Texas could accelerate to 80 mph

kgsilvas · 05-17-2006, 10:00 AM

Quote:

The nation's top legal driving speed soon could rise to a long-forbidden 80 mph as Texas moves toward increasing the limit on parts of two interstate highways.

The proposed increase on Interstates 10 and 20 in West Texas is opposed by some national traffic safety advocates, who say speed contributes to many crashes.

"That's not good news for safety," says Richard Retting, senior transportation engineer at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an industry group. "When states raise speed limits, they're trading lives for faster travel times."

But a study by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) found that 85% of drivers on the affected highways already drive 76-79 mph, says Carlos Lopez, the agency's traffic operations chief.

TxDOT has been studying the proposal since the Legislature last year authorized increasing the speed limit from 70 or 75 to 80 mph in 10 mostly rural counties.

The five-member Texas Transportation Commission, which has the final say, is expected to consider the proposal May 25, TxDOT spokesman Mike Cox says.

If it approves, the new speed limit would be posted within a week. "Our folks are working right now on fabricating signs," Lopez says.

The move comes amid soaring gas prices. The Department of Energy says that gas mileage drops sharply at speeds over 60 mph, and that drivers can assume that each 5 mph over 60 is like paying an additional 20 cents per gallon of gas.

American drivers have not seen a "Speed Limit 80" sign in more than three decades. The Kansas Turnpike had an 80-mph limit beginning in 1956, and Nevada and Montana had no numeric limits on some rural highways at times in the past. In 1974, Congress instituted a national 55-mph limit, which it lifted in 1995. States now set speed limits, even on federal highways. Thirteen states in the West and Midwest have 75-mph limits.

Some Texas officials oppose higher limits. "If the speed limit is raised to 80, everybody is going to be doing 85 or 90," says Hudspeth County Judge Becky Dean-Walker, the top elected official in one county facing the move to 80. "That's just human nature." Link

By Larry Copeland, USA TODAY Wed May 17, 7:01 AM ET

Seems a little odd with the price of gas so high. Wasn't that 1974 national 55-mph limit in response to high gas prices and low oil reserves?

InfiniteNothing · 05-17-2006, 10:03 AM

I'd bet $10 that the average speed on that highway changes negligibly.

Jeffbx · 05-17-2006, 10:44 AM

I'd further bet that the number of accidents doesn't change one bit if they raise the limit.

Thesifer · 05-17-2006, 10:58 AM

Speed doesn't kill people. Stupid drivers do.

Yossarian · 05-17-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgsilvas

Seems a little odd with the price of gas so high. Wasn't that 1974 national 55-mph limit in response to high gas prices and low oil reserves?

yes, and if states have higher speed limits than that, with out federal permission, they won't recieve ANY fedral money for roads and maintinence

OC · 05-17-2006, 11:21 AM

I for one am all for the state of Texas accelerating to 80mph - preferably straight up. If they could leave San Antonio behind though, that'd be great, mmk?

MikeD · 05-17-2006, 11:28 AM

Another reason to love the great state of Texas...

gear02 · 05-17-2006, 01:04 PM

Well, I think speeds definately will increase because in my drive from NC to Chicago, I've noticed pretty much everyone drives roughly above the speed limit. At most points, it's about 10 miles over the limit. So, I'm going to bet drivers are going to hit 90 often, which is especially scary since I know on Houston's busy 59, they're already hitting 80 (that's the GENERAL traffic pattern, not the outliers).

Apex · 05-17-2006, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thesifer

Speed doesn't kill people. Stupid drivers do.

Alas, if only more people knew this truth.

Cheesypuff · 05-18-2006, 10:08 AM

the accident rate will not raise...but the death and injury will raise. this is purely subjective, but the same stupid people driving at higher speeds = people will be injured more. I'm saying the rate will go up...I'm saying the cuts and scrapes will be deeper.

Houdini · 05-18-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffbx

I'd further bet that the number of accidents doesn't change one bit if they raise the limit.

As long as they enforce the "left lane for passing only" rule and ticket the hell out of tailgaters, the accident rate won't change at all. Unless people exploit it and drive really, really fast on tires or in cars not made for such speeds.

There's nothing in West Texas anyway. I fail to see the need for a speed limit at all out there. And I'd guess most people who drive through W. Texas and/or N.M., etc., really don't pay strict attention to the limits to begin with. It's flat and rather barren.

guiseppewv · 05-18-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yossarian

yes, and if states have higher speed limits than that, with out federal permission, they won't recieve ANY fedral money for roads and maintinence

FYI: That ended in 1995.

Yossarian · 05-18-2006, 06:11 PM

ended, or adjusted?

Houdini · 05-18-2006, 11:29 PM

I just wish I had had the opportunity to cruise the Montanabaun before "reasonable and prudent" was taken away. It's a beautiful state, but, like W. Texas, there is often a whole lot of nothing that could go by a LOT faster.

clutchy · 05-21-2006, 06:59 PM

great!! i regularly drive 80-85 on most parts of the 10 here in california and this is a heavily populated area... most people do though... so no big deal.

I thought that freeways were the safest roads to drive on? I've never seen or heard of big crashes on freeways... except for maybe an occasional fog accident.

Thesifer · 05-21-2006, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutchy

great!! i regularly drive 80-85 on most parts of the 10 here in california and this is a heavily populated area... most people do though... so no big deal.

I thought that freeways were the safest roads to drive on? I've never seen or heard of big crashes on freeways... except for maybe an occasional fog accident.

Studies in Germany have shown that it's not really Speed that causes accidents, it's bad driving habits. Like tailgating.. etc

clutchy · 05-21-2006, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thesifer

Studies in Germany have shown that it's not really Speed that causes accidents, it's bad driving habits. Like tailgating.. etc

plenty of that in california... it really pisses me off, half of the traffic jams could be avoided by people leaving a little more space b/w cars... just a brake tap away from an accordeon braking cascade.

that and checking out the latest accident or person being pulled over...

it's pretty pathetic when you're stuck in traffic and both sides of the freeway are jammed when you come to an accident on your side of the road, the other side being stopped only because of people wanting to see what's going on...

Thesifer · 05-21-2006, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutchy

plenty of that in california... it really pisses me off, half of the traffic jams could be avoided by people leaving a little more space b/w cars... just a brake tap away from an accordeon braking cascade.

that and checking out the latest accident or person being pulled over...

it's pretty pathetic when you're stuck in traffic and both sides of the freeway are jammed when you come to an accident on your side of the road, the other side being stopped only because of people wanting to see what's going on...

Haha.. when I used to drive to work every morning on the 8.. Half the time at the time I went it would be smooth sailing.. The other times.. It would be all jammed up.. would finally get to the front.. To find a guy changing his tire. Californians are great

guiseppewv · 05-22-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yossarian

ended, or adjusted?

The article said:

Quote:

In 1974, Congress instituted a national 55-mph limit, which it lifted in 1995. States now set speed limits, even on federal highways.

I think it ended.

Memo · 05-22-2006, 10:15 AM

Coincidentally, the speed at which Asian women can drive in Texas will be raised to 75 mph

05-17-2006, 10:58 AM	#4
Thesifer Vice Admiral Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,338	Speed doesn't kill people. Stupid drivers do. __________________

05-17-2006, 11:21 AM	#6
OC the admiral formerly known as overclocked Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Outside the mainstream Posts: 5,922	I for one am all for the state of Texas accelerating to 80mph - preferably straight up. If they could leave San Antonio behind though, that'd be great, mmk? __________________ But what is adulthood except a delayed end-run around our parents' better judgment? -- Peter Egan cough

05-17-2006, 11:28 AM	#7
MikeD President, Cowboys Nation Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In the 'burbs, west of D.C. Posts: 5,139	Another reason to love the great state of Texas... __________________

05-18-2006, 10:08 AM	#10
Cheesypuff Vice Admiral Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Cali, but missing Hong Kong and Texas Posts: 4,782	the accident rate will not raise...but the death and injury will raise. this is purely subjective, but the same stupid people driving at higher speeds = people will be injured more. I'm saying the rate will go up...I'm saying the cuts and scrapes will be deeper. __________________ Life is like toilet paper, long and useful! The stars at night, are big and bright clap 4x deep in the heart of TEXAS!

05-21-2006, 06:59 PM	#15
clutchy Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 2,863	great!! i regularly drive 80-85 on most parts of the 10 here in california and this is a heavily populated area... most people do though... so no big deal. I thought that freeways were the safest roads to drive on? I've never seen or heard of big crashes on freeways... except for maybe an occasional fog accident. __________________ LK was treated unfairly thanks X

05-17-2006, 10:03 AM	#2
InfiniteNothing Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 10,086	I'd bet $10 that the average speed on that highway changes negligibly.

05-17-2006, 10:44 AM	#3
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	I'd further bet that the number of accidents doesn't change one bit if they raise the limit.

05-17-2006, 01:04 PM	#8
gear02 Admiral Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 7,223	Well, I think speeds definately will increase because in my drive from NC to Chicago, I've noticed pretty much everyone drives roughly above the speed limit. At most points, it's about 10 miles over the limit. So, I'm going to bet drivers are going to hit 90 often, which is especially scary since I know on Houston's busy 59, they're already hitting 80 (that's the GENERAL traffic pattern, not the outliers).

05-18-2006, 06:11 PM	#13
Yossarian Chief of Navel Inspections Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 12,187	ended, or adjusted?

05-18-2006, 11:29 PM	#14
Houdini Admiral Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: New Orleans Posts: 5,054	I just wish I had had the opportunity to cruise the Montanabaun before "reasonable and prudent" was taken away. It's a beautiful state, but, like W. Texas, there is often a whole lot of nothing that could go by a LOT faster.

05-22-2006, 10:15 AM	#20
Memo Admiral Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: East Village Posts: 5,659	Coincidentally, the speed at which Asian women can drive in Texas will be raised to 75 mph

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