Texas House Approves 85 MPH Speed Limit

[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.