Anderson Injury Lawyers | August 4, 2025 | Truck Accident
When a commercial truck is involved in a wreck, one of the first questions many might ask is: Was the driver speeding? Determining how fast a truck can safely travel in Texas is more complicated than checking a speedometer reading.
Keep reading to learn more about what the legal speed limits are in Texas, factors that can affect what is considered to be a safe speed, and what can happen if a commercial truck exceeds these limits.
What Are the Legal Speed Limits for Commercial Trucks in Texas?
Under Texas law, commercial trucks must follow the same posted speed limits as passenger cars at the same time and place. This applies to big rigs, semi‑tractors, and light trucks engaged in compensated transport.
Texas law typically allows posted limits up to 70 mph on most highways statewide. The limit may go up to 85 mph on certain interstate segments if traffic and engineering studies find it safe and reasonable. For example, the stretch of State Highway 130 between State Highway 45 and I‑10 has a posted 85 mph limit, one of the highest in the country.
When Should a Commercial Truck Drive Below the Legal Speed Limit?
Even if a truck is within the posted limit, it may still be unsafe under real‑world conditions. Safety may require drivers to travel at reasonable and prudent speeds for the present traffic, weather, visibility, and road conditions.
Here are some conditions that could make it safer for a commercial truck driver to travel below the posted speed limit:
- Longer stopping distance: Heavy trucks take much more distance to stop, even in dry conditions.
- Reduced maneuverability: Trucks are less able to adjust to sudden obstacles when traveling at higher speeds.
- Limited visibility: Night, rain, fog, work zones, or steep curves can make the posted limit unsafe.
A driver could be liable for driving at a negligent speed relative to these situational hazards, even if the speed wasn’t over the limit.
Special Situations: Work Zones & “Move Over or Slow Down” Rules
The safe speed standard is even more rigorous for trucks operating in construction zones or near roadside workers. They must obey posted work‑zone limits, move‑over provisions, and adjust speed for safety.
Texas has a strict “Move Over or Slow Down” law requiring drivers to either change lanes or reduce speed by 20 mph below the posted limit when passing emergency vehicles, utility workers, Texas Department of Transportation crews, or tow trucks with activated lights.
Violations can result in fines up to $1,250 on first offense and up to $4,000 or jail time in injury or repeat cases.
What Can Happen if a Commercial Truck Drives Too Fast?
Trucks traveling at an unsafe speed are at a higher risk of causing various types of accidents, including:
- Jackknife accidents
- Roll-over wrecks
- Underride crashes
- Rear-end collisions
- Side-swipe accidents
- Head-on collisions
- T-bone accidents
By traveling at a safe speed for the present conditions, truck drivers might be able to avoid causing some wrecks.
Contact Our Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers for Help After a Wreck
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
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