80MPH speed limit coming soon?

Speed limits would increase to 80 mph on two West Texas interstate highways under a proposal by the Texas Department of Transportation.

The Texas Transportation Commission could take up the proposed change, which would apply to Interstate 10 and Interstate 20 in West Texas, when it meets in Austin next week.

Some advocates for fuel conservation and safety have questioned the wisdom of boosting speed limits, but transportation officials said most drivers are already cruising at nearly 80 mph.

Full article here

PlanoA4 - 5/16/2006 1:16:05 PM

+1 Boost

It is common for them to not even pull you over on those stretches unless you are going at least 85.

dblo7 - 5/16/2006 5:23:53 PM

+1 Boost

Don't think it will fly. Yeah everyone is cruising at 80MPH because the official speed limit is 70MPH and if they raise it to 80 then people will be cruising at 90. Then issues with fuel consumption may come to pass.

When they changed the speed limit from 55 to 65 in Cali, the accident rate actually went down. Don't think that will be the same for 70 - 80..maybe 75.

Redwood - 5/17/2006 11:20:04 AM

+1 Boost

First off, studies have shown that people will drive a certain speed no matter what. They likely won't go much, if at all faster. They'll just have to worry less about cops. The current speed limit in that part of the state is 75, not 70. If you've driven through that area, you know 80 would seem slow. There's really so little traffic out there that a speed limit seems moot. I'd be more excited to see the speed limit on the rest of the Texas interstates go up from 70 to 75.

trailblazer - 5/18/2006 2:22:52 AM

+1 Boost

Not a bad idea. People just need to keep driving. And keep down on the rubber necking.

EnnNorak - 5/19/2006 1:33:48 AM

+1 Boost

Cars today have much safer handling and safer tires than cars that were available when currently obsolete speed limits were imposed. Kudos for Texas, a truly progressive state.