Agency votes today on 80 mph speed limit for portions of some toll roads across Oklahoma

Tulsa World ^ | July 28, 2020 | Barbara Hoberock

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority on Tuesday will consider raising the maximum speed limits to 80 mph on rural portions of some turnpikes.

The current maximum speed limit is 75 mph.

Among the areas proposed for the change is a 13-mile stretch of the Turner Turnpike in Creek County, from milepost 203 to milepost 216, within the newly constructed six-lane section that extends from Sapulpa to 6 miles east of Bristow.

The recent passage of House Bill 1071 set the stage for statewide studies on potential maximum speed limit increases to 80 mph on rural turnpikes and 75 mph on rural interstates that are not turnpikes.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and the Oklahoma Transportation Commission considered several factors, including roadway geometry, sight distance, collision history, traffic flows, tolling operations, roadway surface and existing speed patterns before making their recommendations.

Existing maximum speed limits in urban areas will not change but could be considered in the future.

“We appreciate that our legislators recognized safety concerns needed to be forefront in this process,” said Oklahoma Transportation Secretary Tim Gatz. “Any increase in speed limits on interstates or highways must be carefully considered to ensure safety, and it’s not just a one-size-fits-all approach.”

[dfwgator]

Which pretty much means you can go 100 MPH.

[TexasGunLover]

We’ve had it here in Texas for a while... seems fine.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

PING!

[AFB-XYZ]

Which pretty much means you can go 100 MPH.

Hell, they go 100 mph anyway. Especially on I-44 (the Turner Turnpike), between OKC and Tulsa. That's why I refuse to drive on it unless I have no other choice.

[Red Badger]

Autobahns for the USA!...................

[HamiltonJay]

Well realistically cops in my experience give a 10 mph leeway on interstates... if published is 65 anything under 75 isn’t likely to get pulled over unless you are driving recklessly...

Around urban centers where they keep the speed limits 55... most folks do 70 or more and rarely see anyone getting pulled over.

20 over the limit in other situations almost always will get you tagged, if there are cops around.

[Dr. Sivana]

Which pretty much means you can go 100 MPH.

I don't think that works as well in Oklahoma. No shortage of pulled over vehicles when I've driven through. I figured that was why the signs say "No Tolerance".

[dfwgator]

Isn’t most of Oklahoma Indian Reservations? They probably have a lot to do with that.

[HamiltonJay]

I believe Montana?? Or North Dakota?? or one of those states did not have formal speed limits on certain sections.. basically was at the discretion of law enforcement to decide if you were driving recklessly or going to fast for the weather conditions.

I could be wrong though

[glorgau]

But, but.... carbon!

[HamiltonJay]

The failure to enforce a minimum speed on interstates is as big if not a bigger problem than folks speeding IMHO.

If traffic flow is 75 mph and someone is puttering along at 50, they creat a dangerous situation.

[chaosagent]

They’ve had 85mph speed limits on west TX highways for a while.

[Red Badger]

Wyoming?......................

[TexasGator]

“Which pretty much means you can go 100 MPH.”

I was doing 100 on I-75 and got passed by a Prius. I let it go since my wife was with me.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

**the maximum speed limits to 80 mph on rural portions of some turnpikes. ***

We went to Tulsa a few months ago. I then noticed the Cherokee Turnpike had an 80 MPH sign already on them.

[Dr. Sivana]

I believe Montana??

It was Montana. See picture from 1999 below. Unfortunately some numbskull brought the case to court and it was determined that the standards were subjective, so they were eliminated.

Freeper BlackElk (R.I.P.) told me that the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut (nut exactly rural) had a similar speed limit way back ('50s?), until someone was clocked at 105, and went to court, claiming he was a professionally skilled driver, and that for him, 105 WAS reasonable and prudent. He beat the charge, CT changed the limit.

[9422WMR]

Here in Texas there is no rhyme or reason as to speed limits. Rural two lane paved roads with zero shoulder, 75 speed limit. Main rural highways with passing lanes, wide shoulders and three lanes over many miles, 70 speed limit. Bad thing is, these farm to market roads are frequently driven by semi trucks too. Remember the no shoulder thing? Downright scary!

[AFB-XYZ]

If traffic flow is 75 mph and someone is puttering along at 50, they creat a dangerous situation.

Couldn't agree more. Seems like every time I drive on Route 66 (speed limit is 65 mph in my locale), there's always some sightseer crawling along at around 45. Very annoying.

[mad_as_he$$]

I-80 in Nevada has large sections where the legal limit is 80 mph. Most consider it to be advisory.