Posted on 02/20/2015 9:47:18 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
The top speed on some Maryland highways could go to 70 miles per hour under a bill passed by the Senate Thursday.
The measure carried by a vote of 39 to 7, with dissenters warning increasing speed limits could cause more crashes and traffic fatalities.
Sen. George C. Edwards, a Garrett County Republican and the bill's sponsor, said the bill authorizes but does not require the State Highway Administration to raise speed limits on some interstates and expressways. Most interstate highways are built to handle vehicles going 70 miles per hour, he said, noting that neighboring Pennsylvania and West Virginia already have that as their top speed.
"Most people go what they consider a safe speed," Edwards said.
But Sen. James Brochin, a Baltimore County Democrat, warned that speed is often a factor in traffic crashes and fatalities. He argued that many drivers already go up to 75 or 76 mph now on highways with 65-mph speed limits, believing they can go that fast and avoid getting a speeding ticket. Raising the limit to 70 mph will encourage those drivers to go 81 or 82 mph, Brochin predicted.
Dr. Walter Williams has proposed a 5mph limit. Zero traffic fatalities.
Of course, in my crash today, the semi was doing less than 5
I’m not excludung. Just mentioning several more routes that are already at 65 mph and could readily be increased to 70 mph.
“warning increasing speed limits could cause more crashes and traffic fatalities.”
Same thing when they raised it to 65 (from the old canard of 55) 10-some years ago.
The interstates here were MADE to be covered at 70, and that was with bigger, allegedly less nimble cars.
Ah, And the 70/68 are also 65mph. I’m quite use to crossing the MD/WV border and getting to increase or decrease my speed by 5mph depending upon my direction of trave.
What I love is the ninny garbage about construction on the roads.
Now, in the last 10 years, MD has it so limits are actually lower past those zones.
I say, you are just as dead getting hit at 50 as at 60.
They don’t really “care”, they just want more money - and much easier now, with their white vans taking pictures.
It will probably be the same as the 65 limit - everywhere interstate except beltways.
I love how the last word on this article is:
“The ICC speed limit was raised from 55 mph to 60 mph in 2013. According to an analysis the Maryland Transportation Authority, the crash rate jumped 25 percent afterward.”
Now tell us how many people drive that stupid road.
Yeah, like, 10.
Thanks for the ping. Whatever is set as the speed limit won’t make any difference unless the police actually enforce it.
For a coupla hundred mile stretch in West Texas, the speed limit on I-20 and I-10 is 80. I go out that way quite a bit, and I have yet to see an accident way out there. I’m sure they happen, but there’s not much to damage beyond yourself and your vehicle.
Can already do 70 mph on Rte 50 from I-95 to Annapolis. Washigton Beltway was built to accomodate 70 mph except for Rock Creek roller coaster.
I was a graduate student in economics at the University of Chicago in the 1970’s. My parents lived in Fargo, ND.
I would finish my last class on Friday about 2 pm. Drive on I-94 including a bit of rush hour. I would be home about midnight. Would leave on Sunday about 8 am and get back about 8 pm. Took it a bit easier going back.
My Mom grew up in New Rockford, ND.
I love the open roads and the space of our “big country”.
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