Is speeding to pass a vehicle legal in Mississippi? Here’s what the law says 

Speeding on the road is tempting, especially if you’re running late to work or just need to get somewhere faster than the person in front of you.

So if you get behind a slow-poke, can you legally speed to pass them? Even just a tad bit? Let’s see what the law says:

Is it legal to speed in order to pass a vehicle on the road in Mississippi?

According to the law in Mississippi, speeding for any reason is illegal and will most likely get you in trouble with law enforcement.

According to the DrivingLaws blog, Mississippi has “absolute” speeding laws.

“Mississippi’s absolute speed limits are straightforward: If you drive faster than the absolute speed, you’ve violated the law,” as stated in the blog. Typically, speed limits will be posted on road signs, but generally, here are the speed limits:

• 15 miles per hour in school zones
• 25 miles per hour in residential areas
• 55 miles per hour on undivided roads
• 65 miles per hour on divided roads
• 70 miles per hour on interstate highways

All in all, if you want to legally pass someone on the road, be sure to do so in accordance with speeding laws.

But speeding laws aren’t the only restrictions you need to be aware of when passing a vehicle on the road.

Here are some other things to know:

Other passing laws to know about in Mississippi

Passing can get tricky on the road and there are several things to know about passing on a curvy road, on bridges and more.

According to the law in Mississippi:

• No one should drive on the left side to pass unless the left side is fully visible and clear of oncoming traffic.

• In every event, the overtaking vehicle must return to the right-hand side of the roadway before coming within 100 feet of any vehicle coming the opposite way.

In addition, passing is illegal:

• When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where the driver’s view along the highway is obstructed;
• When approaching within 100 feet of any marked or readily distinguishable bridge, viaduct or tunnel on any roadway other than a four-lane roadway;
• When approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any marked or readily distinguishable intersection or railroad grade crossing; and
• When official signs are in place directing that traffic keep to the right, or a distinctive center line is marked.

Have more questions? Let me know at cmadden@mcclatchy.com

This story was originally published July 17, 2025 at 10:16 AM.

Chelsea Madden

The Telegraph

Chelsea is a service journalism reporter who began working for McClatchy in 2022. She was born and raised in Middle Georgia and lives in Forsyth. She attended Wesleyan College for undergrad and a few years after that, went to SCAD for an MFA in writing. Outside of work, Chelsea likes to watch Netflix, read books in the thriller genre and chase her toddler around.