Texas Plans to increase Speed limit to 85

[Woody]

Do you think this is a good idea?

[Bravus]

If the roads and the vehicles can handle it, why not?

Most of our speed limits haven't changed in 40 years, yet compare the handling and brakes and tyres of modern vehicles to those of the 60s.

There is even some research to suggest that in places where people take long journeys (and Texas is one of those), higher speed limits are *safer* because people stay on the road for less time - fatigue being more dangerous than pure speed.

Of course there's always human error, and better driver training can help with that. More enforcement of things like phoning and texting while driving, drink driving, tailgating, illegal u-turns (a very common cause of fatalities) and so on would also be helpful.

[Bravus]

85 mph = 137 km/h. Plenty of roads in Germany have no limits and low death tolls, and the same in our Northern Territory until recently.

'Speed kills' is such a narrow slogan and view as to be almost completely unhelpful if the goal is to reduce the road toll.

[Liz]

Yes, I do think it's a good idea. And if you've ever driven our highways you would too. There are such looooong distances between where you are and where you want to be.

[Woody]

People usually drive 10-15 miles per hour over the limit. Do you think that is still safe?

[Liz]

'Speed kills' is such a narrow slogan and view as to be almost completely unhelpful if the goal is to reduce the road toll.

Bravus said it well. Also, there is talk of implementing those road blocks where they test for drunk driving--I can't remember what those are called. So in theory, the drunk drivers won't be going that fast.

Do *I* think it's safe? <shrug> I don't know. To be honest I'm not entirely sure my car will do 100.

[Gerr]

Do you think this is a good idea?

Excellent move!!! All the western states should raise their speed limit. It seems to take forever driving across Tex. 65 mph speed limit is ridiculous. Try driving through Wyoming or Montana also at 65!

[Gerr]

People usually drive 10-15 miles per hour over the limit. Do you think that is still safe?

I doubt that I'd be going much above a 85 mph speed limit. For one thing, at that speed the mileage takes a dive.

[Dr. Shane]

Changing the speed limit to 85 would mean I could shave 1/2 hour off the drive to my corporate office each way. Since it appears I will soon be working out of my corporate office and only seeing the family on the weekends, that would mean 1/2 hour more with the kids on Friday and 1/2 hour more sleep on Monday morning.

[LifeHiscost]

Changing the speed limit to 85 would mean I could shave 1/2 hour off the drive to my corporate office each way. Since it appears I will soon be working out of my corporate office and only seeing the family on the weekends, that would mean 1/2 hour more with the kids on Friday and 1/2 hour more sleep on Monday morning.

It is quoted as fact that there are just as many accidents from falling asleep at the wheel as having an accident while intoxicated. At 85 miles/hr, let the slaughter begin.

God blesses!

[Kountzer]

As I understand it the proposal for 85mph is only for certain stretches of highways. 85 will not be the speed limit for every highway in Texas. On certain lonesome stretches of highway, like I-10 between San Antonio and El Paso 85 is probably the de facto speed limit anyway.