Legislation is working its way through the Texas statehouse that would allow future highways to have speed limits of up to 85 miles per hour. Texas already has about 500 miles of rural interstate that allow 80 miles per hour. None of those or any other existing roads would change. The 85 mile per hour limit would only apply to newly constructed roads that are engineered for that speed and only if the Texas transportation commission approves.
Backers say it’s just another tool in the toolbox. Representative Lois Kolkhorst is the lawmaker who introduced the bill. “We’re a big, big state, ” says Kolkhorst,”and so as we try to move goods and services and more importantly people from destination to destination, it could be an option for the future.”
But the discussion comes as highway deaths are down across the nation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says from 2009 to 2010, traffic deaths fell three percent. In the region that includes Texas, deaths are down almost seven percent. It’s so low, the national traffic fatality rate will be at its lowest since 19-49.
That’s why some strongly oppose the plan. For example, insurance industry officials say any increase in speed whether it’s on an existing freeway or new one could cause more accidents leading to more injuries and fatalities. Says Jerry Johns, President of Southwestern Insurance Information Service, what’s worse is that people already tend to drive over any posted speed limit. “So does translate to people driving 90? 95?” asks Johns. “That certainly does pose a hazard to the other drivers.” Despite the concerns, house lawmakers unanimously passed the legislation this week. Now it heads to the Texas senate. Lawmakers there could vote on it in the next few weeks.
What do you think? Is 85 too dangerous?
I think that it would be sweet if we changed to speed limit to 85, yes i think that it might be a little dangerous but i not everyone has to go that fast. They have min limit and max limit on most hwy in minnesota. I think 85 might be a little high up there but maybe like 80. i think that would be legit. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jada that 85 is a little high up there. Especially beacuse if the speed limit is 85 people would drive 90 or 95. I think that 80 is a good option because then people would drive 85. Or maybe they could have a day speed limit of 85 and a slower night speed limit.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a good idea for 85MPH especially if the roads are in good condition and it sort of flat terrain. I also think that people will still go a safe speed to themselves personally. Having that option is the idea for me that is nice.
ReplyDeleteTexas should leave the speed limits at 80. Even if they create new highways that are meant for speed and safety, 85 isn't a good idea. If the highway death rates are low, great, leave them that way! Making a higher speed limit could make that death rate go right back up! I think that if 85 was put into action, people would definitely go faster, like 90 or 95. That is fast just for a highway. Better roads or not, 85 is too high and too dangerous.
ReplyDeleteIf Texas changed the speed limit to 85, they would be pushing it just a little bit. There is a possiblity that it could cause more accidents if they went that high, but they don't necessarily have to drive that fast. So many people speed now and the speed limits are down, and to think some peoples speeds could go up to 100 mph even. So I think the best choice for them is to just stay at 80.
ReplyDelete85 should be the limit, some say that it would waste more gas, but you would arrive at your destination that much faster. it would be awesome
ReplyDelete85 is crazy fast i don't know if they could afford it. tickets wouldn't ever be given out. taxes would go up cuz of gas price and fuel economy.
ReplyDeleteI think they should raise speed limit to 80 or what ever is reasonable.
ReplyDelete85 seems like a really fast speed limit. People would get crappy gas mieage on that highway. Also, to me it makes sense that the faster a person drives, the likelihood of accidents rise as well.
ReplyDeleteI think 85 is too fast people already go faster than the speed limit anyways so if the limit was 85 people could end up going 90 or 95, it is very dangerous it would put a lot of people in more danger it is not a smart decision.
ReplyDelete85 is a little risky! Why not just leave the speed limits the way they are? It seems that people are so impatient in this world. I agree with Laura it seems that the faster a person drives there is a higher risk they have of getting in a car accident.
ReplyDeleteAs cool as it may be to have a high speed limit of 85 so you don't have to worry about getting pulled over, i feel it is slightly to dangerous. It is true that as is people already drive that fast when a speed limit is only 60 can you imagine people going 90-100 mph? That doesn't sound like a good idea to me. I do like the idea of making day limit and a might limit that seems to work pretty well in other states. Because its harder to see at night and going that fast could result in an accident. so why not make the speed limit like 75 or 80 during the day and may like 60- 70 during the night?
ReplyDeleteI think if the road is in good conditions and its basically straight the whole way then I think it would be nice if they passed it. Yeah it would probably be a little more dangerous but there are accidents where people are driving half that. I don't think it would be a bad idea. I like to go fast.
ReplyDeleteI think it's fine because I won't live their and if everyone is driving that fist than there will be less running into someone who is going really slow. They have good road conditions down there so I don't mind at all. Go ahead and do it.
ReplyDeleteI think that if these roads are permitted to drive 85 mph on them, it might get more dangerous, more accidents, and more casualties. BUT, it is texas, and doesn't have tempermental weather conditions like us Minnesotans, so i thnk it should be fine if people drive responsibly.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be pretty cool for them to have an 85mph speed limit. But if they did, they would have to raise state taxes because there would be few traffic tickets issued and without them they would have little money for even repairing roads.
ReplyDelete85 miles per hour is obviously more dangerous than 80. It's not a bad idea. The roads would be constructed for it and other routes are available for people who choose to drive more slowly.
ReplyDelete85 is a crazy speed, but if that's what people want then so be it. It's not like it's going to affect me way up here in the woods. People are going to drive how fast they want anyway so just let them be. It's your choice to drive that speed and it's your choice to be on the road. Accidents happen everywhere at every speed so it's not a big deal.
ReplyDeleteThis doesnt affect me i dont live in texas. If they want it 85 good for them, plus 80 to 85 isnt really gonna save to many lives your already goin pretty fast.
ReplyDeleteits actualy not that bad i mean look at germany the autobann has on speedlimit and there are less axedents on there than in a year than there are in the state of MN in 6 month
ReplyDeletehonestly it would be more of a deadly crash going 85 lol but i totally agree driving 85 the need for speed
ReplyDeleteI think its a stupid idea to waste all this money to build another road through Texas when they already have fine roads now, and 85 mph is all that bad though because the chance of you dying in a crash is still the same if you were only driving 70 because that is still pretty dang fast.
ReplyDeleteI like this idea. They need all the roads they can get with fast speed limits because Texas is empty and boring you just want to get through it fast.
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