
School zone speed limits are generally set at a minimum speed. Local municipalities have the authority to adjust school zone speed limits according to a community’s specific needs. Speed limits may decrease to as low as 15 mph.
Fines and Penalties
The following fines and penalties may apply for violating Texas school zone speed limits:
- Doubled fines
- Up to $200 in fees for using a cell phone in an active school zone
- An additional $25 court fee
Regardless of your speed, failing to stop for a school bus in Texas can cost drivers up to $1250 in fines. Drivers can face a license suspension. Jail time may occur depending on the severity of the incident and other convictions on a driver’s record.
Exceptions Exist to Texas Speed Limit Laws
Emergency vehicles responding to an incident may potentially exceed the speed limit as long as they do not present a danger to others. Each municipality within Texas can establish ordinances creating specific speed limits for responders.
The right to exceed the speed limit in emergencies is not unlimited. Responders still must exercise reasonable caution when using excessive speeds (Texas Transportation Code §545.365).
Newer Speed Limit Laws Impact Some Texas Neighborhoods
Municipalities in Texas recently gained the right to lower speed limits in neighborhoods when local governing bodies determine that the current speed limit is unsafe, under companion bills H.B. 5253 and S.B. 2725, known as the Safe Neighborhood Streets bill. Decreasing speed limits below 20 mph is not allowable. No highway studies are necessary to implement these changes.
Next Steps: Protecting Your Rights Under Texas Speed Laws
Understanding and following Texas speed limit laws is your first line of defense against accidents and liability. However, when other drivers violate these laws and cause crashes, the consequences can be life-changing.
If you’ve been injured in a speed-related accident, proving negligence often hinges on demonstrating violations of these specific traffic laws. The experienced attorneys at [Firm Name] understand how to investigate speed-related crashes, gather crucial evidence like VSL data and traffic camera footage, and build strong cases that establish liability.
Don’t let speeding drivers undermine your safety and financial security. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options and protect your rights.
Texas Speed Limit Laws
Understanding Texas speed regulations is essential for safe driving and avoiding violations. This reference table summarizes key speed limits across different road types and situations.
| Location/Vehicle Type | Standard Speed Limit | Key Exceptions & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Highways (Maximum) | 70 mph | Up to 85 mph on designated roads with appropriate engineering studies |
| Urban Streets | 30 mph | Lower limits may apply in school zones, business districts, or residential areas |
| Alleyways | 15 mph | No exceptions – standard statewide |
| Beaches | 15 mph | Local ordinances may establish different limits on specific beaches |
| School Buses (inspected) | 60 mph | Applies only on US/state numbered highways when passing specific inspections |
| School Buses (uninspected) | 50 mph | Applies to all roads for buses not passing inspections or not on numbered highways |
| School Zones | Varies (Typically 15-25 mph) | Active during specific hours; fines are doubled for violations |
| Work Zones | Posted limit | Move Over law requires reducing speed by 20 mph below limit or changing lanes |
| Neighborhood Streets | 30 mph (default) | Municipalities can now lower to 20 mph under Safe Neighborhood Streets bill |
| Variable Speed Limit Zones | Adjusted in real-time | Can be lowered by up to 10 mph below posted limits based on conditions |
Texas Speed Limit Laws and Determining Negligence in Car Accident Claims
Violating these laws is most often a small civil offense that results in a citation or ticket, but it can have more lasting consequences.
In most cases, abiding by Texas speed limit laws is part of your duty of care to others on the road. If a driver violates these laws and causes an accident, they are often more likely to face liability for it. This liability makes a driver responsible for covering the costs of any damages or injuries they cause.
