Texas Raises Maximum Speed Limit
 

From: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/04/473.asp

Texas, Iowa, Indiana Raise Maximum Speed Limit

Texas raises the maximum speed limit in the state to 80 MPH, Iowa and Indiana raise theirs to 70 MPH. Texas Gov. Rick PerryDrivers in Texas, Iowa, and Indiana will enjoy higher speed limits next month as legislation raising the top speeds on rural roads takes effect.

On Friday, Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) signed HB 2257 into law making 80 MPH the maximum allowable speed in the state. Rural portions of I-10 and I-20 will enjoy the new top speed, while other rural roads could see the limit rise to 75 MPH. Both the state House and Senate adopted the legislation without opposition last month.

On July 1, a law signed by Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack (D) creating a 70 MPH speed limit goes into effect. This new limit better reflects the actual speed of cars on rural highways which averages 69.8 MPH according to sensors embedded into the pavement.

In May, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (R) signed SB 217 into law raising the maximum limit from 65 MPH to 70 MPH in areas with less than 50,000 population. The law also raises the limit for trucks from 60 to 65 MPH, and gives a 10 MPH boost to several roads currently posted at 55 MPH. The state will begin placing the higher-limit signs on July 5."

And being the skeptic I am, I went and dug up the actual House Bill...

Quote »

Texas State House of Representatives, H.B. No. 2257
AN ACT relating to the speed limit on certain highways in rural counties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 545.353, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (h-1) and amending Subsections (h) and (i) to read as follows:
(h) Notwithstanding Section 454.352(b), the commission may establish a speed limit of 75 miles per hour in daytime on a part of the highway system if:
(1) the commission determines that 75 miles per hour in daytime is a reasonable and safe speed for that part of the highway system; and
(2) that part of the highway is located in a county with a population density of less than 15 [10] persons per square mile.
(h-1) Notwithstanding Section 545.352(b), the commission may establish a speed limit of 80 miles per hour in daytime on a part of Interstate Highway 10 or Interstate Highway 20 in Crockett, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kerr, Kimble, Pecos, Reeves, Sutton, or Ward County if the commission determines that 80 miles per hour in daytime is a reasonable and safe speed for that part of the highway.
(i) The speed limits [limit] authorized by Subsections [Subsection] (h) and (h-1) do [does] not apply to:
(1) trucks, other than light trucks and light trucks pulling a trailer; and
(2) truck tractors, trailers, and semitrailers.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.

Yes! Lesser fine for my already speeding arse!

^^^ Same for me!!! :D

On the downside.... the rumors are that we can expect less tolerance when it comes to the 5-10mph over rules.

NO!!!

Now they need laws about the left lane...

Sweet! Indiana's included in that. :D There are quite a few highways around here that really need this boost... I had no idea. Thanks for the post!

Pfft. Those areas where its' applicable are in the middle of bumfuck nowhere. 99.999% of us will never see a "Speed Limit 80mph" sign and the 75mph sign is only applicable in places where a commission determines that they're safe.

yeah so in the middle of BFE you can do 80, other then that same old speed limit

I would guess that over 1/2 the regular posters here drive the "Texas Triangle" (Houston/DFW/Austin-San Antonio) on a regualr basis.

I think it will be pretty applicable for my frequent road-trips.

Sweeeet!

Well you won't be touching I-20 anywhere near the Triangle, that's only applicable to those out in El Paso. And while I-10 runs from San Antonio to Houston, none of the counties eligible to use the 80mph speed limit are on that route, they're all up toward El Paso again.

So no seeing 80mph limits unless you're going from El Paso to DFW or San Antonio or vice versa.

Perhaps you'll see 75mph limits, but the limit is already 70 on there if I recall (Can't say I really pay that much attention to posted limits.
) and in my experience, loosely enforced anyhow, so there's not much of a difference.

hehe.

good points Sigma.. maybe you deserve the "killjoy" title :P

Yeah, once a month for me.

geesh, would you prefer they lower the limit instead? honestly, lighten up homedude, good news is good news, and we need all the help we can get nowadays :)

The only problem I see with this is that with 70 mph speed limits, everyone does 80-85. With 80 mph speed limits, everyone is going to do 90-95. This will stay this way for a few years and then they'll slow it down again due to air pollution reasons and safety concerns. It'll just be a never ending cycle.

I think eventually more and more roads will be included.

In the meantime, i will continue driving however i like.. and use my good looks to get out of the tickets. HA! I wish.

you could just be like me, the color of my car is so bright it confuses the cops every time I pass by them, either that or it blinds them :D

Actually, i wouldn't mind if they lowered it.

On the highways I drive like a granny anyways. At least this way i won't look so lame, but just more normal.

is this new speed limit going to apply to the texas triangle? those hwys are crowded these days.

Well the law passed.. I suppose it will take TxDoT a couple of weeks to determine the areas they are going to change. I am watching the news (internet) for official details.

that would be nice
 

I would love to see some rules here in the states like they have in Germany about the left lane. There, you get a ticket for just "driving in the lane" especially if someone is coming up on you fast.

right of way going to the fastest ones!

:D