Texas opens fastest hwy in nation, 85 mph. Is it too fast??

[powderman]

Texas opens highway with 85 mph speed limit, fastest in America -- is it too fast?  By Maggie Kerkman
Published October 24, 2012
FoxNews.com   

•    

  SAN ANTONIO –  On one brand new stretch of toll road southeast of Austin, Texas, you can cruise at 85 mph and not worry about being pulled over for speeding.
That’s because starting Wednesday, on this 41-mile segment of road, 85 mph is the legal speed limit. It’s the highest in the country, and some are wondering whether it might be a little too high.
 
The new section of toll road provides an alternative to I-35, the congested artery that’s the spine of the Texas highway system. People who have driven between San Antonio and Austin can attest to the traffic -- it can be bumper to bumper. In addition to long haul truckers headed from the border to the interior of the U.S. and back, there are also soccer moms hopping on and off to get to Walmart and thousands of suburban commuters headed into the office.
So an alternate highway makes sense, but why 85 mph? Clearly drivers want to get where they’re going faster, and at 85 mph, the new toll road potentially cuts the drive time from Austin to San Antonio in half.
 
The Texas Department of Transportation says although it’s fast, the new speed limit is safe. The road was designed for it. It’s straight and through rural areas. But critics point out the Transportation Department had a financial incentive to set the speed higher.
As part of its contract with SH130 Concession Co., the company funding the new toll road, the state would receive $67 million for setting the speed limit at 80 mph and $100 million if the speed was 85 mph. Even so, Chris Lippincott, a spokesman for the company, said, “Drivers retain the ultimate responsibility for safety.”
 
The high speed has some concerned. Groups like the Governors Highway Safety Association point out that as speeds go up, so do fatalities.
“Speeding is a big issue where we are not making progress,” the association's Jonathan Adkins said. He said although seatbelt use is up and drunken driving is down, deaths due to speeding continue to climb. In fact, he said, 13,000 traffic deaths each year are due to speeding.
 
And what about the tendency to drive five to 10 miles over any posted speed limit? Does that mean cars really will be cruising closer to 100 mph?
The company points out that the state can revise its posted speed limits at any time if it turns out 85 mph is, in fact, too fast. Officers will be patrolling the new road, and Texas law enforcement sources say although it’s up to each individual officer, they can ticket drivers for going just a mile over the speed limit.
 
There also might be a financial consideration for drivers to stay under 85 mph. The Department of Energy estimates that for each 5 mph you go over 50 mph, you pay about a quarter extra a gallon in lost fuel efficiency.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/10/24/fastest-road-in-america-opens-to-motorists-in-texas/#ixzz2AJgbxiOR

[Conan The Librarian]

It's preposterous to claim that it's too fast. The model of a 60 to 70 mph speed limit on the open highway is a relic of the 1960s, when cars were death traps compared to what they are today. No seatbelts, no airbags, no highly developed crush zones, relatively primitive and failure prone tires. Fifty years ago, when there were far fewer drivers, there were about 60 thousand traffic fatalities per year. Now it's about 45 thousand, and only about a fifth of these have speed as a major factor. Like so many other things, the laws are way behind the times.
 
Kudos to Texas for making a realistic assessment of a sensible speed limit using modern roads, cars, and traffic patterns instead of just a "that's the way we've always done it" approach.
 
 

[BUGEYE]

when there's a wreck, it'll be spectacular....

[guzzijohn]

Quote from BUGEYE:
"when there's a wreck, it'll be spectacular...."


Probably the biggest chance of a wreck (outside of DUI or texting) will be when some idiot drives 60mph or less on that highway.
GuzziJohn

[yellowtail3]

Is it too fast? No. Heck, my near 20 year-old Escort Wagon is more stable & handles better at 90mph (which it almost never sees) than the '66 and '67 Mustangs I learned to drive on. Newer cars are far better. Your average sedan these days - even cheap ones - is much more capable than most sports cars of the sixties. The roads mentioned - I know the area, having grown up in Austin - they're fine at 100+, so long as one practices reasonable lane discipline, and slows down a touch before passing doddering types drifting in/out of the slow lane.

85mph, too fast? Of course not. The problems will come from poor lane discipline, esp idiots who think they should hog the left (passing) lane when they could simply move to the right.

[Larry L]

I guess articles like this are what happens when you let a woman write about man stuff- she's clueless. We've been running those speeds and more on IH35 North into Austin from San Antonio for the last 20 years. Most of the hiway (IH35) is 4 to 5 lanes wide and it's not uncommon to see a group of cars or trucks running at or over 100 mph. This reporter should take a drive out IH10 from San Antonio to El Paso, then she'll really get to see some speeding. The speed limit there is just how fast yer car can run and stay together for the next 6 hours. It takes a lifetime to drive that hiway at the posted 80mph. Since this stretch of road has been open I've never heard of any wrecks.

[BUGEYE]

Quote from BUGEYE:
"when there's a wreck, it'll be spectacular...."


Probably the biggest chance of a wreck (outside of DUI or texting) will be when some idiot drives 60mph or less on that highway.
GuzziJohn

I'm that idiot you're referring to.   in a race, the fast car usually wins.  but, sometimes it leaves the track "on the hook".   I'll take my chances at 55mph.  besides, I burn less gas.

[curteric]

The only problem is the nut holding the steering wheel! Everything else is fully capable of even greater speeds. I can also state that as a person from the Duluth MN area, I have driven to El Paso. How many people can say that they have driven the entire length of any Highway? Larry L is right they have been driving as fast or faster than 85 every time I've been there. 

[guzzijohn]

Quote from BUGEYE:
"I'm that idiot you're referring to.   in a race, the fast car usually wins.  but, sometimes it leaves the track "on the hook".   I'll take my chances at 55mph.  besides, I burn less gas."


Then do you and the rest of us a favor and take the backroads when you can. In most cases speed does not kill but differential speed does.
GuzziJohn

[yellowtail3]

Larry L is right they have been driving as fast or faster than 85 every time I've been there.

what sucks is that reasonable speeds are still fair game for Kops, who have revenoo to collect & Authority to Exercise. Plus, traffic stops are a fine way to start their drug warrioring... "do you mind if we search your vehicle? You don't have anything to hide, do you... ?"

[Brett]

I'm with the majority here. Modern roads and vehicles are safely capable of traveling at those speeds.

[Conan The Librarian]

I too prefer to drive around 60 to 65 on the interstate, but am always aware of traffic, and increase or decrease speed accordingly for safety. Most stretches of interstate don't have a lot of traffic congestion, so people driving 50 do coexist reasonably well with people driving 90. Driving significantly slower than normal has all the risks and responsibilities of driving faster than normal.

[BUGEYE]

Quote from BUGEYE:
"I'm that idiot you're referring to.   in a race, the fast car usually wins.  but, sometimes it leaves the track "on the hook".   I'll take my chances at 55mph.  besides, I burn less gas."


Then do you and the rest of us a favor and take the backroads when you can. In most cases speed does not kill but differential speed does.
GuzziJohn

In a race, the fast cars PASS the slow ones,  but if you are blind and can't see them, maybe you're the idiot. if under the 70mph limit, folks drove 85, then under the 85mph limit they'll probably feel comfortable doing 100mph.
I have paid a lot of gas-tax and sales-tax in the great state of Texas and so far they haven't told me to stay off the road.
choose the speed you want to drive, just like I choose mine.

[FPH]

Quote from BUGEYE:
"when there's a wreck, it'll be spectacular...."


Probably the biggest chance of a wreck (outside of DUI or texting) will be when some idiot drives 60mph or less on that highway.
GuzziJohn

I'm that idiot you're referring to.   in a race, the fast car usually wins.  but, sometimes it leaves the track "on the hook".   I'll take my chances at 55mph.  besides, I burn less gas.

Just stay in the right had lane please.

[FPH]

hand

[BUGEYE]

Quote from BUGEYE:
"when there's a wreck, it'll be spectacular...."


Probably the biggest chance of a wreck (outside of DUI or texting) will be when some idiot drives 60mph or less on that highway.
GuzziJohn

I'm that idiot you're referring to.   in a race, the fast car usually wins.  but, sometimes it leaves the track "on the hook".   I'll take my chances at 55mph.  besides, I burn less gas.

Just stay in the right had lane please.

that's where I stay, except on the rare occasion when I need to pass someone that's even slower than me.   and I do patiently wait until I can do it without making the fast folks kick-out their cruise-control.

[yellowtail3]

Good on you, Bugeye, for staying right. Kudos.

Here's a flowchart for Bad Drivers:

[Anna]

My Mazda Miada is well capable of driving over 100mph , and its fuel consumption is effected very  little in between 60 or even higher.  Of course I never do that ,just saying . 

[williamlayton]

Folks--listen to yourownselves and laugh at yourownselves.
We have been driving 85MPH on many Hwy's in Texas forever--some times we get caught---sometimes we are ignored.
From my experience, driving the IH's in this country, most erybody does it.
I remember almost getting run over--well I got outrun--by a bunch of 18 wheelers on IH 80 about 5/6 years ago and I was doing 85. I woulda kept up but it was raining and my wife was with me.
ZBlessings

[BUGEYE]

modern engines from both asia and europe are well made machines.  look at indy cars, 10,000rpm is nothing to them. and nascar engines approach 10,000.
but of course you need to make sure your tires and other car parts are up to snuff.
like I said, the wrecks at high speed are spectacular.
when your car goes airborne or flipping end over end, I hope some innocent folks don't get caught up in it.

some years ago my wife and I were driving west on I-40 in a heavy snow-storm when a VW van passed us doing about 70mph, she asked why we couldn't go that fast.  well, the next bridge we came to, there was the van with Christmas presents scattered all over.  the police were already there and working on someone in the van which was on its side.
my wife said, oh....

[mrcooper]

i under stand their dropping it to 75 miles per hr while TEXING

[Bear Rider]

Quote from BUGEYE:
"when there's a wreck, it'll be spectacular...."


Probably the biggest chance of a wreck (outside of DUI or texting) will be when some idiot drives 60mph or less on that highway.
GuzziJohn

I'm that idiot you're referring to.   in a race, the fast car usually wins.  but, sometimes it leaves the track "on the hook".   I'll take my chances at 55mph.  besides, I burn less gas.

If you drive markedly slower than the prevailing traffic on any highway, you are endangering everyone, including yourself due to the turbulence that you create in the traffic flow, and should be ticketed for obstructing traffic.  Some states have recognized this on undivided highways and give tickets for failure to pull over when you are being followed by (IIRC) five cars.

[Shu]

85 is not to fast unless it's blinding rain or snowing.
On I15 between Barstow and Vegas if you're doing 85 you will be passed by alot of cars.

[BUGEYE]

Quote from BUGEYE:
"when there's a wreck, it'll be spectacular...."


Probably the biggest chance of a wreck (outside of DUI or texting) will be when some idiot drives 60mph or less on that highway.
GuzziJohn

I'm that idiot you're referring to.   in a race, the fast car usually wins.  but, sometimes it leaves the track "on the hook".   I'll take my chances at 55mph.  besides, I burn less gas.

If you drive markedly slower than the prevailing traffic on any highway, you are endangering everyone, including yourself due to the turbulence that you create in the traffic flow, and should be ticketed for obstructing traffic.  Some states have recognized this on undivided highways and give tickets for failure to pull over when you are being followed by (IIRC) five cars.

turbulence?? what a crock... turbulence is when a semi passes you going 90mph.
it really amazes me that supposedly conservative people would take away my right to drive at my chosen speed, which by the way is 15mph faster than the minimum.  I don't tell you to slow down, so don't tell me to speed up and break the law.  then when when you speeders get a ticket for BREAKING THE LAW you complain about predatory cops.  what hypocrisy.

MATCHLOCK! ANYTHING ELSE IS IMITATION

[Ranger99]

it's a good deal.
as said before, modern vehicles can
maintain that speed and navigate safely.
we also have a yearly state safety inspection
that has to be done to make sure your auto
isn't a rattletrap. all over the state there are
signs that state "slower traffic keep right" and
"left lane for passing only" . have no problems
with slower drivers myself as long as they abide
by these rules. i'll drive 55 or less myself if i happen
to be pulling a heavy trailer or the like. as said,
the biggest problem are the cell-phone talkers and
the texters, then i'd have to say the folks going to
and from the casinos. and i've always been fascinated
by the folks that buy cheap shoddy brakes or tires or
shock absorbers then wonder why they ended up in
the bar ditch. must be them rich automakers fault.

[mechanic]

Texas ain't the first...Atlantans have been driving 85 for years...
 
Ben

[briarpatch]

Its just 41 miles guys. A little less than 30 minutes. A big deal about nothing.

[Ranger99]

i wasn't aware, but they had tested it
before it was open to check the cameras
and the toll-tag readers with hot-rod cars
driving up to and at 220 m.p.h.


ought to be plenty safe at 85


oh . . . .the drivers weren't texting though. . .

[gypsyman]

If the road is designed for it, shouldn't be a problem. Biggest factor is, the idiot behind the wheel. I normally go pretty much the speed limit. Keep it within 5mph. (70 in a 65,etc.)  What fires me up, is when a driver in the extreme left lane, usually going 15 to 20 mph over the speed limit, cuts across 1, or sometimes 2 lanes to the right, trying to make an exit ramp. And cut right in front of me, or one time I seen, a semi. He didn't make it. I slowed down long enough watch the car quit rolling. Hope he didn't breed to pass on the stupid gene.

[Bear Rider]

If you drive markedly slower than the prevailing traffic on any highway, you are endangering everyone, including yourself due to the turbulence that you create in the traffic flow, and should be ticketed for obstructing traffic.  Some states have recognized this on undivided highways and give tickets for failure to pull over when you are being followed by (IIRC) five cars.

turbulence?? what a crock... turbulence is when a semi passes you going 90mph.
it really amazes me that supposedly conservative people would take away my right to drive at my chosen speed, which by the way is 15mph faster than the minimum.  I don't tell you to slow down, so don't tell me to speed up and break the law.  then when when you speeders get a ticket for BREAKING THE LAW you complain about predatory cops.  what hypocrisy.

MATCHLOCK! ANYTHING ELSE IS IMITATION

First of all, I didn't tell you to break the law. That's just a BS smokescreen you've thrown up for lack of a substantive argument. Secondly, I have over a million miles behind the wheel without an accident, in more traffic and weather conditions than you can possibly imagine. Thirdly, I have been one of those "predatory cops". Finally, I have studied the dynamics of traffic flow and its relationship to accidents rather than simply puttering along in complete ignorance.

What hubris on your part.