Wyoming Speeding Tickets and Penalties

Wyoming has two types of speeding laws: "absolute limits" and a "basic speeding law." This article explains the differences between the two and the consequences of a speeding violation.

Absolute Speed Limits

There's nothing complicated about how Wyoming's absolute speed limits work: If the absolute speed limit is 50 miles per hour and you drive faster than that, you've violated the law. Wyoming's absolute speed limits include:

• 20 miles per hour when passing a school building (with signs indicating reduced speed zone)
• 30 miles per hour in public business and residential districts
• 75 miles per hour on interstate highways, and
• 65 miles per hour on other paved roadways (55 miles per hour if unpaved).

Absolute speed limits will typically be posted.

Basic Speeding Law

In addition to absolute limits, Wyoming's basic speed law prohibits driving at a speed "greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing." The basic speeding law also requires drivers to reduce their speed as appropriate when approaching crossings, curves, a hillcrest, or other road or weather conditions that warrant the reduction.

In other words, motorists must always drive at a safe speed. What a safe speed is will depend on the circumstances. For instance, 55 miles per hour might be safe on a bright, sunny day. But if it's dark and the road is icy, going 55 miles per hour could be dangerous and a violation of the basic speeding law.

Speeding Ticket Fines

Speeding is a misdemeanor in Wyoming. Generally, a motorist faces the following fines for a speeding violation:

• Basic speed law. For a basic speed law violation, the fine is $85.
• One to five miles per hour over the limit. $65 plus $2 for each mile per hour over the limit.
• Six to ten miles per hour over the limit. $100 plus $7 for each mile per hour in excess of 5 miles per hour over the limit.
• 11 to 20 miles per hour over the limit. $155 plus $7 for each mile per hour in excess of 10 miles per hour over the limit.
• 21 or more miles per hour over the limit. $65 plus $7 for each mile per hour in excess of 20 miles per hour over the limit.

Depending on the situation there also could be viable ways of fighting your speeding ticket.

Reckless Driving and Vehicular Homicide

Depending on the circumstances, a speeding violation can lead to a "reckless driving" or "careless driving" conviction. And if a speeding violation results in the death of another person, it's possible to be convicted of "homicide by vehicle."