CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina lawmakers are pushing to improve traffic flow on the state's highways.
Earlier this week, a bipartisan bill was introduced to increase the maximum permissible speed limit on interstates from 70 mph to 75 mph.
The move is raising questions about whether the increase in speed is safe for roadways.
A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found an increase of 5 mph in the state speed limit could result in an 8.5% increase in fatality rates on interstates and freeways.
Those behind the bill believe it can save time and help with business.
A North Carolina businesswoman says she can see both sides of this issue.
Clarissa Rankin is well-known for being a celebrity trucker and social media influencer.
In 2024, she made a shift in careers, opening Road Knowledge Training Academy in Gastonia. She’s a CDL Class A instructor, helping people reach their career dreams.
“I decided to change my transportation into education,” Rankin said. “I started the school about a year ago. What I love most about it is watching a person get their CDL, and I know it’s going to change their life. I love to see the joy on their face.”
Rankin says safety on the highways is top priority, and it’s important for drivers to be aware of their surroundings on the roads.
When it comes to the speed limit increasing from 70 mph to 75 mph, she sees the pros and cons of the move.
"It's kind of a good and bad thing especially when it comes down to safety,” Rankin said. “People can go slow and that can cause an accident, especially with [our trucks] weighing 80,000 pounds. It can be a good thing because it keeps the flow of traffic moving steady.”
"But it’s always people that can take advantage of it,” Rankin said.
Regardless of what happens with the speed proposal, Rankin says she'll be teaching her students to take speed and safety on the roads seriously.
“The main impact it would have in the classroom is educating the students more on how you have to look out for the drivers. We are the professionals on the road and the drivers outside of CDL — they follow us. Our average speed is 68 mph, so we want to make sure we be mindful of [the possible] speed increase,” Rankin said.
Although the proposed speed increase bill does have bipartisan support, it remains unclear when or if this bill will move forward.
