Mississippi 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.
There is no trick to how Mississippi'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. Unless otherwise posted—and it often is—the absolute speed limit on Mississippi roadways is 65 miles per hour.
Notwithstanding the absolute limits, Mississippi's basic speeding law requires drivers to reduce their speed as appropriate when approaching crossings, curves, a hill crest, or when other road or weather conditions 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.
The cost of a speeding ticket in Mississippi depends on where the violation occurred and by how much the driver exceeded the speed limit. But generally, a speeding violation will run the driver anywhere from $150 to $300. And speeding violations in construction and school zones tend to be at the higher end of that range.
In some cases, a driver might have viable defenses to fight a speeding ticket. If the driver is successful, he or she won't have to worry about paying a fine.
Depending on the circumstances, a speeding violation can lead to a "reckless driving" conviction. And if a speeding violation results in the death of another person, it's possible to be convicted of vehicular manslaughter.