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Motorists in North Dakota would be able to go a little faster on interstates under a bill introduced by a state lawmaker.

Lonnie Laffen, R-Grand Forks, prefiled legislation to increase the speed limit on “access-controlled, paved and divided, multi-lane interstate highways” from 75 mph to 80 mph. He said it’s an effort to allow drivers to be more efficient on the roads, and pointed out vehicles have become safer over time.

“I think we can handle it now,” Laffen said Wednesday. He’s the chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.

The North Dakota Legislature will convene Jan. 3.

The bill comes about 13 years after North Dakota increased the interstate speed limit from 70 mph. Laffen’s bill would only affect Interstates 94 and 29, he said, and cities would still be able to reduce the limit within their borders.

Fargo Sen. Carolyn Nelson, the lone Democrat on the Transportation Committee, said she’d be willing to look at the legislation, but she said lawmakers should look into stiffer fines for speeders.

“It’s ridiculous what we charge for penalties,” Nelson said.