Posted on 01/31/2013 5:54:51 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
This story was corrected on Jan. 29, 2013. An explanation follows the story.
The speed limit on the Intercounty Connector could reach 70 miles per hour if a bill, introduced during the General Assembly's current session, passes.
Del. Aruna Miller (D-Dist. 15) of Darnestown and Del. Neil Parrott (R-Dist. 2B) of Hagerstown are co-sponsoring the bill that would raise the maximum speed limit on interstates and expressways statewide from 65 to 70 miles per hour.
The speed limit on the ICC would automatically increase from 55 to 70 miles per hour if the bill is passed.
The Maryland Transportation Authority is currently conducting a study of single-vehicle accidents on the ICC to gauge whether raising the speed limit would be safe, the Gazette previously reported. The study is projected to be completed in February.
Miller said she believes the bill would pass regardless of the study's results because of increasing pressure — and repeated complaints — from constituents. The complaints are threefold.
“One, the posted speed limit is way too low,” she said. “Two, the toll is way too high. And three, the enforcement is excessive.”
Miller said ICC users should not be “penalized” for using the ICC by being ticketed for driving slightly above the current 55 mph speed limit.
“In all likelihood, I think people are going to go about 70 because that's what they feel comfortable doing,” she said.
A separate emergency bill, introduced by Sen. Jennie Forehand (D-Dist. 17) of Rockville, would raise the speed limit on the ICC to 60. MDTA spokesperson John Sales said the ICC is designed to accommodate a 60 mile per hour speed limit.
(Excerpt) Read more at gazette.net ...
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
Good! Going 55 on any highway today is just stupid. Make all highways at least 65 if not 70. Heck make it federally mandated that all highways have to be 70 or lose funding....it will save states from having to have all these committees and studies on roads.....And I am still for state’s rights but I like this law....lol. I guess I am being snarky a bit this morning.
The roads must be really bad back east.....Yeah, if they don’t have potholes big enough to swallow a VW, they have Jersey barriers and cops running radar in the construction zones. If that ain’t bad enough, they just shut down roads until they get around to having studies performed in the bridge sites to see if the red bellied turtle will get upset from the construction. We fixed the gov’t. around here. We ate the damned turtles.
Make it a Speed Suggestion instead of limit. Heck, I do.
The roads are bad but not as bad as the drivers *rimshot*
I’m still having trouble believing a Democrat said these words: ““One, the posted speed limit is way too low,” she said. “Two, the toll is way too high. And three, the enforcement is excessive.””
She will soon receive her order to report to political reeducation camp.
if you are doing less than 70 you’re likely to get run over anyway!
If you are suicidal, you can observe the 55 limit on I-285 around Atlanta.
70 is safer, as it is closer to the speed of traffic which at times seems to average about 85.
The only 85 mph speed limit I know of is on SH 130 between Seguin and Mustang Ridge in Texas.
OOPS I think it was 75 MPH north out of Denver on I25. Need more coffee.
At least in Maryland, it's not the roads that are bad it's the politicians. Welcome to the NannyState.
Maryland has always prided itself on using all of its resources to nail folks who are speeding. It's hilarious that they are actually wringing their hands over raising the speed limit on a brand new highway 5mph from 55 to 60.
What, Slow Drivers camp???
I really love the multiple police agencies on the freeways. Troopers, tunnel cops, completely unmarked vehicles. A Ford F150 is not a proper police vehicle and I may not pull over for it until a real cop in a real car shows up.
I think they should drop the nighttime toll from 10c/mile to 5c/mile, the daytime toll from 20c to 10c, and the rush hour toll from 25c to 15c. They’d get a lot more customers that way, especially if the speed limit goes up to 70.
I don’t think people will necessarily drive 70 on some stretches, because that road has some fairly winding curves on it.
“The Maryland Transportation Authority is currently conducting a study of single-vehicle accidents on the ICC”
They probably have a handful of them. I think the odds of an asteroid hitting the sun and taking it out is higher than two cars even seeing each other on that boondoggle, much less hitting each other.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.