They Do It Big in Texas: House Approves 85 MPH Speed Limit

[nomore55]

(didn't anyone get this posted yet?)

They Do It Big in Texas: House Approves 85 MPH Speed Limit

Published April 08, 2011

Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas House has given final approval to a bill that could up the speed limit on some highways to 85 mph.

The Texas Senate is considering a similar bill, which would make the state's speed limit the highest in the nation.

The measure by Brenham state Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, which won initial approval Wednesday, is part of a larger transportation bill. Final approval came Thursday.


The bill would authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to raise the speed limit on designated lanes or entire stretches of roadway after doing engineering and traffic studies. Texas currently has more than 500 miles of interstate highways where the speed limit is 80 mph.

Critics have raised safety and fuel-saving concerns.

[nomore55]

Ordinary citizens love it when politicians recognize realities they have understood for years. Such as, on a straight rural highway in good weather, 85 mph is not a crazy idea.

It's a speed that many drivers and modern vehicles can easily handle. It will get them to their destination quicker and leave more time for what they really want to do.

In some ways it's safer because faster journeys reduce the driver fatigue that causes so many crashes.

The House bill would allow this higher speed limit only after the state highway department conducted speed and safety analyses. This wouldn't happen by some Bubba changing a sign and firing a starter's pistol.

As always, people who don't want to driver faster - or buy alcohol or play the lottery or whatever - can simply decline to participate. No one is forcing them to do anything. In turn, they should not be allowed to dictate the behavior of others. It's called freedom. Thank God Texas still believes in it.

.....

[supercowpowers]

So let's get this straight. I can go 83 MPH on a road that...

Is straight, with forward visibility of at least a mile.
Has light traffic.
Is dry.
Has no interchanges for miles.

In Pennsylvania, I get a ticket (true story)
In Texas, I have at least 7 more MPH to go before any real possibility of trouble.

Makes sense.

Also, I get a little tired of the crowd that comes out and complains about wasting gas any time a speed limit is raised. If people want to pay for the gas, let them. If they use too much, the price will go up, and they'll have to re-examine their priorities. I thought that's how it's supposed to work in America.

[kpatz]

Those who think that slowing down will save them gas can slow down then. That doesn't mean that everyone should be forced to slow down. So, to all the "slow-down-to-save-gas"ers: leave our speed limits alone, and keep right except to pass.

[nomore55]

A-men, my brothers! A-men! Almost an adequte reason for wanting to visit TX

(Will this be the new record for highest PSL ever in the USA?)

[rocky2]

Do you really save that much gas when you drive slow ? I have never tried it.

[switch626]

They may have banned jammers, but at least they got this right. Great news for TX. Hopefully more states will follow (FL).

[kpatz]

Do you really save that much gas when you drive slow ? I have never tried it.

It varies from car to car. I know my A4 gets better mileage @ 50 than it does at 65, but that doesn't mean I'm going to drive 50 to save gas. I'd rather save TIME spent behind the wheel even if it means I burn a bit more gas.

Most cars are at their peak mileage around 65-70. 55 is slower than necessary to save gas, and 85 will burn more, but once again, think of the time saved.

[supercowpowers]

Do you really save that much gas when you drive slow ? I have never tried it.

Well, it helps.

My cars don't have a realtime MPG display, but I have measured tankfuls with different driving styles. Cruising at 80+ yields about 22-23 MPG, driving 65-70 gives 25. I have another car where the numbers are 27 and 31. (Which means I can drive like a complete ass in one car and get better mileage than driving like a grandma in another, so why should I have to follow a speed limit to save gas in the more efficient car?)

My fiance's Cobalt does have a display. At or near the PSL it gets 35 MPG (or so it says). Get up to 80 MPH and it dives down to about 27 MPG.

If they really want people to save gas they should make realtime MPG information mandatory in new cars. I admit I drive slower when I can see how bad the gas mileage is at higher speeds. It's instant gratification compared to having to wait a week when I fill up to calculate it.

Airplane and ship operators have to work the efficiency/speed equation all the time. I don't see any calls to impose speed limits on them, so why are car drivers special...

[E53X5]

Airplane and ship operators have to work the efficiency/speed equation all the time. I don't see any calls to impose speed limits on them, so why are car drivers special...

Because we're all stupid and not smart enough to figure out what's best for ourselves. We can barely drive and chew gum at the same time; do you think we can also keep an eye on our gas consumption and figure out how fast to go all at the same time? That's why we have the Big Brother, and if he says we get better gas mileage at [insert a number here] MpH, then it must be true. Duh!