FARGO — The new 80 mph speed limit on North Dakota highways is two weeks old, and the Highway Patrol is seeing a significant drop in the number of drivers exceeding the limit.

Capt. Bryan Niewand said speeding violations are down 25% in the first two weeks of August, in part because drivers and troopers are adjusting to the higher limit.

“I think it is, because, again, it’s that feeling out period. People are just trying to feel out like, 'Do I feel comfortable traveling 80? Am I going to go 82? If I go 85, am I going to get stopped?' There’s just a lot of, like, unknowns right now,” Niewand said.

Citations have decreased from 2,000 to 1,500 in two weeks. Niewand said other factors, such as weather and the number of troopers patrolling, could also contribute to the lower numbers.

As dr

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