Exercise Caution Driving on I-465 Following Speed Limit Increases

The speed limit on I-465 in Indiana is now 65 mph, as of July 1, 2025. It was previously 55 mph. This increase is meant to improve the flow of traffic on the interstate, but higher speeds can result in more wrecks, and these wrecks are often more serious.

With this increased speed limit, drivers must face the fact that speeding and speed-related crashes are rather common. A national telephone survey conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in 2023 found that 49% of drivers drove 15 mph over the speed limit on the highway in the past month, and 36% drove 10 mph faster than the limit on residential streets. Furthermore, a total of 11,775 deaths, or 29% of all motor vehicle fatalities, in 2023 were from speed-related crashes.

Those driving on I-465 should drive with caution, traveling close to the speed limit and paying attention to their surroundings, including changes in signage, upcoming construction zones, and the vehicles around them. Safety is paramount when on the roads around others driving at high speeds because you risk your own life and the lives of others when you speed.

Crash Risks at High Speeds

Speeding and driving at high speeds increase the risk of wrecks, no matter what the posted speed limit is. However, the higher the posted limit, the more likely people are to drive at high speeds.

Traveling at high speeds leads to higher risks of wreck because drivers have less time to react to an emergency, in addition to needing larger distances to stop or slow down their vehicle to prevent collision. When the accident involves a semi-truck or other heavy truck, the stopping distance necessary becomes even larger, as well as the amount of crash energy in a wreck. It also becomes more likely that any evasive steering maneuvers may result in loss of control. For semi-trucks, this can cause the driver to hit multiple vehicles.

Wrecks are also more deadly because modest speed increases cause large increases in force and crash energy. Restraint systems, like airbags and seatbelts, have limits to the amount of crash energy that can be managed. The faster the vehicle, the more it inhibits the protection these devices offer. This increases the risks of severe injuries and death.

How Speed Limits Effect Safety

Speed limit laws are typically the responsibility of the states. However, the national maximum speed limit that was established in the 1970s and 1980s basically created maximum limits of 55 mph across the country. Following its repeal in 1995, states have been raising their posted limits.

Currently, maximum speed limits in the United States range from 60 mph to 85 mph depending on the state. These higher limits are typically on highways, considering different types of roadways require different maximums.

After the repeal of the national maximum speed limits, the number of people driving faster than the speed limit increased, as well as deaths related to speeding. A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highways Safety to look at the long-term changes that resulted from the repeal found that between 1993 – 2017, a 5 mph maximum state speed limit increase correlated with an 8% increase in fatalities on interstates. Overall, an estimated 37,000 more traffic fatalities occurred during this period than would be predicted if the limits from 1993 remained in place.

As a method of setting speed limits for certain roads, traffic engineers usually rely on the 85^th percentile speed, or the speed that 85% of vehicles drive at or below when conditions are free flowing. More recently, traffic engineers have emphasized the need to consider other facts, like roadway design, context, and prevalence of pedestrians and bicyclists. Ultimately, only relying on 85^th percentile speeds can cause issues because it is a moving target. As you increase speed limits, a new, higher 85^th percentile speed emerges.

Wrecks Caused by Speeding

While you may feel inclined to drive over the speed limit, even after it is increased, it risks the safety of yourself and everyone else on the roads.

If you or someone you know has been in an accident caused by speeding, reach out to Craig, Kelley & Faultless for a free consultation. Our 10 attorneys are experienced representing truck wreck victims in Indiana and across the United States.

Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared and have the experience to help victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. Both attorneys David W. Craig and Scott A. Faultless are board-certified in truck accident law by the NBTA, accredited by the American Bar Association. The firm also has a rapid response team that works with investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics who immediately collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired.

Their team-centered approach puts client needs at the forefront, and several attorneys will work on your case to achieve the best possible outcome.

Reach out for a free case consultation today at (800) 746-0226 or online.

David W. Craig is board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, accredited by the American Bar Association in Truck Accident Law. He sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.