‘Rural speed limit’ increase, trucker English proficiency, 5-year registration option signed into law by Kehoe

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe on Monday signed a slew of bills into law, including one that can increase the speed limit on rural roads.

Kehoe’s office announced in a Monday press release that the governor signed Senate Bill 1408. The bill allows the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and the Missouri Department of Transportation to raise speed limits from 70 miles per hour to 75 mph on rural interstates and freeways.

Additionally, the law cuts the requirements for safety inspections on passenger vehicles and now extends the option to buy five-year registration tags for $45. Previously, tags were capped at two years.

SB 1408 also states that commercial motor vehicle operators must “be able to read and 2 speak the English language sufficiently to: (1) Converse with the general public; (2) Understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language; (3) Respond to official inquiries; and (4) Make entries on reports and records.”

The bill states a driver who is in violation of the language proficiency requirements will be prohibited from driving a commercial vehicle in the state. The provision was debated after a high-profile wrong way driver incident occurred in Lincoln County.

Additionally, the bill also stops new Kansas City Chiefs plates from being issued in the state. Vehicles with the Chiefs plates currently on them are allowed to continue to use them until the plates expire.