Current state speed limit increase proposals

[kkt]

Mapping finer-grain population density, say by county, with speed limits at the spot would take away some of the seeming outliers.  For instance, Washington's 75 mph speed limits are only found east of the Cascades, where the population is sparse.  Texas' 85 mph zones I think are all in West Texas, where the population is sparse.

Unless they've done something I'm not aware about since June, I-90 is still 70 east of the Cascades.

Ah, thank you.  I am not sure what I was thinking back then.

[kphoger]

Mapping finer-grain population density, say by county, with speed limits at the spot would take away some of the seeming outliers.  For instance, Washington's 75 mph speed limits are only found east of the Cascades, where the population is sparse.  Texas' 85 mph zones I think are all in West Texas, where the population is sparse.

And this is how Texas does its speed limits.  They are set based on population density at the county level.  80 mph on Interstates is only in sparsely populated areas of the state, and 75 mph on two-laners is likewise only in sparsely populated areas of the state.  (85 mph is limited to one highway (TX-130), and its speed limit was included in the arrangement with the state to build the highway.)

[J N Winkler]

And this is how Texas does its speed limits.  They are set based on population density at the county level.  80 mph on Interstates is only in sparsely populated areas of the state, and 75 mph on two-laners is likewise only in sparsely populated areas of the state.  (85 mph is limited to one highway [TX-130], and its speed limit was included in the arrangement with the state to build the highway.)

Since 2011 the relationship between top speed limit and population density has been true only for rural freeways.  The original Gallegos bills from the noughties had persons-per-square-mile density thresholds for counties in which higher speed limits were permissible on rural roads, but now densely populated East Texas has considerable mileage of rural highway with 75 limits.

The "double billboard" speed limits also went away in 2011.

[kphoger]

And this is how Texas does its speed limits.  They are set based on population density at the county level.  80 mph on Interstates is only in sparsely populated areas of the state, and 75 mph on two-laners is likewise only in sparsely populated areas of the state.  (85 mph is limited to one highway [TX-130], and its speed limit was included in the arrangement with the state to build the highway.)

Since 2011 the relationship between top speed limit and population density has been true only for rural freeways.  The original Gallegos bills from the noughties had persons-per-square-mile density thresholds for counties in which higher speed limits were permissible on rural roads, but now densely populated East Texas has considerable mileage of rural highway with 75 limits.

The "double billboard" speed limits also went away in 2011.

Thank you.  This coincides with changes I started seeing in the field around that time.

[jakeroot]

Mapping finer-grain population density, say by county, with speed limits at the spot would take away some of the seeming outliers.  For instance, Washington's 75 mph speed limits are only found east of the Cascades, where the population is sparse.  Texas' 85 mph zones I think are all in West Texas, where the population is sparse.

Unless they've done something I'm not aware about since June, I-90 is still 70 east of the Cascades.

Ah, thank you.  I am not sure what I was thinking back then.

Of course, it would have been a fair assumption that the limit was 75; the fact that WSDOT decided not to increase it, despite the fact that the average motorist disobeys the current limit, was a poor decision. Cars are quickly becoming much safer than even ten years ago. Both the cars, and the drivers, can handle 75.

[Hurricane Rex]

Mapping finer-grain population density, say by county, with speed limits at the spot would take away some of the seeming outliers.  For instance, Washington's 75 mph speed limits are only found east of the Cascades, where the population is sparse.  Texas' 85 mph zones I think are all in West Texas, where the population is sparse.

Unless they've done something I'm not aware about since June, I-90 is still 70 east of the Cascades.

Ah, thank you.  I am not sure what I was thinking back then.

Of course, it would have been a fair assumption that the limit was 75; the fact that WSDOT decided not to increase it, despite the fact that the average motorist disobeys the current limit, was a poor decision. Cars are quickly becoming much safer than even ten years ago. Both the cars, and the drivers, can handle 75.

Indeed, when is the next chance for 75 to head to that area if the feds don't force it?

A 73 average means you should raise the speed limit, NOT follow the vision zero crap that actually can make it less safe in the long run.

[doorknob60]

Looks like Idaho might get rid of split speed limits.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - An Idaho House panel has introduced legislation that would allow trucks, buses and other large vehicles to go the same speed limit as other vehicles on the state's highways.

House Transportation and Defense Committee Chairman Joe Palmer, a Republican from Meridian, said Monday that he wants to eliminate the slower speed limits currently placed on truck drivers.

Palmer says the separate speed limit system sometimes creates dangerous scenarios where truck drivers are traveling at much lower speeds than everyone else.

The panel agreed to introduce the proposal, but it still must clear a full hearing.

An investigation in 2015 by The Associated Press found that 14 states have speed limits for big trucks that are equal to or higher than their tires were designed to handle. Most truck tires aren't designed to go faster than 75 mph, and tire manufacturers say traveling faster than that can cause tires to fail and blow out, creating safety issues.

http://www.ktvb.com/article/news/politics/idaho-house-panel-introduces-speed-limit-bill/277-510785415

[jeffandnicole]

Someone has started a petition (and hopefully will get the ball rolling) on permitting a 75 mph speed limit on the Garden State Parkway.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/01/petition_seeks_to_raise_garden_state_parkway_speed.html#incart_river_home

Most of the commenters seem a little upset, wondering if drivers will be forced to slow down to 75 from current allowable speeds. 

[Hurricane Rex]

The last speed increase on the Parkway - from 66 to 65 mph

[Pink Jazz]

Looks like West Virginia's bill is dead for now:
http://wvmetronews.com/2018/02/06/senate-committee-turns-down-opportunity-to-act-on-80-mph-speed-limit-bill/

[cl94]

Looks like West Virginia's bill is dead for now:
http://wvmetronews.com/2018/02/06/senate-committee-turns-down-opportunity-to-act-on-80-mph-speed-limit-bill/

80 is a bit excessive for West Virginia, IMO. The Interstates don't have enough straightaways. Even mountainous areas of the west generally don't have 80 mph limits. I could see 75, though.

[Pink Jazz]

Looks like West Virginia's bill is dead for now:
http://wvmetronews.com/2018/02/06/senate-committee-turns-down-opportunity-to-act-on-80-mph-speed-limit-bill/

80 is a bit excessive for West Virginia, IMO. The Interstates don't have enough straightaways. Even mountainous areas of the west generally don't have 80 mph limits. I could see 75, though.

Which is why I don't see Colorado doing it either.

[hotdogPi]

Looks like West Virginia's bill is dead for now:
http://wvmetronews.com/2018/02/06/senate-committee-turns-down-opportunity-to-act-on-80-mph-speed-limit-bill/

80 is a bit excessive for West Virginia, IMO. The Interstates don't have enough straightaways. Even mountainous areas of the west generally don't have 80 mph limits. I could see 75, though.

Which is why I don't see Colorado doing it either.

What about I-70 east of Denver and I-76 (which, contrary to popular belief, are not mountainous)?

[cl94]

Looks like West Virginia's bill is dead for now:
http://wvmetronews.com/2018/02/06/senate-committee-turns-down-opportunity-to-act-on-80-mph-speed-limit-bill/

80 is a bit excessive for West Virginia, IMO. The Interstates don't have enough straightaways. Even mountainous areas of the west generally don't have 80 mph limits. I could see 75, though.

Which is why I don't see Colorado doing it either.

What about I-70 east of Denver and I-76 (which, contrary to popular belief, are not mountainous)?

Colorado isn't 100% mountains. East of I-25 is practically an extension of Kansas. West Virginia, on the other hand, is all mountains.

[Revive 755]

New bill for Nebraska could eventually lead to parts of I-80 being posted at 80:  http://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/nebraskans-weigh-in-on-proposal-to-raise-speed-limits/article_16598c66-5303-532a-b6f8-433c0459a0c0.html

[mrcmc888]

Tennessee has to reduce the area which legally has to be signed 55 mph.  That speed limit through a downtown is fine, but for suburbs 8 miles out it's ridiculous.  Up it to 65.

[Hurricane Rex]

Mississippi to 75? http://www.landlinemag.com/story.aspx?storyid=71567#.WoKZSHOIY0M

Also mentions teucks slowing to 45 in inclement bad weather.

[seicer]

Tennessee has to reduce the area which legally has to be signed 55 mph.  That speed limit through a downtown is fine, but for suburbs 8 miles out it's ridiculous.  Up it to 65.

Come to Pennsylvania! It's 55 MPH anywhere where there is the presence of a human being!

[jeffandnicole]

Tennessee has to reduce the area which legally has to be signed 55 mph.  That speed limit through a downtown is fine, but for suburbs 8 miles out it's ridiculous.  Up it to 65.

Come to Pennsylvania! It's 55 MPH anywhere where there is the presence of a human being!

The PA Turnpike's 70 mph zones in the greater Philly region claims otherwise.

[cl94]

Tennessee has to reduce the area which legally has to be signed 55 mph.  That speed limit through a downtown is fine, but for suburbs 8 miles out it's ridiculous.  Up it to 65.

Come to Pennsylvania! It's 55 MPH anywhere where there is the presence of a human being!

The PA Turnpike's 70 mph zones in the greater Philly region claims otherwise.

The PA Turnpike has an exemption here. Outside of the Turnpike system, speed limits in "urbanized areas" can go no higher than 55. Which, yes, includes 1/3 of I-90's length in the state and ridiculous amounts of I-81. And the worst part is that the cops actually enforce these stupid limits.

[jeffandnicole]

Tennessee has to reduce the area which legally has to be signed 55 mph.  That speed limit through a downtown is fine, but for suburbs 8 miles out it's ridiculous.  Up it to 65.

Come to Pennsylvania! It's 55 MPH anywhere where there is the presence of a human being!

The PA Turnpike's 70 mph zones in the greater Philly region claims otherwise.

The PA Turnpike has an exemption here. Outside of the Turnpike system, speed limits in "urbanized areas" can go no higher than 55. Which, yes, includes 1/3 of I-90's length in the state and ridiculous amounts of I-81. And the worst part is that the cops actually enforce these stupid limits.

Thankfully, not on I-95 or I-476.

[Hurricane Rex]

For Nebraska's proposal, "safety advocates" are at it again, saying raising the speed limit will raise the amount of crashes and deaths ignoring the 85th% rule. Also in slight disbelief (how I take it) at South Dakota's decrease in accidents after the increase.

Edit: I forgot to do this http://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/nebraskans-weigh-in-on-proposal-to-raise-speed-limits/article_16598c66-5303-532a-b6f8-433c0459a0c0.html

[Kniwt]

Another 30 miles of I-80 in Nevada, from Wendover to Oasis, has been increased from 75mph to 80mph:
http://elkodaily.com/news/local/state-raises-speed-limit-on-portion-of-i--in/article_409b5806-1a59-5ff9-8ab0-f6be265955a3.html

The department is continuing to evaluate other sections of I-80 but there are no immediate plans for additional changes.

[lordsutch]

Mississippi to 75? http://www.landlinemag.com/story.aspx?storyid=71567#.WoKZSHOIY0M

The bill is already dead.

[Plutonic Panda]

Oklahoma has a bill to increase speed limits to 80MPH on four turnpikes:

Turner Turnpike
Indian Nation Turnpike
H.E. Bailey Turnpike
Cimarron Turnpike

http://ktul.com/news/local/bill-to-increase-speed-limit-on-some-turnpikes-passes-senate