Texas highway would be the first to allow 85 mph speed limit

rockin'robin · 06-08-2012, 10:06 AM

Can't drive 55? … 65? … 75? How about 85?

A stretch of Texas highway may soon be the first road in the country to have a posted 85 mph speed limit.

The Texas Department of Transportation said this week that part of a toll road being built between Austin and San Antonio will be tested to see if motorists can safely push it to 85.

"It was designed under extremely high design parameters," Darren McDaniel, the state's Speed Management Director told WOAI radio.

Texas and Utah are the only states with 80-mph limits on some roadways. But Texas turned heads when lawmakers gave the green light to go to 85 if needed.

"The higher the speed limit, the more accidents there are, the more injuries and the more deaths," Jerry Johns, president of the Southwest Insurance Information Institute, told Reuters last year.

Eighty-five mph would be the second-highest posted speed limit in the world, according to the European auto rental firm Rhino Car Hire, Reuters reported. Some roads in Poland reportedly allow speeds of about 86 mph.

Texas hopes the faster toll road will help relieve one of the country's most congested interstates, between Austin and San Antonio.

"It's in a straight, flat area," TxDOT spokesman Mark Cross told Yahoo. "Safety is a priority. We want to make sure people understand that."

Texas highway would be the first to allow 85 mph speed limit | The Lookout - Yahoo! News

**Sares** · 06-08-2012, 10:22 AM

People are already driving 85 last time I was in TX and out here in Wyoming across Red Desert they drive 85. All rising the speed limit to 85 will do is have people driving 90. It is in there nature to push it over the limit at least 5 MPH if not 10. Why not just tell the Troopers not to worry about the ones going 85 unless they thing it is a reckless driver and leave the posted limit at 80.
Just my opinion, But then again I think drinking and driving should have a minimum 10 years hard labor sentence.

dereksbicycles · 06-08-2012, 10:22 AM

I would not mind going 85, but not many people can manage it and accidents will occur.

**TXgolfer** · 06-08-2012, 10:28 AM

You mean the speed limit isn't 85 now???

PowerON · 06-08-2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Texas hopes the faster toll road will help relieve one of the country's most congested interstates, between Austin and San Antonio.

"It's in a straight, flat area," TxDOT spokesman Mark Cross told Yahoo. "Safety is a priority. We want to make sure people understand that."

Between Austin and San Antonio, a straight, yes. But it's not that FLAT! Geez!

I hope they building dual highway on free and toll way. Because right now, it's awful. Normally, it should be like a hour between both city. During business, it goes up to nearly 3 hours. Terrible.

**Foxrac** · 06-08-2012, 11:26 AM

I don't have problem with 85 mph but Texas need improve the infrastructure to make safer to go at 85 mph.

In Germany, I recall about autobahn doesn't have speed limit so you can go over 100 mph.

diehardbiker · 06-08-2012, 12:52 PM

First? I don't believe that claim, couple years ago, Montana once had no speed limit. Now they decrease to 75 couple years ago due to too many idiots driving way beyond reasonable speed.

**Jiro** · 06-08-2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

I don't have problem with 85 mph but Texas need improve the infrastructure to make safer to go at 85 mph.

It's not the infrastructure that makes it safe. It's the training and driving etiquette. As long as people know their limit and car's limitation, inspect their car on daily basis, and follow proper driving etiquette... we would be fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

In Germany, I recall about autobahn doesn't have speed limit so you can go over 100 mph.

yes it's because Germany has a very very stringent and expensive driving education. We should raise our standard as well. Too many drivers here lack common sense and etiquette.

**Jiro** · 06-08-2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sares

People are already driving 85 last time I was in TX and out here in Wyoming across Red Desert they drive 85. All rising the speed limit to 85 will do is have people driving 90. It is in there nature to push it over the limit at least 5 MPH if not 10. Why not just tell the Troopers not to worry about the ones going 85 unless they thing it is a reckless driver and leave the posted limit at 80.
Just my opinion, But then again I think drinking and driving should have a minimum 10 years hard labor sentence.

yea it's common for state to impose double fines and/or harsher penalty for higher speed limit.

80 and 85 speed limit makes a world of differences when it comes to legal case in case of accident.

Barbaro · 06-08-2012, 01:20 PM

YES! Bring it on. Drivers here in DFW drives so slowly. I don't like speed limits here. Ridiculous! I do miss driving fast in California.

Yeah, my cousins drive fast in Germany. Lucky them.

PowerON · 06-08-2012, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbaro

YES! Bring it on. Drivers here in DFW drives so slowly. I don't like speed limits here. Ridiculous! I do miss driving fast in California.

Yeah, my cousins drive fast in Germany. Lucky them.

Oregon is worst. So slow as everywhere seem like turtle to me.

***VamPyroX*** · 06-08-2012, 04:23 PM

Whoa... now, I can go visit my friends and relatives... using that highway!

**saywhatkid** · 06-08-2012, 06:33 PM

I drove Montana in the mid 1990's when they had no daytime limits on Interstate highways outside cities. We set cruise control over 100 in the rental van. Wheeee!!!

Frisky Feline · 06-08-2012, 06:42 PM

No thanks.

whatdidyousay! · 06-08-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockin'robin

Can't drive 55? … 65? … 75? How about 85?

A stretch of Texas highway may soon be the first road in the country to have a posted 85 mph speed limit.

The Texas Department of Transportation said this week that part of a toll road being built between Austin and San Antonio will be tested to see if motorists can safely push it to 85.

"It was designed under extremely high design parameters," Darren McDaniel, the state's Speed Management Director told WOAI radio.

Texas and Utah are the only states with 80-mph limits on some roadways. But Texas turned heads when lawmakers gave the green light to go to 85 if needed.

"The higher the speed limit, the more accidents there are, the more injuries and the more deaths," Jerry Johns, president of the Southwest Insurance Information Institute, told Reuters last year.

Eighty-five mph would be the second-highest posted speed limit in the world, according to the European auto rental firm Rhino Car Hire, Reuters reported. Some roads in Poland reportedly allow speeds of about 86 mph.

Texas hopes the faster toll road will help relieve one of the country's most congested interstates, between Austin and San Antonio.

"It's in a straight, flat area," TxDOT spokesman Mark Cross told Yahoo. "Safety is a priority. We want to make sure people understand that."

Texas highway would be the first to allow 85 mph speed limit | The Lookout - Yahoo! News

I sure hope this does not happen in my state, Massachusetts , people are horrible drivers out here!

Top 20 States with the Worst Drivers

This link is a little old but the drivers in my state are baaad!

deafdrummer · 06-08-2012, 08:22 PM

HELL NO!!

I'm an owner of a Jeep and a classic SUV ('77 Int'l Harvester Scout II). They both have an optimum speed lower than even the current speed of 70. I do NOT want to be forced to speed up in order to be safe. I have noticed that cars made today are designed for better mileage at higher speeds.

Remember these things...

The higher the speed, the more likely you'll die in a wreck. Even people who seemingly suffer no visible injuries die sometimes, usually because the internal organs get disconnected, especially the heart. It may be why some people fall 40+ stories and survive the fall, though with severe injuries, because they fall in a way that cushions the organs in a position that doesn't disconnect these organs. It depends on how you land.

If you screw up because you went too fast for the safety of a situation and get someone killed in a wreck, you could be charged with involuntary manslaughter, or worse. This is a felony conviction that can ALSO result in the loss of access to firearms in some cases and certainly makes finding a job harder because it is on your record as a conviction.

At higher speeds, you are more likely to catastrophically total your vehicle, even if you manage to miss everything but yourself (imagine that!).

Oh! Another thing... I thought everyone was bitching about higher gas prices... Wait a minute...

Has everyone here been buying gold and silver and finding gasoline getting cheaper over the long term? Can't be that many hard currency advocates here in this thread...

(hand across the opposite shoulder twice with a stupid face)

People, what are you in a hurry for?? If you're bored because you're stuck in traffic or everything looks the same, GET THE HELL OUT!! Go where you want to be, where you can enjoy the scenery or move closer to where you work if possible. Or, don't drive through the area...

kokonut · 06-08-2012, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deafdrummer

HELL NO!!

I'm an owner of a Jeep and a classic SUV ('77 Int'l Harvester Scout II). They both have an optimum speed lower than even the current speed of 70. I do NOT want to be forced to speed up in order to be safe. I have noticed that cars made today are designed for better mileage at higher speeds.

Remember these things...

The higher the speed, the more likely you'll die in a wreck. Even people who seemingly suffer no visible injuries die sometimes, usually because the internal organs get disconnected, especially the heart. It may be why some people fall 40+ stories and survive the fall, though with severe injuries, because they fall in a way that cushions the organs in a position that doesn't disconnect these organs. It depends on how you land.

If you screw up because you went too fast for the safety of a situation and get someone killed in a wreck, you could be charged with involuntary manslaughter, or worse. This is a felony conviction that can ALSO result in the loss of access to firearms in some cases and certainly makes finding a job harder because it is on your record as a conviction.

At higher speeds, you are more likely to catastrophically total your vehicle, even if you manage to miss everything but yourself (imagine that!).

Oh! Another thing... I thought everyone was bitching about higher gas prices... Wait a minute...

Has everyone here been buying gold and silver and finding gasoline getting cheaper over the long term? Can't be that many hard currency advocates here in this thread...

(hand across the opposite shoulder twice with a stupid face)

People, what are you in a hurry for?? If you're bored because you're stuck in traffic or everything looks the same, GET THE HELL OUT!! Go where you want to be, where you can enjoy the scenery or move closer to where you work if possible. Or, don't drive through the area...

You should try the Autobahn.

deafdrummer · 06-08-2012, 09:10 PM

lol!!!

**Foxrac** · 06-09-2012, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

It's not the infrastructure that makes it safe. It's the training and driving etiquette. As long as people know their limit and car's limitation, inspect their car on daily basis, and follow proper driving etiquette... we would be fine.

yes it's because Germany has a very very stringent and expensive driving education. We should raise our standard as well. Too many drivers here lack common sense and etiquette.

Oh really, someone told me that our infrastructure isn't designed for driving at higher speed limit due to difference of thickness.

Yup, I agree with you about need raise the standard and the driving is SO HORRIBLE in DC area. The driving in Alabama is bad too because too many reckless drivers.

Hey, don't forget to put helmet on it before you get on Alabama road, it is state law.

**Foxrac** · 06-09-2012, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatdidyousay!

I sure hope this does not happen in my state, Massachusetts , people are horrible drivers out here!

Top 20 States with the Worst Drivers

This link is a little old but the drivers in my state are baaad!

Wow, it looks like California and Mississippi are best friend, Massachusetts and Louisiana are best friend, New York and Alabama are best friend, New Jersey and Georgia are best friend...

Make friend between north and south states.

DeafTim · 06-09-2012, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dereksbicycles

I would not mind going 85, but not many people can manage it and accidents will occur.

exactly...too many reckless and inexperience drivers.. yea, no thanks!

diehardbiker · 06-09-2012, 01:21 AM

That is why I don't believe Texas being first state at higher speed. Also from what I heard, Montana speeding tickets is most affordable of all states.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saywhatkid

I drove Montana in the mid 1990's when they had no daytime limits on Interstate highways outside cities. We set cruise control over 100 in the rental van. Wheeee!!!

kokonut · 06-09-2012, 02:06 AM

There's a road in New Mexico that goes through White Sands (Hwy 70) for 40 miles with a speed limit of 75 mph but most cars drive 80 to 85 mph. Pretty cool.

**TXgolfer** · 06-09-2012, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

There's a road in New Mexico that goes through White Sands (Hwy 70) for 40 miles with a speed limit of 75 mph but most cars drive 80 to 85 mph. Pretty cool.

I'm always over 100 there and on 380/70 I've gone 100 on 380 for 30 minutes and never seen another car.....it's spooky

Barbaro · 06-09-2012, 12:28 PM

I usually drive around 85-90 mph in Southern CA and Arizona. It doesn't feel like fast.

One time, I drove over 100 mph on I-80 in Wyoming. It is easy to spot a single cow that far if you drive straight.

rockin'robin · 06-09-2012, 10:47 PM

As for me,,,,,75 would be tops...used to have a "heavy foot", but now speedsters really terrify me.

**Foxrac** · 06-09-2012, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXgolfer

I'm always over 100 there and on 380/70 I've gone 100 on 380 for 30 minutes and never seen another car.....it's spooky

I went over 100 mph on I-59 and it is pretty easy because of very straight in some portion and made top at nearly 130 mph. I feel like FLY and too way fast.

**Foxrac** · 06-09-2012, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockin'robin

As for me,,,,,75 would be tops...used to have a "heavy foot", but now speedsters really terrify me.

Oh yup, I used I-75 until transfer to turnpike until way to Orlando.

radioman · 06-10-2012, 09:06 AM

perhaps drivers should have a sticker in car window stating they passed a training class on driving over 70 MPH with drivers etiquette/safety just to be able to drive on "texas autobahn highway" . If you wreck your car without the training, insurance should be automatically cancelled.

caz12 · 06-10-2012, 09:17 AM

it tends be the idiots who break speeding limits so 85mph be broken you have good A&E I HOPE

06-08-2012, 10:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,274	Texas highway would be the first to allow 85 mph speed limit Can't drive 55? … 65? … 75? How about 85? A stretch of Texas highway may soon be the first road in the country to have a posted 85 mph speed limit. The Texas Department of Transportation said this week that part of a toll road being built between Austin and San Antonio will be tested to see if motorists can safely push it to 85. "It was designed under extremely high design parameters," Darren McDaniel, the state's Speed Management Director told WOAI radio. Texas and Utah are the only states with 80-mph limits on some roadways. But Texas turned heads when lawmakers gave the green light to go to 85 if needed. "The higher the speed limit, the more accidents there are, the more injuries and the more deaths," Jerry Johns, president of the Southwest Insurance Information Institute, told Reuters last year. Eighty-five mph would be the second-highest posted speed limit in the world, according to the European auto rental firm Rhino Car Hire, Reuters reported. Some roads in Poland reportedly allow speeds of about 86 mph. Texas hopes the faster toll road will help relieve one of the country's most congested interstates, between Austin and San Antonio. "It's in a straight, flat area," TxDOT spokesman Mark Cross told Yahoo. "Safety is a priority. We want to make sure people understand that." Texas highway would be the first to allow 85 mph speed limit \| The Lookout - Yahoo! News

06-08-2012, 10:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sares Enjoy the quiet life Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cheyenne Wyoming Posts: 210	People are already driving 85 last time I was in TX and out here in Wyoming across Red Desert they drive 85. All rising the speed limit to 85 will do is have people driving 90. It is in there nature to push it over the limit at least 5 MPH if not 10. Why not just tell the Troopers not to worry about the ones going 85 unless they thing it is a reckless driver and leave the posted limit at 80. Just my opinion, But then again I think drinking and driving should have a minimum 10 years hard labor sentence. __________________ I always enjoy a quiet evening at home.

06-08-2012, 10:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
TXgolfer Dream Weaver Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Everywhere Posts: 17,604	You mean the speed limit isn't 85 now??? KristinaB likes this. __________________ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:21 Sometimes at night, I see their faces. I feel the traces they've left on my soul

06-08-2012, 11:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
Foxrac Need Stormtroopers? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Zaphias Posts: 32,453	I don't have problem with 85 mph but Texas need improve the infrastructure to make safer to go at 85 mph. In Germany, I recall about autobahn doesn't have speed limit so you can go over 100 mph. __________________ In Moto We Trust

06-08-2012, 12:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
diehardbiker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: In back of Superduty Posts: 11,238	First? I don't believe that claim, couple years ago, Montana once had no speed limit. Now they decrease to 75 couple years ago due to too many idiots driving way beyond reasonable speed. __________________ J-MAC's quote: "People who try and fail are more superior than people who don't try at all" "If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny." Thomas Jefferson (1778) Avatar picture is Cape Hatteras light house in OBX.

Today
Deafness	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

06-08-2012, 10:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
dereksbicycles Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: 60202 Posts: 3,787	I would not mind going 85, but not many people can manage it and accidents will occur.

06-08-2012, 01:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Barbaro Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: dæləs Posts: 1,308	YES! Bring it on. Drivers here in DFW drives so slowly. I don't like speed limits here. Ridiculous! I do miss driving fast in California. Yeah, my cousins drive fast in Germany. Lucky them. __________________ We know what we are but not what we may be. -Author:Shakespeare

06-08-2012, 04:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: 40.18, 58.41 Posts: 34,136	Whoa... now, I can go visit my friends and relatives... using that highway! __________________ Check out my city... C L I C K H E R E! (If you've already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

06-08-2012, 06:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
saywhatkid Emerging from the sun Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: In space Posts: 7,242 Blog Entries: 2	I drove Montana in the mid 1990's when they had no daytime limits on Interstate highways outside cities. We set cruise control over 100 in the rental van. Wheeee!!!

06-08-2012, 06:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
Frisky Feline Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 20,215	No thanks.

06-08-2012, 08:22 PM	#16 (permalink)
deafdrummer Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Preparing to evacuate from Houston, TX Posts: 1,010	HELL NO!! I'm an owner of a Jeep and a classic SUV ('77 Int'l Harvester Scout II). They both have an optimum speed lower than even the current speed of 70. I do NOT want to be forced to speed up in order to be safe. I have noticed that cars made today are designed for better mileage at higher speeds. Remember these things... The higher the speed, the more likely you'll die in a wreck. Even people who seemingly suffer no visible injuries die sometimes, usually because the internal organs get disconnected, especially the heart. It may be why some people fall 40+ stories and survive the fall, though with severe injuries, because they fall in a way that cushions the organs in a position that doesn't disconnect these organs. It depends on how you land. If you screw up because you went too fast for the safety of a situation and get someone killed in a wreck, you could be charged with involuntary manslaughter, or worse. This is a felony conviction that can ALSO result in the loss of access to firearms in some cases and certainly makes finding a job harder because it is on your record as a conviction. At higher speeds, you are more likely to catastrophically total your vehicle, even if you manage to miss everything but yourself (imagine that!). Oh! Another thing... I thought everyone was bitching about higher gas prices... Wait a minute... Has everyone here been buying gold and silver and finding gasoline getting cheaper over the long term? Can't be that many hard currency advocates here in this thread... (hand across the opposite shoulder twice with a stupid face) People, what are you in a hurry for?? If you're bored because you're stuck in traffic or everything looks the same, GET THE HELL OUT!! Go where you want to be, where you can enjoy the scenery or move closer to where you work if possible. Or, don't drive through the area...

06-08-2012, 09:10 PM	#18 (permalink)
deafdrummer Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Preparing to evacuate from Houston, TX Posts: 1,010	lol!!!

06-09-2012, 02:06 AM	#23 (permalink)
kokonut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 15,348	There's a road in New Mexico that goes through White Sands (Hwy 70) for 40 miles with a speed limit of 75 mph but most cars drive 80 to 85 mph. Pretty cool. __________________ Before AD. After AD. "Restriction on free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us." -Thurgood Marshall, former Supreme Court Justice "... turns out they are telling the truth."

06-09-2012, 12:28 PM	#25 (permalink)
Barbaro Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: dæləs Posts: 1,308	I usually drive around 85-90 mph in Southern CA and Arizona. It doesn't feel like fast. One time, I drove over 100 mph on I-80 in Wyoming. It is easy to spot a single cow that far if you drive straight. __________________ We know what we are but not what we may be. -Author:Shakespeare

06-09-2012, 10:47 PM	#26 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,274	As for me,,,,,75 would be tops...used to have a "heavy foot", but now speedsters really terrify me.

06-10-2012, 09:06 AM	#29 (permalink)
radioman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: In the good ole USA ! Posts: 2,551	perhaps drivers should have a sticker in car window stating they passed a training class on driving over 70 MPH with drivers etiquette/safety just to be able to drive on "texas autobahn highway" . If you wreck your car without the training, insurance should be automatically cancelled.

06-10-2012, 09:17 AM	#30 (permalink)
caz12 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,807	it tends be the idiots who break speeding limits so 85mph be broken you have good A&E I HOPE

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode