Posted on 08/31/2011 8:14:18 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
New laws regulating speed limits on state highways in Texas are beginning to take effect. Some speed limits will increase.
Gov. Perry signed House Bill 1353, which takes effect today. This legislation allows the Texas Department of Transportation to create a 75-mph speed limit on any state highway found to be reasonable and safe through a speed study.
TxDOT will be reviewing existing 70-mph limits to determine where a 75-mph speed limit may be safely posted.
HB 1353 also eliminates the 65-mph nighttime speed limit and all truck speed limits. On Sept. 1, the existing nighttime and truck speed limits are repealed and no longer enforceable.
TxDOT awarded maintenance contracts in August to remove the nighttime and truck speed limit signs and is also in the process of hiring consultants to perform the required speed studies needed to implement the higher speed limits.
The state will be removing the existing nighttime speed limit signs, truck speed limit signs, and evaluating approximately 50,000 miles of state highway with a current 70-mph speed limit.
However, any increases in speed limits are not officially in effect until the physical signs are installed.
Speed limits in Texas are set by the 85th percentile method, which represents the speed the majority of drivers are traveling at or below. This is a sound engineering principle used to set speed limits on highways nationwide for the past 60 years, say state officials.
The existing 65-mph night and truck speed limit signs should be removed by the end of this year. The complete evaluation of the state highway system and posting of all new 75-mph speed limits should be complete by early 2013.
For more information: www.txdot.gov
Is Chuy’s still there and working? Loved that John Madden room with the painting of Jesus looking over the town and restaurant.
When I drive Kerville to Ft. Stockton I go 89 all the way with no problems.
Lol!!!!
I posted a full 2 paragraphs about I-10 before I remembered it was about non-Interstate Highways and deleted it before I posted :)
What I was going to say is that I-10 is known as the loneliest highway in USA ;)
Hometown is Odessa, but lived much of my life in a small town right off of I-10 ;)
Honestly, I would love to go back there with my rifle (any of them) and go jackrabbit hunting again.. used to do it daily :))
No, it’s no *separate* limit for trucks. Prior to this, trucks had a separate and lower speed limit on most Texas highways, often 5-10mph lower than the regular limit.
This had obvious problems, especially when one truck is trying to pass another while trying to stay below the limit. The new law abolishes truck-specific speed limits and says that they simply have to obey the exact same limit as everyone else on the road.
Do they still have a 3 limit on miniatures of liquor? You know the amount you can safely drink between the liquor store and home.
A few random thoughts...
Posted daytime speed limit in Montana on the highways (before the Nixon imposed 55 mph limt) “Reasonable and Prudent”.
Maybe these changes in Texas will keep the local gendarmes away from hiding in the underpass medians and start fighting real crime.
Waiting for the usual suspects to start the shilling about the coming “Bloodbath” on our highways in 3..2..1
I don't think drunks are paying too much particular attention to speed limit signs as they are probably too busy just trying to keep it netween the lines.
Yep,and going strong. The food’s a little “pricey” but it’s good and plenty.
If your car uses more fuel at 70 MPH than at 60 MPH but you get to your destination in 10% less time going 70MPH then the car going 70MPH uses the same amount.
90 is the “Magic Number” for the DPS but watch those local boys around Junction. I have a feeling you’re fudging a little. Between Sheffield and Ft Stockton it’s “let her eat”:)
Actually, I got a friend or two in Junction PD but haven’t had to call on them. The cruise control is your friend then after Sonora Caverns I usually will push my luck here and there. Really glad about not having to worry about the stupid night speed limit, though.
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.