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 ...
Recently went back to Ohio from Oklahoma and traveled I-44 to I-70. What a pain after getting to Illinois and the speed decreased. I came back to OK through KY/TN/AR -- much more scenic and a lot more driver friendly! Also more hotels and rest areas! I love the SOUTH!
Awesome. Too bad my upcoming roadtrip takes me through Texas on I-40. But there's always next year. :-)
BS. The problem isn't the high speeds, it's the differential in speeds (and corresponding backup) that are created by 1) artificially low speed limits, and 2) constantly changing speed limits.
As for semi-trucks, they should be restricted to the two right hand lanes on a three lane road. I believe this is the case for most of the US interstate system that has 3 lanes.
I do not know what kind of car you have but most modern ones get their optimal fuel efficiency in the 70-75 MPH zone, and have for some time. The current class of 250-300HP engines will give you almost 30 MPG when cruising at 70 MPH, and about 25 MPG at 60 MPH. It is all in the gearing and torque bands.
"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."
70 MPH should be in the range most rural highway speed limits should be , but 80 MPH is a bit high IMO.
When I travel across this country I stay in the 70 to 75 MPH range most often and very rarely does someone pass me. I tend to spend alot of time in and out of the inside lane, passing slower cars on the right.
The problem now is how this new speed limit will be enforced. I am guessing no more 10 MPH buffer zone with the troopers.
It won`t change my driving habits with these new limits, but I am afraid some people will think it will now be safe to do 85-90 with an 80 MPH speed limit. Looks like I will have to watch my rearview mirror a little closer now in some of these states.
Yeah, but there's something refreshing about driving through the great, unpopulated expanses of the Midwest...It's boring, don't get me wrong, but it gives you a great chance to clear your mind and escape commercialism (billboards).
Well, they have done studies on this i believe 55 is the most efficient use of gas. I like the idea of higher speeds but it seems like the wrong time. Maybe if they actually cut the speeds BACK to 55 then we could put enough pressure on the politicians to get tough on the Saudis :D
Once you get to New Mexico, the speed limit's 75. Which is good. There's alotta nuthin' in New Mexico. ;-)
I like Kansas because we take care of our roads.
It is annoying that there is never a time when there is no construction on the interstate, but oh well.
Missouri just flat sucks at keeping up their roads.
Hell is driving on a Missouri road. Rocky and they never keep up the roads it seems until they are about to fall apart.
Whether 80 or 75, it pays to be cautious on I-10 in West Texas. There are apparently at-grade intersections on that part of the road.
yea and MOST cars fit that description....
Texas has weird speed limits. IIRC, the speed limits are either the same or higher on undivided two-lane highways than they are on the interstate. The interstate speed limit there at night was 55 MPH the last time I drove through, which is ridiculous.
Under good driving conditions, 80 is not too fast at all.
There are highways in the West where the posted limit is 75 and you will never get a ticket for going 90. Looooooong flat highways with very few exits and on-ramps. It would be very hard to have an accident on these roads short of doing something that would get you in trouble at 55. In the big open like that you lose the sense of speed because there are not many reference points, so it does not feel fast like you might imagine.
Did Eaker have a chat with the Governor?
That's another reason I came back on I-40. I got caught on a construction project on I-44 about 30 miles outside St. Louis -- came to a halt and there was absolutely no reason I could see for that -- nothing was stopping traffic -- they just slowed down. I thought our roads were bad in Oklahoma but some other states are far worse.
There has to be about a 5 mph buffer from trooper since most radar is not accurate enough for a citation to hold up in court less than that.
However, they probably won't be doing 10 miles grace anymore.
I only went 5 over anyway, so it isn't like I will have to adjust my habits.
I know when I was going up into northeastern KS last weekend, it was insane.....I was going 10 miles over simply because I was in an extreme rush though I wasn't exactly thrilled to be doing it....and everyone was still passing me. Just insane that I was going 80 and it seemed like half the road was going 85.
There was an accident near Little Rock involving a car and some 18-wheelers last Saturday afternoon. They still haven't identified the driver of the car because he was burnt beyond recognition.
Maybe by raising the limit they will start enforcing it.
I haven't seen any evidence of that here - in fact, it seems to be getting worse. I see a lot of morons who follow too close, change lanes without signaling, cut off other drivers, etc.
New Mexico is one that few states that seems to have a clue about traffic.
They don't make you slow down when driving through cities on the interstate. This makes traffic flow much better, especially with all the hills/mountains out there.
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