Texas Raising Limits to 80 MPH?
05-18-2006, 01:22 AM
#1
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Texas Raising Limits to 80 MPH?
Texas Raising Limits to 80 MPH? - - Source: The Car Connection
The Lone Star State is threatening to break the 75-mph stranglehold on U.S. speed limits, according to a report from USA Today. The nation's daily newspaper-their tagline, not ours-says that the state Department of Transportation is proposing that sections of Interstate 10 and 20 in West Texas notch up their speed limits to 80 mph. The move, of course, has safety mavens in a tizzy: a spokesperson for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says it comes down to "trading lives for faster travel times." The state's DOT says that most drivers already are traveling near the proposed speed limit, however. The paper recalls that the last 80-mph speed limit signs in America would have been found in 1974, before 55 mph became the law of the land.
05-18-2006, 01:45 AM
#3
Pit Stop?
At the very least the limit should raise during low traffic hours, like 3am. There is no reason to go 55mph on a road with no one else but you on it and it goes perfectly straight 
05-18-2006, 02:04 AM
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I think 75 mph is fine. Anything above that and the braking distances get really really long.
If people were better drivers and werent driving 6,000 pound SUV's, I'd much more likely to support it.
If people were better drivers and werent driving 6,000 pound SUV's, I'd much more likely to support it.
05-18-2006, 02:39 AM
#6
Team Owner
75?? wellin so cal most of the speed limit is 65... which i think is retarded.. fucking trucks go faster than that.
i can live with 75/80. 100 mph is too much.
i can live with 75/80. 100 mph is too much.
05-18-2006, 05:31 AM
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definately need a faster speed limit along highway 5, that stretch of road from norcal to socal is just WAAAAY to long to be limited at 70mph, besides no one goes 70mph along highway 5, everyone i see goes 80-90
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05-18-2006, 11:30 AM
#8
Race Director
The Autobahn has lower per mile and per capita accident and fatality rates than most roads in the US.
The speed limit should be that 90th percentile speed at which motorist generally drive on that strech of road, with the caveat that it should be less if the road was not designed for that speed. Most humans have a built in sense of the safe driving speed. That is usually below the safety levels of todays' road and vehicle designs. Road speeds should be made with respect to safety and not based on gas milage concerns nor the localities' revenue collection reasons.
100MPH may very well be perfectly safe on a certain strech of road.
The speed limit should be that 90th percentile speed at which motorist generally drive on that strech of road, with the caveat that it should be less if the road was not designed for that speed. Most humans have a built in sense of the safe driving speed. That is usually below the safety levels of todays' road and vehicle designs. Road speeds should be made with respect to safety and not based on gas milage concerns nor the localities' revenue collection reasons.
100MPH may very well be perfectly safe on a certain strech of road.
05-18-2006, 12:00 PM
#10
I can see it in Texas or anywhere else where the roads are straight. In Texas, they have roads that have like 6 lanes each side! In NJ, mostly, there are 3 lanes each side. Once in a while you get that nice stretch of road to really let loose, but soon it merges into 3 or 2 lanes.
05-18-2006, 02:36 PM
#11
Team Owner
Originally Posted by biker
The Autobahn has lower per mile and per capita accident and fatality rates than most roads in the US.
The speed limit should be that 90th percentile speed at which motorist generally drive on that strech of road, with the caveat that it should be less if the road was not designed for that speed. Most humans have a built in sense of the safe driving speed. That is usually below the safety levels of todays' road and vehicle designs. Road speeds should be made with respect to safety and not based on gas milage concerns nor the localities' revenue collection reasons.
100MPH may very well be perfectly safe on a certain strech of road.
The speed limit should be that 90th percentile speed at which motorist generally drive on that strech of road, with the caveat that it should be less if the road was not designed for that speed. Most humans have a built in sense of the safe driving speed. That is usually below the safety levels of todays' road and vehicle designs. Road speeds should be made with respect to safety and not based on gas milage concerns nor the localities' revenue collection reasons.
100MPH may very well be perfectly safe on a certain strech of road.
maybe. but not gonna happen in So cal..... too many fucked up drivers
05-18-2006, 03:30 PM
#12
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The Autobahn is safer because to get a driver's license it is more difficult, stricter rules and costs about $1100 USD or so for it.
Also, on the autobahn, left lane is used only for passing, otherwise you have to be on the right side.
I think 75-80 MPH should be sufficient, but I would LOVE having autobahn like speeds in the US
Also, on the autobahn, left lane is used only for passing, otherwise you have to be on the right side.
I think 75-80 MPH should be sufficient, but I would LOVE having autobahn like speeds in the US
05-18-2006, 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by cTLgo
The Autobahn is safer because to get a driver's license it is more difficult, stricter rules and costs about $1100 USD or so for it.
Also, on the autobahn, left lane is used only for passing, otherwise you have to be on the right side.
I think 75-80 MPH should be sufficient, but I would LOVE having autobahn like speeds in the US
Also, on the autobahn, left lane is used only for passing, otherwise you have to be on the right side.
I think 75-80 MPH should be sufficient, but I would LOVE having autobahn like speeds in the US
05-18-2006, 03:55 PM
#14
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Germany > United States in terms of auto industry
05-18-2006, 04:10 PM
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I can see raising the speed limit when drivers begin following the basic rules first, like passing left only and staying right, yielding into the right lane as faster drivers approach etc. otherwise its worthless.
05-18-2006, 04:25 PM
#17
I have drive the entire stretch of 10 and 20 from one side of Texas to the other on many an occasion. 80 mph would not even begin to get close to some of the speeds that people travel that road. In some spots, you can literally see for miles, the road is pretty much brand new, and there is little to no traffic.
I agree with Gav, make it a hundred
I agree with Gav, make it a hundred
05-18-2006, 06:01 PM
#19
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whooooppiieeee!!!!
and to think, just a few years ago, the speed limit was lowered to 55(i think) and only to be raised back up cus of complaints....80 sounds good but big trucks should be lower
and to think, just a few years ago, the speed limit was lowered to 55(i think) and only to be raised back up cus of complaints....80 sounds good but big trucks should be lower
05-18-2006, 06:09 PM
#21
Three Wheelin'
I just got done driving from KY to NJ, and I mean just (I make the trip often to see family and friends). I definetely agree with Gav - there are certain places in which a 100mph limit isn't a nutty proposal. Heck, in the mountainous roads of W.V and Maryland, most people were travelling at around 80ish mph.
I also agree with raising speed limits during times when the road is less travelled (i.e. 3am).
I also agree with raising speed limits during times when the road is less travelled (i.e. 3am).
05-18-2006, 08:30 PM
#23
Race Director
Laws should not be made to save the idiots from themselves. If you are a dumbass (just finished watching 70s show final episode) and drive like a maniac with a poorly maintained car, that should not prevent others from going at a high but safe speed.
You don't see the Germans lowering the speed limit in face of $6/gal gas.
The law of speed approriate for the conditions still applies - you don't go 60MPH in a blizzard just cause the speed limits lets you.
You don't see the Germans lowering the speed limit in face of $6/gal gas.
The law of speed approriate for the conditions still applies - you don't go 60MPH in a blizzard just cause the speed limits lets you.
05-18-2006, 08:35 PM
#24
Race Director
Originally Posted by Maximized
Plus every year every car has to be stictly inspected(TUV). They don't let cars with poor tires, brakes, or broken tail lights on the road. The roads are also designed for high speed and are in much better shape.
Biker, who feels just as comfortable doing 100MPH on the Autobahn and on a US Interstate. The only difference is that on the Autobahn there were no worries about cops lurking to find revenue.
05-19-2006, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by biker
Laws should not be made to save the idiots from themselves. If you are a dumbass (just finished watching 70s show final episode) and drive like a maniac with a poorly maintained car, that should not prevent others from going at a high but safe speed.
You don't see the Germans lowering the speed limit in face of $6/gal gas.
The law of speed approriate for the conditions still applies - you don't go 60MPH in a blizzard just cause the speed limits lets you.
You don't see the Germans lowering the speed limit in face of $6/gal gas.
The law of speed approriate for the conditions still applies - you don't go 60MPH in a blizzard just cause the speed limits lets you.
05-19-2006, 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by biker
The first part is true - the second not so much. There's no difference in design nor general shape/maintenance between Autobahn and decent Interstate in the US.
Biker, who feels just as comfortable doing 100MPH on the Autobahn and on a US Interstate. The only difference is that on the Autobahn there were no worries about cops lurking to find revenue.
Biker, who feels just as comfortable doing 100MPH on the Autobahn and on a US Interstate. The only difference is that on the Autobahn there were no worries about cops lurking to find revenue.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the second part was true. There might not be such a difference between the design of the roads, but they are maintained much better. If there is any imperfection in the road, they repave the whole stretch, not just filling the pothole like we do here. The Autobahn is kept in great shape, and it needs to be, because hitting a small pothole @ 150mph+ would NOT be a good thing.
Also, someone mentioned that humans have a built-in sense of safe road speed. While this may be true, it doesn't mean that a specific person always follows it. A lot of the accidents today can be attributed to humans ignoring this sense, imo. Therefore I wouldn't raise the limits and expect people to be smart about it, because even if I am, they can get me killed.
05-19-2006, 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by RWalker2
Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the second part was true. There might not be such a difference between the design of the roads, but they are maintained much better. If there is any imperfection in the road, they repave the whole stretch, not just filling the pothole like we do here. The Autobahn is kept in great shape, and it needs to be, because hitting a small pothole @ 150mph+ would NOT be a good thing.
05-19-2006, 03:11 PM
#30
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Originally Posted by DownUnder
I remember watching a documentary about the Autobahn from either TLC or Discovery channel. And they mentioned that the Autobahn’s pavement is MUCH thicker then US highways.
I saw the same documentary. Autobahn construction is a totally different creature than US Interstate construction. Plus, all the turns on the Autobahn are wide sweeping turns; essentially drivers doing 105mph on the straights can pretty much maintain that speed as the road curves.
Originally Posted by cTLgo
The Autobahn is safer because to get a driver's license it is more difficult, stricter rules and costs about $1100 USD or so for it.
Also, on the autobahn, left lane is used only for passing, otherwise you have to be on the right side.
I think 75-80 MPH should be sufficient, but I would LOVE having autobahn like speeds in the US
Also, on the autobahn, left lane is used only for passing, otherwise you have to be on the right side.
I think 75-80 MPH should be sufficient, but I would LOVE having autobahn like speeds in the US
German drivers by nature focusing their 'behind the wheel' efforts at driving, unlike a good chunk of the American driving populace who spend time talking on cell phone, fiddling with the radio, eating/drinking, conversing with passengers, etc,.... The 'left lane-passing lane' rule is here in the states also. It is just that German police actually enforce that rule whereas typical state police authorities do not seem to be aware of its existence. (I cannot imagine a NY driving cruising the left lane of the autobahn at 50mph, like they do on US highways.)
05-19-2006, 09:11 PM
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People drive 80-90 in Michigan with a 70 posted limit.
Back in the 1950s and 1960s, my parents said that Arkansas and Texas drivers routinely went 90 mph. And that was with crappy old Detroit iron.
I'm really tired of all the Safety Nazis from Connecticut and California telling Middle America what to do. Them, and those Progressive Insurance jerks in Cleveland. Man I hate them too.
Back in the 1950s and 1960s, my parents said that Arkansas and Texas drivers routinely went 90 mph. And that was with crappy old Detroit iron.
I'm really tired of all the Safety Nazis from Connecticut and California telling Middle America what to do. Them, and those Progressive Insurance jerks in Cleveland. Man I hate them too.
05-19-2006, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by gavriil
Right. You dont need to go 100mph to get killed if you are a bad driver and iresponsible as a person in general. 30mph will do just fine.
Now that same shit driver at 100mph, GOOD luck getting the same results from him/her at those speeds. Most cars on the road, prob 85%, have shitty braking characteristics at high speeds. I look at regular speed brake times of cars today and think most are shit. Now start to push the limit to 100mph and all but high performance cars will be able to brake under an emergency event.
05-19-2006, 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by F23A4
I saw the same documentary. Autobahn construction is a totally different creature than US Interstate construction. Plus, all the turns on the Autobahn are wide sweeping turns; essentially drivers doing 105mph on the straights can pretty much maintain that speed as the road curves. German drivers by nature focusing their 'behind the wheel' efforts at driving, unlike a good chunk of the American driving populace who spend time talking on cell phone, fiddling with the radio, eating/drinking, conversing with passengers, etc,.... The 'left lane-passing lane' rule is here in the states also. It is just that German police actually enforce that rule whereas typical state police authorities do not seem to be aware of its existence. (I cannot imagine a NY driving cruising the left lane of the autobahn at 50mph, like they do on US highways.)
I think you are glamorizing something you don't drive on. Think most people on the Autobaun drive a normal speed limit of ~70mpg
05-20-2006, 12:03 AM
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Originally Posted by DownUnder
I remember watching a documentary about the Autobahn from either TLC or Discovery channel. And they mentioned that the Autobahn’s pavement is MUCH thicker then US highways.
05-20-2006, 01:40 AM
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Originally Posted by RWalker2
Yeah, I saw the same thing. I think it was on the discovery channel. I couldn't remember details but I did remember it was much better maintained!
05-20-2006, 09:15 AM
#36
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Originally Posted by heyitsme
I think you are glamorizing something you don't drive on. Think most people on the Autobaun drive a normal speed limit of ~70mpg
That said, I was not glamourizing about the construction of the Autobahn rather restating the facts of the documentary as well as the nature of the Autobahn itself as stated in said documentary. If you have an inherent disagreement with this, then contact The History Channel.
Last edited by F23A4; 05-20-2006 at 09:19 AM.
05-21-2006, 01:44 PM
#37
Race Director
Originally Posted by Maximized
I saw the same thing and that's where I got the info from. Biker is misinformed.
05-21-2006, 01:51 PM
#38
Race Director
Originally Posted by heyitsme
I think you are glamorizing something you don't drive on. Think most people on the Autobaun drive a normal speed limit of ~70mpg
05-21-2006, 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by biker
Biker personally drove on the Autobahn fairly frequently between 2001 and 2005 and can only repeat what was already said - in general, it is no better than a generally well maintained US Interstate. It is up to you to belive biker.
05-21-2006, 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by biker
in general, it is no better than a generally well maintained US Interstate. It is up to you to belive biker.
