"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.
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.
Someone else who thinks government needs to be a nanny?
I could go 100mph through many parts of Nebraska and South Dakota that I drive once in awhile, but don't.
It isn't speed limits that cause problems on the roadways, it is lack of driver training. A LOT of people don't know the simple rules of the road (Keep right except to pass, etc).
Have you been on I-10 between Houston and San Antonio? Once you get past the greater Houston area (read past Katy) 85-90 is about normal. They don't play and they move over when someone is approaching.
Hmm...not sure I believe that...but then again...I tend to travel between 85-90 MPH on the Interstate and some rural highways...when there isn't much traffic (no claims and no tickets...40% discount on my insurance..)...never saw a difference in gas mileage...'00 Silverado...if there's a lot of traffic...70-75 is quite a bit...'esp when those semi's tend to cut in front of people trying to pass other semi's...and I won't even mention semi's trying to pass on a hill...:)