Texas House Approves 85 MPH Speed Limit

[PrivatePixel]

From Edmunds Inside Line:

The Texas House has approved an 85 mph speed limit for Texas highways. Those who regularly drive through Texas knows this essentially means fewer pointless fines for keeping up with traffic. That makes this particularly notable as a government issue intended to appease people while at the same time reducing their own income. Brilliant. I think I just teared up a little.

But, with all good news comes some bad. News outlets have jumped all over this with the fear mongering you'd expect. Not only is there a slimmer chance of survival in an accident they say and that longer braking distances could mean more accidents (Going fast? Don't follow so close!), but that this additional speed could cost Texas drivers up to 0.30 per day!

Texans don't have to worry about those cataclysmic events just yet, though as this isn't law yet and will have to conduct speed studies, engineering analysis and a new truck lane. Hope, however, is on the horizon so long as Texas stays brave -- we have high hopes on this one.

Maybe I have a reason to visit Texas after all (besides looking for barbecue).

Just to reiterate: this isn't law yet. I understand the reservations that the tortoises among us have regarding this proposed speed limit, and some of them are warranted. I think far too many people overestimate their driving abilities, and the idea of a two-ton vehicle hurtling at this speed is a scary thought for those who are accustomed to 65, plus, if you crash (or find yourself on the receiving end of one) at this speed, the chances of survival are pretty much nil.

It goes without saying that I'm in favour of a bill such as this, even if it's passed with restrictions (e.g. reserved for left lane use only). I think I covered most of the concerns from the peanut gallery in the second paragraph, so I'm interested in hearing the thoughts of other driving enthusiasts.

[Blu-Benny]

TX is awesome!!! they do what they want and don't care what anyone else thinks!!!

i wouldn't drive 85....i'm too cheap and wouldn't want to be filling up more often.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

TX is awesome!!! they do what they want and don't care what anyone else thinks!!!

i wouldn't drive 85....i'm too cheap and wouldn't want to be filling up more often.

Fair enough, but would you if gasoline prices aren't what they are right now (say, $2/gallon)?

I find myself in the same boat. My driving habits have evolved in the past few months, now that gas is ~$3.75/gallon in my area, but I still find myself doing 75+ on the freeways regularly, just to keep up with the flow of traffic.

[Blu-Benny]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

Fair enough, but would you if gasoline prices aren't what they are right now (say, $2/gallon)?

I find myself in the same boat. My driving habits have evolved in the past few months, now that gas is ~$3.75/gallon in my area, but I still find myself doing 75+ on the freeways regularly, just to keep up with the flow of traffic.

If it was cheaper, no question I’d go that fast. I have no problem w/any part of driving weather it be speed, traffic, whatever.

On a freeway w/a speed limit of 65, I usually don’t have a problem setting the cruise control @ 72ish and letting people fly by me.

[DVDFreaker]

Looks like more wrecks

[timhollerbach]

My sister is a paramedic in TX.....guess she'll be busy.....85 is fast....most people I dont think are smart enough, or can react fast enough for that....

[JJ]

A great reason to move to Texas.

Seriously! I've been pro-higher limits for some time.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Sounds to me like a back-handed way of increasing state revenue!

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by timhollerbach

My sister is a paramedic in TX.....guess she'll be busy.....85 is fast....most people I dont think are smart enough, or can react fast enough for that....

Even if one could, the physics of an object moving at that speed would not cooperate with a driver's reflexes, i.e. most likely spin out and/or roll over. Braking distances would be substantially longer, so activities such as tailgating will have to be frowned upon quite heavily by those enforcing the law.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by John72953

Sounds to me like a back-handed way of increasing state revenue!

In a way, it is, but I'm sure those backing this proposal would perceive it as a win-win situation: drivers are allowed to move at higher speeds without being penalized for something they already do on a daily basis, while the state's coffers will still be lined, thus keeping politicians happy. I don't think the lawmakers would put something like this forward without taking into consideration its potential impact on revenue.

[ManUtd]

Does this mean it's "okay" to drive 95mph in those highways?

In California, I'd love the speed limit to be higher. But with current the road conditions plus so many reckless drivers on the freeways, this is not a good idea here. Maybe Texas has better roads and less crazy drivers.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

In a way, it is, but I'm sure those backing this proposal would perceive it as a win-win situation: drivers are allowed to move at higher speeds without being penalized for something they already do on a daily basis, while the state's coffers will still be lined, thus keeping politicians happy. I don't think the lawmakers would put something like this forward without taking into consideration its potential impact on revenue.

+1. The 55 MPH was unbearingly slow, and an increase was bound to come one day for exactly the reasons you posted. I do personally think that 85 is way beyond safe, and 70 would have been a good midway point.

There's been some pressure here in Toronto to allow for increased speeds on some major highways, most notably the 401 that runs across the bottom end of the province. The speed limit currently is 100 KM (about 63 mph), yet traffic runs at about 120KM (about 75 mph) on average.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by timhollerbach

My sister is a paramedic in TX.....guess she'll be busy.....85 is fast....most people I dont think are smart enough, or can react fast enough for that....

That speed is perfectly safe IF everyone would follow the REST of the rules of the road.... like always turning on their turn signal for a couple of seconds and checking each mirror twice BEFORE they initiate a lane change... and always moving back to the right side driving lane when one is not actively passing another vehicle.

Speed itself is very rarely the MAIN cause of an accident. It's that guy that moves into the left lane going 20 mph slower than yhe traffic in that lane without even thinking of using their turn signal, or the idiot in the big SUV that is impossible to see around that makes people pass them on the right, or the other idiot that is so engrossed in their phone conversation that they attempt a lane change without remembering that they should... you know... look first. If people actually knew how to drive CORRECTLY... 85 wouldn't be a problem at all.

[SleeperAgent]

If the highways in TX are anything like AZ it's needed. We regularly go over 100 on the highways between cities. There's just nothing out there but desert and even semi's are going close to 100.

I approve this limit increase. Nationwide soon I hope. OTSS

[mljones99]

It's not like it's going to be everywhere in the state. There are 500+ miles of interstate/highway that the speed limit is already 80. Mostly on the west side of the state where it is less populated.

I just wish they would up the speed limit on I-20 east out of Dallas

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by John72953

I do personally think that 85 is way beyond safe, and 70 would have been a good midway point.

My gut feeling is that a revision in the speed limit to a slightly higher number (e.g. 60 or 65 -> 70) is unlikely to affect the driving habits of most drivers, seeing as people drive at speeds which they're accustomed to, in addition to what they perceive as being safe for them. The perception of speed is almost negligible for someone moving from 65 to 70, but it is quite noticeable once you travel 75+, and I don't think the majority of drivers have the necessary skills (through proper driver training*) to control a vehicle at current speed limits, much less 80+.

*I have my own thoughts on the topic of graduated licensing, but that should be left to another thread

There's been some pressure here in Toronto to allow for increased speeds on some major highways, most notably the 401 that runs across the bottom end of the province. The speed limit currently is 100 KM (about 63 mph), yet traffic runs at about 120KM (about 75 mph) on average.

As someone who drives on the 401 occasionally, I would be in favour of increased speeds on sections of this freeway. Capping the speed limit at 100 KPH (~62 MPH) for all highways does not make sense when traffic is almost nonexistent for prolonged stretches (e.g. between London and Windsor) plus, as you stated, traffic runs regularly at 120+ KPH (75+ MPH) anyway, even though fines are imposed at that speed.

[timhollerbach]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

That speed is perfectly safe IF everyone would follow the REST of the rules of the road.... like always turning on their turn signal for a couple of seconds and checking each mirror twice BEFORE they initiate a lane change... and always moving back to the right side driving lane when one is not actively passing another vehicle.

Speed itself is very rarely the MAIN cause of an accident. It's that guy that moves into the left lane going 20 mph slower than yhe traffic in that lane without even thinking of using their turn signal, or the idiot in the big SUV that is impossible to see around that makes people pass them on the right, or the other idiot that is so engrossed in their phone conversation that they attempt a lane change without remembering that they should... you know... look first. If people actually knew how to drive CORRECTLY... 85 wouldn't be a problem at all.

I can agree with all the statements about 85 being a "safe" limit...even you in your post put IF in capital letters. That the key, EVERYONE has to obey all the rules, but they don't do that at 65 and 70.....what makes people think they'll do it at 85......imagine talking on the cell phone or putting on make up at that speed! I'm an ex race car driver, I know how sharp your reflex has to be......we raced faster than 85, but even at 85, its gotta be sharp. I do not think your average 16 nd 17 year old (hell, even most 30 year olds) can do that.....especially if they are yapping on the phone or texting.....

BUT good for texas for thinking outside the box.....someone has to try it.....we have 75 mph limits here on our highways thru the rural areas.

[supersix4]

So lucky!!! that means you could probably get away with 90-93

Originally Posted by timhollerbach

I can agree with all the statements about 85 being a "safe" limit...even you in your post put IF in capital letters. That the key, EVERYONE has to obey all the rules, but they don't do that at 65 and 70.....what makes people think they'll do it at 85......imagine talking on the cell phone or putting on make up at that speed! I'm an ex race car driver, I know how sharp your reflex has to be......we raced faster than 85, but even at 85, its gotta be sharp. I do not think your average 16 nd 17 year old (hell, even most 30 year olds) can do that.....especially if they are yapping on the phone or texting.....

BUT good for texas for thinking outside the box.....someone has to try it.....we have 75 mph limits here on our highways thru the rural areas.

Honestly depending on the car each person will have a different sense of "85" so it will scare some people into paying attention while others with, upper level porsches and cars that feel like 45-55 @ 95 will probably continue to play around. So while some kid may think cool 85 his chevy cavalier thats 7 years old can now go 85 it'll be a much different feel than say 45-65.


Max speeds here are 55 and a very VERY few spots that are 65

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by supersix4

Max speeds here are 55 and a very VERY few spots that are 65

Are you a Baltimore resident? Couple the irrational speed limits with the highest number of cops per capita and you have a recipe for misery.

Does Baltimore have too many police officers?

I'm pretty sure Baltimore is in the top five US cities with the highest percentage of police officers per 100,000 residents, trailing only Washington, DC (I think).

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

Are you a Baltimore resident? Couple the irrational speed limits with the highest number of cops per capita and you have a recipe for misery.

Does Baltimore have too many police officers?

I'm pretty sure Baltimore is in the top five US cities with the highest percentage of police officers per 100,000 residents, trailing only Washington, DC (I think).

Nah down closer to DC but I actually didn't know that... Yep + lower crime spots out in other parts of MD (besides PG) they have nothing, but time to catch speeders

Its unreal they think this area needs to be 55