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

[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

 

[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.

 

[dereksbicycles]

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

 

[TXgolfer]

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

 

[PowerON]

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]

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[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!!!

 

[Frisky Feline]

No thanks.

 

[whatdidyousay!]

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]

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]

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]

lol!!!

 

[Foxrac]

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]

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.