What is the maximum speed limit on highways outside a thickly settled or business district?

The maximum speed limit on highways outside a thickly settled or business district is typically set at 50 mph. This standard is in place to provide a balance between safety and efficiency on roadways that are less congested compared to urban areas. The reasoning behind this speed limit is to minimize the risk of accidents while allowing for increased mobility. Roads located outside of densely populated areas often have less traffic and more open space, making a higher speed limit reasonable, but public safety considerations influence the regulation to keep it at a moderate level.

The speed limit is established to ensure that drivers can react appropriately to unforeseen hazards, such as wildlife crossing or other vehicles entering the roadway. Enforcing a 50 mph limit thus aids in maintaining a safe driving environment while allowing for reasonable travel speeds on less urban highways.