Posted on 06/27/2005 8:37:42 PM PDT by Diddle E. Squat
Drivers in Texas, Iowa, and Indiana will enjoy higher speed limits next month as legislation raising the top speeds on rural roads takes effect.
On Friday, Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) signed HB 2257 into law making 80 MPH the maximum allowable speed in the state. Rural portions of I-10 and I-20 will enjoy the new top speed, while other rural roads could see the limit rise to 75 MPH. Both the state House and Senate adopted the legislation without opposition last month.
On July 1, a law signed by Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack (D) creating a 70 MPH speed limit goes into effect. This new limit better reflects the actual speed of cars on rural highways which averages 69.8 MPH according to sensors embedded into the pavement.
In May, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (R) signed SB 217 into law raising the maximum limit from 65 MPH to 70 MPH in areas with less than 50,000 population. The law also raises the limit for trucks from 60 to 65 MPH, and gives a 10 MPH boost to several roads currently posted at 55 MPH. The state will begin placing the higher-limit signs on July 5.
(Excerpt) Read more at thenewspaper.com ...
Montana is such an exception. I think that back in the early 80's they had no speed limit at all--then again, you could go hundreds of miles and not encounter another driver muchless a Highway Patrol officer to enforce a limit. Furthermore, the roads seemed pristine by comparison with more urban states and the terrain was a drag-racer's dream come true. Most notably, when driving that speed in that state, it didn't even feel fast but felt like you were finally going to get someplace you wanted to go. No need for road rage on the range.
We're all gonna die !!!!.....faster...:o)
lol!
I regularly drive my BMW Z3 at 90-100 mph in Florida, for hours at a stretch. I could do that all day, and so can the car, no sweat. Around 120 MPH it gets a bit tiring, though.
Gas mileage? Who cares? The gas mileage nannies can suck my, uh, exhaust.
"...I honestly couldn't see myself going any faster than that for any sustained length of time. I wonder what the average driver would do?..."
Extensive studies of the Autobahn have shown that drivers tend to settle around 130 k.p.h./80 m.p.h. as their "comfortable" driving speed. It allows them to reach their destination quickly and efficiently while using a reasonable amount of mental concentration.
Even with the opportunity to drive MUCH faster, most drivers won't do it because of the focused intensity of the task at hand. That is the fallacy of folks saying, "That if you magically increased the speed limit to 100 m.p.h. we would have people doing 120 m.p.h." in short order. The simple fact-of-the-matter is that folks "settle-in" to a rate of speed that is comfortable to the engineering of their car and the roadway upon which they're driving.
~ Blue Jays ~
Whos up for another Cannonball? :-)
We're in agreement about increased gas usage at higher speeds as it relates to wind resistance. It can be seen in "human terms" on a bicycle, too. To sustain a speed of 24 m.p.h. on a bicycle is TREMENDOUSLY more difficult than 20 m.p.h., even though it is a measly 4 m.p.h. difference.
~ Blue Jays ~
~ Blue Jays ~
I disagree with you on your intimation that higher speed on a straight, flat, boring road will lead to more crashes.
I think that the higher speed will reduce the boredom and inattention that artificially low speed limits generate.
This is from a guy who grew up on the prairies. Higher speeds reduce ennui, and force you to pay attention. Even now, with the limit on the 2 lane highway from the family farm to the nearest major city set at 65, I seldom drop below 80. With my mother in the truck.
Drunk drivers are the obvious exception, obviously.
It's an environmentalist site.
They can be trusted to give us accurate information regarding gas mileage, pollution and a return to the dark ages.
HIGHWAY gas mileage stickers are actually quite accurate.
Whatever they post on the sticker for highway speeds is tested at HIGHWAY SPEEDS... often 75 mph or so.
the 55 lie was a carter era attempt at cooling down the nations economy, cars were not aerodynamic as they are today, nor were they geared to wind as tight....
things are a LOT different.
the data being posted at enviro sites is propaganda.
I have a 90 Linclon Town Car, with a 5.0 lt V8. At 55-60, I get 22-23 mpg on the highway. At 70-75, I get 25-28mpg. I have an '04 Volvo xc90, and the mileage is not quite as good, though the car is 350# lighter. I use cruise control. I drive more than 50,000 miles per year.
Your studies were done by the same people that want you to abide by the Kyoto treaty, but would love to see you walking past their Benzes, and Beamers...
And his co-driver and two race officials.
Yes it was a very bad accident.
I hope the deceased are driving on the freeway of love right now in heaven.
Just pinging you to read posts about our part of the world that people know nothing about.
And your source for this unfounded speculation is?
In other words they got tired of enforcing the law.
On most highways here the semitruck limit is 5mph lower than the passenger vehicle limit. Some semi-tractor drivers can be overly aggressive and dangerous in their driving and I have had some scary encounters so I do sympathise with you.
Hopefully those truckers will wipe out the obnoxious folks who park their fat asses in the No. 1 lane and only go 55-60 MPH.
I totally agree.....and all cars should be relegated to the left lane. Too many morons driving 50mph in middle lane.
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