The Missouri Senate has approved a bill to raise the speed limit in rural areas from 70 to 75 miles per hour, sparking debate among residents and experts. Supporters argue that modern vehicle safety features and speed limit increases in neighboring states justify the change, while opponents express concerns about potential safety risks. Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggests that higher speed limits are associated with more crashes and fatalities, with a 5-mph increase linked to an 8-percent rise in the fatality rate on high-speed roads. The bill will now move to the Missouri House for further consideration.