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jsr

(7,712 posts)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:11 PM Sep 2012

Texas to open fastest US highway with 85 mph limit

Source: Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas — 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 mph 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.

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/texas/texas-to-open-fastest-us-highway-with-85texas-to-open-fastest-us-highway-with-85-2451815.html



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Texas to open fastest US highway with 85 mph limit (Original Post) jsr Sep 2012 OP
lol. Take I95 from NH to MA... bunnies Sep 2012 #1
More like 15MPH in rush hour DavidL Sep 2012 #60
What?! bunnies Sep 2012 #87
The hwy from NYC up to Albany, I couldn't use cruise control (it won't set above 85mph) Roland99 Sep 2012 #75
Had a similar experience driving to northern Vermont recently. bunnies Sep 2012 #88
New York State Thruway alcibiades_mystery Sep 2012 #91
That's the only way to get through Texas — fast NV Whino Sep 2012 #2
Apology not accepted. Why are these comments always necessary? efhmc Sep 2012 #5
No telling. kentauros Sep 2012 #11
Because it's Texas. jtuck004 Sep 2012 #13
My husband was killed in a head on collision on a two lane hwy where efhmc Sep 2012 #17
I agree 100% this is beyond stupid!!! Heather MC Sep 2012 #44
I'm sorry about your husband. I am truly astounded that so many people are jtuck004 Sep 2012 #55
I had to make the san marcos to austin trip pretty much every day for several years trouble.smith Sep 2012 #57
It's not 35, it't the toll road east of there, which is usually pretty deserted. alarimer Sep 2012 #83
Galveston is awesome.. sendero Sep 2012 #61
Because your state is $%*#ing enormous. AtheistCrusader Sep 2012 #46
Because of the phrase: 'If you ain't Texan, you ain't shit!" Aristus Sep 2012 #49
Damn right. ronnie624 Sep 2012 #72
Bull#*@%! People from Buffalo are the "rudest sum'bucks in the whole country" hedgehog Sep 2012 #78
Texas is big BabbaTam Sep 2012 #45
why do we always need the bashing? backwoodsbob Sep 2012 #51
Imagine how far you travel at 85 mph when you're looking down at your iphone and texting... rfranklin Sep 2012 #3
The problem is phones and texting, not speed per se. Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2012 #6
Speed reduces reaction time Art_from_Ark Sep 2012 #19
Yes. Hence I wrote "per se". The speed doesn't cause the texting crash; makes it worse. Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2012 #22
But even with a fully alert driver, Art_from_Ark Sep 2012 #26
Personally, I like the 85 idea. Less nanny state and more force people to behave like adults. Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2012 #28
If you don't like "nanny state" regulations, Art_from_Ark Sep 2012 #32
Building codes are not "nanny state". They are "level playing field". Good. Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2012 #33
They are for safety, just like speed limits Art_from_Ark Sep 2012 #38
It's not that simple. See my post #28. Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2012 #39
But they don't "behave like adults" alarimer Sep 2012 #86
There are places in West TX without decent reception. hobbit709 Sep 2012 #25
Actually, chervilant Sep 2012 #27
So people could not call in accidents and emergencies? former9thward Sep 2012 #29
Really? chervilant Sep 2012 #65
I haven't seen any research. former9thward Sep 2012 #84
Good. texastoast Sep 2012 #4
Was on part of this road coming into Austin and no one was even going 40. efhmc Sep 2012 #7
Organ donor highway Loki Sep 2012 #8
I wish the (New Jersey) Garden State Parkway speed limit was 55MPH again rocktivity Sep 2012 #9
Montana used to have "Reasonable and Prudent" for its freeway's speed limits. Twinguard Sep 2012 #10
As native Texan, I get the impression that state officials kentauros Sep 2012 #15
That's a felony here in Wa AtheistCrusader Sep 2012 #47
I don't know if we have such a law or not. kentauros Sep 2012 #53
It was enacted after a woman lost her sight permanently AtheistCrusader Sep 2012 #56
I drove through Montana when it was reasonable and prudent alcibiades_mystery Sep 2012 #92
This would be a normal driving speed for me 4dsc Sep 2012 #12
Thanks for wasting gas. Zoeisright Sep 2012 #81
I wonder what hitting an armadillo at 85 mph looks like. SunSeeker Sep 2012 #14
Apology not accepted??? 1620rock Sep 2012 #16
Obviously, you and your family have not lived somewhere for over 167 efhmc Sep 2012 #24
Stay in Michigan. It is no prize despite your delusions. former9thward Sep 2012 #30
How incredibly rude. cordelia Sep 2012 #36
Because their family lives in Texas, and they value family. MicaelS Sep 2012 #37
Dude, that is low. Why is it ok to generalize like that about all the residents in a state? Dustlawyer Sep 2012 #54
Native Texan here. Manifestor_of_Light Sep 2012 #89
Brain-Dead Churlishness. Paladin Sep 2012 #64
Judging by my one experience with Michigan 4th law of robotics Sep 2012 #71
Gas is almost $4/gal, and fuel economy plummets above 55 mph NickB79 Sep 2012 #18
Yeah. I don't get it. Kolesar Sep 2012 #35
It's a toll road for people who don't care about money bananas Sep 2012 #42
what did they say during the '70s gas crises DBoon Sep 2012 #41
Bury the needle all the way to San Antone Blue Owl Sep 2012 #20
The faster the better .... Trajan Sep 2012 #21
Safety taking a backseat? Ask the Germans. mwooldri Sep 2012 #23
Thank you-"Also German driving tests are harder than US ones, with more requirements. " nt raccoon Sep 2012 #59
The Republican Way is Personal Responsibility oldsarge54 Sep 2012 #31
The speed limit in west Texas... AnneD Sep 2012 #34
And it's their right to do so via 10th Amendment Ter Sep 2012 #40
hell drive the ronald reagan tollway... madrchsod Sep 2012 #43
Lol. Try I-5 in California, anywhere north of Los Angeles. Xithras Sep 2012 #48
I'm glad you qualified that. Frank Cannon Sep 2012 #67
I was passed, on the right no less, by a CHP officer while going 95 on I-5 once. LeftyMom Sep 2012 #77
From Van Horn to El Paso burrowowl Sep 2012 #50
It's stupid: 41 miles at 70 mph takes 35 min, and going 85 saves you 7 minutes. struggle4progress Sep 2012 #52
200 mph... GTurck Sep 2012 #58
Roads are better sendero Sep 2012 #62
In other news: Texas Highway Patrol has ordered more scrapers. nt Javaman Sep 2012 #63
85? Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2012 #66
Well that's going to be an interesting experiment davidpdx Sep 2012 #68
Where we're going we don't need roads. harun Sep 2012 #69
Some places can be safe at 85, some places are too dangerous at 55 AngryAmish Sep 2012 #70
YOLO AlphaCentauri Sep 2012 #73
and NFL.... unblock Sep 2012 #76
Come on, DU Texas haters. Say it! Ishoutandscream2 Sep 2012 #74
It really shows a lack of imagination - if there is enough traffic to support a private toll road - hedgehog Sep 2012 #79
Aaaaannnnddd watch the Zoeisright Sep 2012 #80
The problem is that the speed limit is usually the minimum speed Nikia Sep 2012 #82
This is NOT the busy road (I-35); This is toll road that hardly anyone uses. alarimer Sep 2012 #85
It's State Highway 130, not I-35 jsr Sep 2012 #90
 

bunnies

(15,859 posts)
87. What?!
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:52 PM
Sep 2012

Umm ok. I drive that route every day. Twice. Have for nearly a decade and NEVER have I gone 15mph on 95. Oh, and BTW, I didnt even mention rush hour. Perhaps you should work on your reading comprehension before telling someone their personal experience is senseless. How rude.

on edit: Oh I see. You live in the UK. Obviously youre an expert on the current drive from Portsmouth to Boston.

Roland99

(53,342 posts)
75. The hwy from NYC up to Albany, I couldn't use cruise control (it won't set above 85mph)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:07 PM
Sep 2012

it was like being in a NASCAR race with like a dozen cars tightly packed doing about 90-95mph

 

alcibiades_mystery

(36,437 posts)
91. New York State Thruway
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:35 AM
Sep 2012

Used to take it a lot. Yes, once you're past the Tappan Zee, it's a free fire zone.

kentauros

(29,414 posts)
11. No telling.
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:38 PM
Sep 2012

Maybe because we're too polite, and let them stand versus getting into yet another fight...

I agree with you, though, about "apology not accepted". Adding the modifier "with apologies to our Texan DUers" is akin to your standard republican non-apology apology.

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
13. Because it's Texas.
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:40 PM
Sep 2012


Said the Okie.

Except Galveston. It has soul. And smelled like fish. I liked the place.

I like their idea about the highway, however. Could do away with the speed limit, pesky regulation that. Just make sure everyone knows that flashing lights means pull aside. It's Texas, eh? Go big or go home.

Is Rick Perry cutting state funding that might be supporting the emergency rooms along that highway? He's not the brightest bulb in the package, someone might want to check on that, because they will be needed. Oh, and helicopters. Maybe many helicopters. Staffed. And transport vehicles.

Because when the highway patrol and police and governor and truckloads of scared people trying for a new life by working like slaves in this country roll their cars because they over-corrected, or got shot for driving too close, politicians are going to feel pressure to improve response times...and that costs $$$$.

efhmc

(14,709 posts)
17. My husband was killed in a head on collision on a two lane hwy where
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:15 PM
Sep 2012

the speed limit was and is 70mph. The driver who caused the accident slowed for a postal worker and his trailer flipped into the other lane. This increased speed is a very bad idea and I will find another way to drive on my way to and from Austin.

 

Heather MC

(8,084 posts)
44. I agree 100% this is beyond stupid!!!
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 11:48 PM
Sep 2012

First off all i would not want to be on a highway where everyone is going 85 and above I mean lets face it. If 85 is the limit most drivers will be doing at least 95. Add to that drivers texting and talking on the phone. this is a recipe for major disastor.

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
55. I'm sorry about your husband. I am truly astounded that so many people are
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:25 AM
Sep 2012

killed on the highway, directly correlated with speed, and the people don't seem to get the relationship. It ain't so much human behavior as it is physics. And we have decades of history and data to prove it.

But they really and truly would rather take the risk, along with everyone around them, to save 10 minutes on a 41 mile long road, and know, with near exact precision, how many more people they will lose. If it was just the people wanting to go 85, but it won't be.

And it's a toll road. It's like smoking - bad for you, and you have to pay extra for the privilege.

On the other hand, more and more people can't afford to drive every day, so maybe it won't last that long.

 

trouble.smith

(374 posts)
57. I had to make the san marcos to austin trip pretty much every day for several years
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:56 AM
Sep 2012

and the san marcos to san antonio trip a couple times a month for years also. That highway is one of the most dangerous highways I have driven on. 80 mph one minute-dead stop the next. Not a fun time at 6:30 in the morning. and then my GF's grandmother was killed on the same road when she merged into traffic right underneath a semi. It happened right in front of her husband.

alarimer

(16,245 posts)
83. It's not 35, it't the toll road east of there, which is usually pretty deserted.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:47 PM
Sep 2012

It could not possibly be I-35. That would be insane even for Texas.

My guess is that this is a ploy to get people to use the toll road. Nobody uses it because of the tolls when I-35 is more direct. So ramp up the speed, get more people to use it and pay the tolls = more revenue.

I only ever used it to get to the airport.

sendero

(28,552 posts)
61. Galveston is awesome..
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:57 AM
Sep 2012

.... and so is the rest of Texas. Do we have our share of wingnut idiots here? You Betcha. But look around. They are EVERYWHERE\, all over the US.

Please keep in mind that only a few percentage points separate the red states from the blue.

And I am a Texan and my parents were born in Texas and I have 30 acres of heaven in Texas and I'm not going anywhere even if there are a few more wingnuts here than in some other places.

Aristus

(66,075 posts)
49. Because of the phrase: 'If you ain't Texan, you ain't shit!"
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:05 AM
Sep 2012

That's why.

And I'm San Antonio, born and raised. If one wants civility, one should behave with civility...

ronnie624

(5,764 posts)
72. Damn right.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 11:10 AM
Sep 2012

Or how about, "Fuck y'all, I'm from Texas!".

I'm a Texan, born and bred, and I think Texas males can be the rudest sum'bucks in the whole country, and it's clearly reflected in the state's politics.

BabbaTam

(88 posts)
45. Texas is big
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:02 AM
Sep 2012

so you have kinda the same effect as in 'global' markets. So many people, so many places (that are all different) When you have a group of like minded individuals, that group is BIG. This makes diverse communities that have large numbers. It's possible to live in these like minded communities and be quite insulated from the 'other' types. All the major metropolitan areas have large communities of different types of folks. Like little cities inside cities. We are at the present only 'leaning' right. Color me blue in a purple state.

 

backwoodsbob

(6,001 posts)
51. why do we always need the bashing?
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:13 AM
Sep 2012

I'm getting to where I hate some progressives over the constant region bashing.

 

rfranklin

(13,200 posts)
3. Imagine how far you travel at 85 mph when you're looking down at your iphone and texting...
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:14 PM
Sep 2012

Gonna be some really brutal crashes on this strip.

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
19. Speed reduces reaction time
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:18 PM
Sep 2012

In other words, if you're going 85mph, you're going 125 feet per second, or the length of a football field in 2.4 seconds. That means if you suddenly see a crash scene even one whole football field ahead of you, you have only 2.4 seconds to react, brake and avoid the accident. Under the same scenario, but only going 55mph, you would have 3.7 seconds to react, brake and avoid the accident-- which could make all the difference in whether you can stop in time, or get in an accident yourself.

Bernardo de La Paz

(48,773 posts)
22. Yes. Hence I wrote "per se". The speed doesn't cause the texting crash; makes it worse.
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:20 PM
Sep 2012

And the comparison wouldn't be between 55 and 85, but between 70 and 85, since you are just not going to see 55 on an interstate like that.

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
26. But even with a fully alert driver,
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:30 PM
Sep 2012

speed can become a problem in itself. For example, even with a difference of only 15mph in speed (70mph vs. 85mph), it still would take at least 100 feet more for the typical car *with an alert driver* going at 85mph to make a complete stop on dry pavement, than for a car going at 70mph. On wet pavement, the difference is even greater.

http://www.driveandstayalive.com/info%20section/stopping-distances.htm

Bernardo de La Paz

(48,773 posts)
28. Personally, I like the 85 idea. Less nanny state and more force people to behave like adults.
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:36 PM
Sep 2012

Maybe make a slow road limit 65 and a high speed one, limit 120 with a vehicle & driver safety certificate requirement and alcohol breathalizer test on entry.

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
32. If you don't like "nanny state" regulations,
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 10:06 PM
Sep 2012

do you think there is a need for, say, building codes?

Personally, I would rather have some modicum of safety on the roads that I travel. Too many things can go wrong on a road traveled by drunken, tired, or otherwise impaired/distracted drivers at 85mph, especially if their vehicles are in bad condition.

alarimer

(16,245 posts)
86. But they don't "behave like adults"
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:54 PM
Sep 2012

Because Americans are stupid fucking idiots and insist on being allowed to do whatever the hell they want, regardless of its impact on others, they will be driving 90 MPH, while talking on the phone and/or texting.

Fine. Have 85 MPH. But make talking or texting while driving a felony, with punishments equal to drunk driving punishments.

hobbit709

(41,694 posts)
25. There are places in West TX without decent reception.
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:29 PM
Sep 2012

We're talking a place of miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles.
Austin is in central TX, on the outskirts of town is a sign "El Paso-577 miles"

chervilant

(8,267 posts)
27. Actually,
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:34 PM
Sep 2012

I'm surprised that the DOT hasn't figured out a way to block cell phone transmissions on the freeways...

former9thward

(31,798 posts)
29. So people could not call in accidents and emergencies?
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:51 PM
Sep 2012

Why would the DOT want to do that? Cell phones have saved far more lives than they have cost.

chervilant

(8,267 posts)
65. Really?
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:21 AM
Sep 2012

I haven't seen that research. Why don't you cite it?

What happened to the phone boxes along the interstates?

(It was just a thought, former. We have the technology to do many things. So, if cell phone texting and calling is causing a significant number of accidents and deaths, why not wonder about that?)

former9thward

(31,798 posts)
84. I haven't seen any research.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:50 PM
Sep 2012

I think it is just common sense. I haven't seen phone boxes on interstates for a long time.

texastoast

(8,180 posts)
4. Good.
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:17 PM
Sep 2012

There will be those with bad genes who will be removed from the pool. It happens every day. Sadly, they often take innocents with them.

rocktivity

(44,555 posts)
9. I wish the (New Jersey) Garden State Parkway speed limit was 55MPH again
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:35 PM
Sep 2012

Last edited Tue Oct 1, 2013, 06:43 PM - Edit history (2)

Because doing 70 always made me feel like a badass. Now it's only 5MPH over the limit -- big fucking deal, why bother!


rocktivity

Twinguard

(531 posts)
10. Montana used to have "Reasonable and Prudent" for its freeway's speed limits.
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:38 PM
Sep 2012

It didn't last long, but I remember a drive from Great Falls to Billings in a friend's new Mustang. I was driving. I don't think I dropped below 90 the whole trip, and I was above 100 for most of it. Those were fun times, but "reasonable and prudent" is pretty vague and difficult to enforce.

I don't have a problem with the new texas speed limit as long as it doesn't compromise safety.

kentauros

(29,414 posts)
15. As native Texan, I get the impression that state officials
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:47 PM
Sep 2012

really don't give a damn about our safety. The Texas DPS is out in force on holiday weekends, rightfully pulling people over for speeding. But I have yet to see someone with an unsecured load (i.e., barely or not tied down belongings in the back of a truck or trailer) getting pulled over and ticketed for all that debris they just created when gramma's rocking chair flew out the back at 85mph.

And then there's the issue of clean-up. Unless it's a car-sized mass, it usually stays on the road until it's pulverized by drivers too unaware to notice the remainders of the box-springs straddling the lanes in front of them.

I'd love to see a study on how many wrecks, injuries and deaths are caused by all this road debris. I would bet it would come close to the same caused by drunks and distracted drivers.

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)
47. That's a felony here in Wa
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:18 AM
Sep 2012

It took a couple bad crashes to get it recognized as such, but if you drop material that strikes another car, hang on to your ass. The fine is like 5 grand.

kentauros

(29,414 posts)
53. I don't know if we have such a law or not.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:09 AM
Sep 2012

The only thing similar are the anti-littering laws and those only have a fine up to $500. I'd have to ask around, but I've never heard of a law like yours. It sounds like the better policy

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)
56. It was enacted after a woman lost her sight permanently
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:48 AM
Sep 2012

because a piece of plywood flew up out of a truck, and cut right through her windshield, getting her in the face.

There were other issues like it of course but that one was the public face of getting the law passed.

 

alcibiades_mystery

(36,437 posts)
92. I drove through Montana when it was reasonable and prudent
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:37 AM
Sep 2012

Unfortunately, I was towing a Uhaul trailer in a little Nissan Sentra, so while the mind was willing, the flesh was weak. Saw a lot of cars fly by me, though.

 

4dsc

(5,787 posts)
12. This would be a normal driving speed for me
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:40 PM
Sep 2012

but many others are not used to going this fast and that's where the problems are going to come up on this road. Too many people cannot and shouldn't be driving fast and that's going to hurts the ones that can.

SunSeeker

(51,367 posts)
14. I wonder what hitting an armadillo at 85 mph looks like.
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:42 PM
Sep 2012

I already know what it smells like. Texas.

1620rock

(2,218 posts)
16. Apology not accepted???
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:13 PM
Sep 2012

"Apology not accepted. Why are these comments always necessary?"

Because as a Michigander Texas SUCKS. I know this from personal experience.

Now you tell me why anyone in their right mind would choose to live in such a regressive, bigoted, backward, right-wing nut state? Are you trapped there? Are you held hostage there?...And the same goes for Arizona.

God bless the progressives in these places, but please don't tell me what paradises such places are.

efhmc

(14,709 posts)
24. Obviously, you and your family have not lived somewhere for over 167
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:24 PM
Sep 2012

years and do not own and operate a business which has been here about 150 years and which generations of people have fought hard to keep. You obviously do not know anything about fighting to make a difference in your life, the lives of others and planning for a future which will be different if instead of running to another place, one stays and tried to make things different.

MicaelS

(8,747 posts)
37. Because their family lives in Texas, and they value family.
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 10:47 PM
Sep 2012

That's one reason.

That there are some things more important than politics to some people, is another.

Just because many of DU members are political junkies of the first order who live, eat, sleep and breath politics, and see the entire world through a political lens, doesn't mean the rest of the US is the same. Some people don't give a flying fuck about politics.

Dustlawyer

(10,493 posts)
54. Dude, that is low. Why is it ok to generalize like that about all the residents in a state?
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:10 AM
Sep 2012

Where do you draw the line? Not ok about people, what about religion? All ___ are greedy.... I live here and know a huge number of Progressives in Southeast Texas. Human nature is to band together in groups of similar people, either by race, religion, national origin, politics.... They all overlap to some degree, but it does not make hating the "others" ok. Last year, a couple of guys killed a father after a game outside the stadium b/c he was wearing the rivals jersey. It's us vs. them! I have traveled all over the country and liked and appreciated the differences in the people and places. I was not raised in any of those places, so i have no roots there. Therefore, while I may appreciate other places, they are still not home. Texans are taught at an early age to be very proud of our state. We all have to take Texas History in the 7th grade. This makes us look and act like we are better than others, but in reality, people are very similar the world over. Not all of us here subscribe to National Review either, there are millions of wonderful, caring people here in Texas (including my Mom), so please don't dis Mom!

 

Manifestor_of_Light

(21,046 posts)
89. Native Texan here.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 03:58 AM
Sep 2012

Inherited the family home which was built in 1883. I think I'm the 5th or 6th generation living in this house. I found a land grant from The Republic of Texas, signed by President Anson Jones in 1845, in a box of deeds in the attic. Real parchment.

Living in a sea of rightwingers, it's hard. But I'm not going anywhere.
My county went 2 to 1 for McCain in 2008.
I'll keep hunting for fellow Democrats.

And ignore the Texas bashing. Yep, there are lots of jerks here. But also a lot of good people. You can't say 24 million people are all the same.

Paladin

(28,202 posts)
64. Brain-Dead Churlishness.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:08 AM
Sep 2012

That's alright. We DU Texans have come to expect such prejudice. One pointer, though---while you got the "God bless the progressives" exception right, you neglected to add the mandatory "except Austin, the only cool place in the state" comment. Come on, get with the fucking program: when you trash our entire state, we expect to see it done correctly.

 

4th law of robotics

(6,801 posts)
71. Judging by my one experience with Michigan
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 10:42 AM
Sep 2012

(a brief period in Detroit) I can say that your entire state is a post-apocalyptic wasteland that makes Robo-cops prediction of the future seem overly optimistic.

Of course that wouldn't be fair now would it?

NickB79

(19,109 posts)
18. Gas is almost $4/gal, and fuel economy plummets above 55 mph
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:16 PM
Sep 2012

The Arctic is turning to slush and the breadbaskets of the world are baking due to global warming from burning fossil fuels.

And people think this is a good idea? Really?

bananas

(27,509 posts)
42. It's a toll road for people who don't care about money
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 11:14 PM
Sep 2012
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.

mwooldri

(10,291 posts)
23. Safety taking a backseat? Ask the Germans.
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:22 PM
Sep 2012

They know a thing or two about fast roads. There is also a reason why that very nice BMW or Mercedes Benz has a top speed limit of 155 mph. Sure the limiters can be removed, and speeds of up to 200mph are attainable at times on the Autobahn. However these speeds are rare because just like over here, clogged up roads slow things down.

Also German driving tests are harder than US ones, with more requirements.

oldsarge54

(582 posts)
31. The Republican Way is Personal Responsibility
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:58 PM
Sep 2012

So far into freedom, that death is not a deterrant. Be it suicide by gun ( 50% of all gun deaths are suicide), or death by auto accident, no Republican will take responsibility. It is always the victims fault. Remember Cain and "if you are poor, it is your fault?"

AnneD

(15,774 posts)
34. The speed limit in west Texas...
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 10:26 PM
Sep 2012

Is 80 mph. I can see it out there. You can literally see for miles and with the lower speeds, it takes 2 days to make it out of the state. I usually only make it from Houston to Van Horn or Fort Stockton. This summer, I made it all the way to Wilcox Az before calling it quits for the day.

This proposal seems dangerous to me, there isn't really a pressing need or reason or favorable conditions as there are in west Texas.

Xithras

(16,191 posts)
48. Lol. Try I-5 in California, anywhere north of Los Angeles.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:41 AM
Sep 2012

If you're only doing 85, remember that slower drivers are expected to yield right for faster traffic.

Frank Cannon

(7,570 posts)
67. I'm glad you qualified that.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:29 AM
Sep 2012

I lived in Los Angeles, and I recall that I-5 was pretty much a parking lot 24 hours a day.

LeftyMom

(49,212 posts)
77. I was passed, on the right no less, by a CHP officer while going 95 on I-5 once.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:17 PM
Sep 2012

I guess I didn't move over fast enough.

That was a wee bit north of Mount Shasta.

struggle4progress

(118,032 posts)
52. It's stupid: 41 miles at 70 mph takes 35 min, and going 85 saves you 7 minutes.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:24 AM
Sep 2012

I understand why somebody might want to drive 85 going from (say) Dallas to El Paso: it's about 625 miles, so it takes about 9 hours at 70 mph and only about 7:20 at 85 mph -- it saves you 1:40

but 7 minutes? that's ridiculous

GTurck

(826 posts)
58. 200 mph...
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:07 AM
Sep 2012

on high-speed rails would be even better between all major Texas cities. Since we moved here we have stopped going to Austin, only 60 miles away, because of the speed of the vehicles on I35. Now the speeds are going up and the speed junkies are salivating but wouldn't they enjoy the feeling of flying on land even more? Just asking!

sendero

(28,552 posts)
62. Roads are better
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:59 AM
Sep 2012

... (better visibility, better traffic merging) cars are better (better brakes, better handling, more safety features) and it is about time we stopped living with your father's speed limits.

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
68. Well that's going to be an interesting experiment
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:35 AM
Sep 2012

We'll see how the fatality numbers hold up after a year. I like speeding just as much as the next person, but I try to keep it at 70 to 74 going in a 65 MPH zone in long stretches.

 

AngryAmish

(25,704 posts)
70. Some places can be safe at 85, some places are too dangerous at 55
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 10:25 AM
Sep 2012

This is my usual rant about speed limits, so here goes....

The maximum speed limit need to vary depending on the quality of the road and how many people are on it.

For example, in Wisconsin they maintain their roads very well. The stretch between Green Bay and Milwaukee is pretty flat and has few exits. That could safely have an 80 mph speed limit.

On the interstates in the city of Chicago their is effectively no speed limits - very few cops. In the middle of the night you have jokers going 80 - with many drunks on the road and exits every half mile. Nobody should go more than 50.

In rural areas I see the need to high speed limits, on limited access highways.

All that said I have never been on that road so I hold my judgment.

Ishoutandscream2

(6,646 posts)
74. Come on, DU Texas haters. Say it!
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 11:37 AM
Sep 2012

This could mean more dead Texans, and how great would that be!! Come on, you know that's what you think and what you'd like to say!

Come on out and let us have it!

hedgehog

(36,286 posts)
79. It really shows a lack of imagination - if there is enough traffic to support a private toll road -
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:29 PM
Sep 2012

why not build a monorail shuttle that moves your car from point to point at 250 mph?

Nikia

(11,411 posts)
82. The problem is that the speed limit is usually the minimum speed
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:42 PM
Sep 2012

With 10mph + over the usual speed. Even on good roads, not every vehicle or driver is in good control at those speeds. What makes this worse is that this is a busy road, not a long stretch with barely any traffic.

alarimer

(16,245 posts)
85. This is NOT the busy road (I-35); This is toll road that hardly anyone uses.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:50 PM
Sep 2012

They didn't mention which one in the article but I suspect it's the one that goes near the Austin Airport and then up around Round Rock.

Not as busy as I-35 or it would be totally insane. Well, it's insane anyway, but not as insane as it could be.

jsr

(7,712 posts)
90. It's State Highway 130, not I-35
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:30 AM
Sep 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443589304577637773840176082.html

Toll Road Offers Fast Cash to Texas
By NATHAN KOPPEL

Texas stands to receive $100 million from the private operators of a state toll road for raising its speed limit to 85 miles per hour, a contractual payoff that is drawing criticism from consumer groups.

The Texas Transportation Commission voted Aug. 30 to bump up the limit for a 41-mile portion of the 91-mile toll road between Austin and San Antonio, making it the fastest stretch of highway in the U.S.

The new segment of the toll road, State Highway 130, is set to open this fall and will be run by SH 130 Concession Co., a consortium of private road builders.

A contract the company signed with Texas in 2007 offers the state a one-time payment of $100 million for approving an 85 mph speed limit. The payout would have dropped to $67 million if the limit was set at 80 mph.

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This is I-35 in Austin:

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