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Texas raises speed limit to 85 mph on busy highway

USA Today -- Texas will soon open a stretch of highway with the highest speed limit in the country, giving eager drivers a chance to rip through a trip between two of the state's largest metropolitan areas.

The Texas Transportation Commission has approved a speed limit of 85 miles per hour for a 41-mile toll road several miles east of the increasingly crowded Interstate 35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio.

"I would love it," Austin resident Alan Guckian said. "Sometimes it's fun to just open it up."

But while some drivers will want to test their horsepower and radar detectors, others are asking if safety is taking a backseat.

"The research is clear that when speed limits go up, fatalities go up," said Russ Rader, a spokesman for the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

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Submitted Sep 07, 2012 By: brbaritone

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flagtown25 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,177 Points:493,155 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Sep 26, 2012 4:47:39 PM Ignore flagtown25 Report Abuse Too fast!
wshutton Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,672 Points:925,170 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 1:02:57 PM Ignore wshutton Report Abuse I wish we could do that somewhere in rural California.
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,260 Points:1,362,155 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:35:39 AM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse The tires are an issue. Can't believe how often my Vette gets passed by Prius on skinny tires and minivans who don't understand they are one unexpected event away from being a bouncing ball. Skinny tires are great for low aero drag and gas mileage but they are not good in event of a need to maneuver. And this problem isn't limited cheap tires.
91Prem Rookie Author Sacramento Posts:9 Points:16,220 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 11:21:19 AM Ignore 91Prem Report Abuse Toll Road for 85 speed limit. So those who want to drive at those speeds have an opportunity to chose. I'm curious to see what the toll will be and what the effect of these increased speeds will be. I think its alright. If you don't want to be driving 85 then don't, use another route. If you do want to drive at 85, and pay to do it in both toll and gas terms, then go ahead. My concern is for those who will be operating at those speeds who shouldn't be, phone users, substance abusers, and maybe even the family which parents are distracted with those in back. I wonder if this 41 mile stretch will be well lit for night driving conditions. 41 miles @ 85 mph comes to 28m : 56.47s for full length of toll from Austin to Seguin. Any Texas drivers out there with input regarding the current commute from each point? Would you benefit from this? I personally wouldn't mind to legally drive at 85 :)
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,968 Points:2,118,365 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 10:37:10 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse So the speed limit has finally caught up with the "normal" speed so many people drive...
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,095 Points:1,623,180 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 1:27:05 AM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Great point on the tire issue AviatorBob. Since most of the noted tires are now the extremely low quality Made in China junk, there will be serious tire blowouts at the higher speeds. No matter what tire brand you choose, please avoid these dangerous Chinese doughnuts for the sake of yourself and your family. All brands now have a least some Made in mainland China junk tires.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,095 Points:1,623,180 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 1:21:17 AM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse How wonderful to zip across the Texas barrens as quickly as possible, but how many times do we have to see this same news over and over here. It will happen soon. Yahoo! So is the Texas Highway Patrol stop and ticket threshold set at 95 or 100 mph for this stretch?
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,825 Points:643,250 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:58:13 AM Ignore bston Report Abuse Seems crazy!
StanleyCup All-Star Author Chicago Posts:685 Points:527,200 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:53:29 AM Ignore StanleyCup Report Abuse Ever clean-up after a high speed crash....it's not a pretty sight.
crreed1 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,990 Points:2,527,310 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:20:08 AM Ignore crreed1 Report Abuse they have openings in the grave yard
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:17:27 AM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Wait till the wrecks begin happening. Nutty drivers.
boatfloyd Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,723 Points:388,950 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:12:35 AM Ignore boatfloyd Report Abuse It pretty lonely out there.
KnoxGasPriceSpy Champion Author Knoxville Posts:140,874 Points:920,795 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:09:53 AM Ignore KnoxGasPriceSpy Report Abuse people will drive faster
Bill68Prius Champion Author Maryland Posts:9,414 Points:1,737,885 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:09:39 AM Ignore Bill68Prius Report Abuse Drive 55, stay in right lane, and put on hazard lights.
txkrb Champion Author Texas Posts:1,563 Points:639,665 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:08:39 AM Ignore txkrb Report Abuse 80 mph is too fast for many drivers, 70 mph is fast enough and most are already driving 5-10 over the posted speed any way
Beau2140 Champion Author New York Posts:8,301 Points:1,658,135 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:08:03 AM Ignore Beau2140 Report Abuse At that speed a small mistake could end in death.
Go4EVA Sophomore Author Houston Posts:186 Points:66,195 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:08:00 AM Ignore Go4EVA Report Abuse FYI - They are referring to 85 mph on a Toll Road that opens in Nov. to relief traffic from 'busy' I-35. The article title is misleading to say the least!!
SteelPenny Champion Author Dallas Posts:30,971 Points:2,608,465 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:07:09 AM Ignore SteelPenny Report Abuse too slow
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:5,497 Points:1,511,355 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:06:41 AM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse I don't understand the "busy highway" label when it is not open for business yet. What the hell is the hurry anyway?
celtic14 Champion Author Florida Posts:1,328 Points:2,131,345 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:05:53 AM Ignore celtic14 Report Abuse The limit needs to be lower at night. The vast majority of vehicles will overdrive their headlights at 85. I grew up in west Texas during the '60s-70s, and the Interstates had separate day/night speed limits, usually 70/65. @ fajeff01: In addition to what you mention, the Autobahns are also built better, which also makes higher speeds safe.
jrschl Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,972 Points:682,040 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:05:43 AM Ignore jrschl Report Abuse Ah!!! The wind whipping through your hair.
gus8441 Champion Author Baltimore Posts:2,119 Points:443,800 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:05:15 AM Ignore gus8441 Report Abuse go texas!
cokezero All-Star Author Philadelphia Posts:830 Points:401,510 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:04:47 AM Ignore cokezero Report Abuse okk
hamdriver Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,479 Points:1,378,825 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:03:07 AM Ignore hamdriver Report Abuse Let 'em rip
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,697 Points:539,020 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:02:03 AM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse the new autobaun!
ace12012 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,675 Points:325,885 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:01:56 AM Ignore ace12012 Report Abuse think I will stay off that road.
fajeff01 All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:652 Points:1,322,965 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2012 12:01:21 AM Ignore fajeff01 Report Abuse Russ Rader must specify that it is in AMERICA where "when speed limits go up, fatalities go up." In Germany where the process to obtain a driver's license is MUCH more thorough and expensive than in America, even on spreads of the AutoBahn where there are no limits on speed there percentage of fatalities is still FAR LESS than in the US when compared to US drivers in 65 MPH speed limit highway areas. Be thorough in your "research" next time.
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,703 Points:1,639,145 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:59:08 PM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse This will save money on obummercare since most people will not survive the crash.
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,703 Points:1,639,145 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:57:55 PM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse ok
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,074 Points:1,628,200 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:57:04 PM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse Buy class z tires
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,390 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:54:32 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse An 85mph speed limit just means that now everyone will drive 95mph. I wanna know how truck tires bought at BJs and Sam's Club hold up at those speeds.
vjs3 Champion Author Denver Posts:2,546 Points:650,890 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:54:28 PM Ignore vjs3 Report Abuse Just because drivers are already hitting 85+ mph doesn't make it safe...
heartbroken2010 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,349 Points:898,510 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:54:27 PM Ignore heartbroken2010 Report Abuse unsure on this one.
mplato Champion Author Columbia Posts:8,254 Points:1,816,245 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:54:20 PM Ignore mplato Report Abuse on busy highways......thats not a good idea....sorry Texas
Bearcat500 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:9,731 Points:1,632,250 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:54:14 PM Ignore Bearcat500 Report Abuse ok
Mills43 Sophomore Author Madison Posts:205 Points:360,250 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:53:19 PM Ignore Mills43 Report Abuse That is cool, but it may be a little fast, since you can go 8-9 over the limit.....I would probably not go much more than 89. A 75 limit allows a speed of 84, which is awesome!
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,557 Points:1,919,755 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:52:35 PM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse People are already driving 85mph!
rx7racerca Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,201 Points:1,113,925 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:52:25 PM Ignore rx7racerca Report Abuse The insurance industry rep is pretty much lying - high speeds on roads designed for it such as freeways and interstates are not associated with higher accident or death rates - in fact, the opposite is true - only speeding in residential or business or industrial areas and the like, where there is a lot of traffic, and a lot of intersections, pedestrians, lights, and other traffic control measures that get blown by speeders. This is a large part of why Europe, despite generally having 80mph limits (130kmh), and in some areas no or much higher limits, has consistently for decades had lower accident and fatality rates. [Edited by: rx7racerca at 9/7/2012 11:54:22 PM EST]
WhiskersTheCat All-Star Author Austin Posts:821 Points:1,322,575 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:52:02 PM Ignore WhiskersTheCat Report Abuse Uuummm, why not 120 mph? Then you would have more people paying the toll to test their cars out.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,857 Points:1,613,225 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:50:42 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse “At 85 mph, the cash payment balloons to $100 million or a higher percentage of toll revenues.” Ah, trading human lives for cash, a basic Republican principle.
saleboss Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,929 Points:1,177,875 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:50:12 PM Ignore saleboss Report Abuse I think 75 mph is already too fast for most drivers!!!!
Beaveronparade Champion Author Hartford Posts:2,105 Points:635,825 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:49:15 PM Ignore Beaveronparade Report Abuse I personally think they will see more accidents! That's very fast!
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,329 Points:1,532,975 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:49:12 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse I don't believe there is a majority of drivers who can properly handle a vehicle at higher speeds safely on a regular basis. In all the years I have been racing stock cars all over North America I have seen so many so called professional race drivers who should not be on the road let alone on a race track. We teach race driving techniques at a race driving school a friend owns and so many people who come out and try are just not that capable behind the wheel and many younger drivers are worse than the young drivers just 10 years ago.
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,023 Points:523,990 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:49:01 PM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse Yea, increase speed; however you can't raise human reaction time! Too many have to be somewhere yesterday; plan your trip, including drive times, no need for increased speed. Wish people would learn to smell the roses while their alive. Their family maybe the only one's that may get to smell your roses one last time. Just because you can raise speed limit, does not mean it's the proper thing to do!
dollarwatcher Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:7,945 Points:1,535,970 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:47:49 PM Ignore dollarwatcher Report Abuse Hope those drivers have a SR (speed rateing) stamped on their tires.
darkknight1 Champion Author Winston-Salem Posts:4,340 Points:896,810 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:45:19 PM Ignore darkknight1 Report Abuse Yay for Texas! I know people that drive that fast (illegally) here in NC.
FuelOilOH Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,837 Points:1,180,220 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:43:28 PM Ignore FuelOilOH Report Abuse Heck, 85 is the normal left hand lane speed during rush hour around Cleveland. Just don't get caught doing it!
ScottE Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,352 Points:2,199,730 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:42:20 PM Ignore ScottE Report Abuse a little dangerous. but less than 1/2 hour till you travel it.
KDMWI Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:4,208 Points:382,620 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:41:16 PM Ignore KDMWI Report Abuse The real reason for the speed limit increase is about money. The last part of the article says: The state contract with the toll operator allows the state to collect a $67 million up-front cash payment or a percentage of the toll profits in the future if the speed limit is 80 mph or lower. At 85 mph, the cash payment balloons to $100 million or a higher percentage of toll revenues.
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,038 Points:1,700,375 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2012 11:40:03 PM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse Good for them.