Plan for 85 MPH Road Draws Safety, Fairness Concerns
The news that Texas has approved an 85 mph speed limit for a stretch of toll road under construction outside of Austin has attracted international attention. It’s also quickly generated controversy on two fronts.
One group of critics is accusing the Texas Department of Transportation of recklessness for approving the fastest speed limit in the country for the new portion of State Highway 130 that will run from Austin to Seguin. Another is wondering whether the frontage roads running along the toll road are being given an artificially low speed limit in order to boost the toll road's ...
Comments (19)
Steven Kite
Evolution in action.
Robert Todd
I am dismayed. Does anyone recall the "Speed Kills" warning signs, and the holiday weekend death toll predictions. And, isn't it illegal to pay a public employee to do something wrong? Or is that for consideration in amounts just below $100 Million?
And, on another note, I have lived in states that don't clutter the access roads with retail outlets. Traffic moves very well when commerce is set back, far back, from the traffic arteries.
We were moving the annual traffic fatality number in the U.S. of A. dramatically lower. I don't see that now. Seems there must be a quota we need to reach.
Some have suggested the high speed limit will cause us to use more fuel. Yea, Texas. And may help eliminate any talk about a San Antonio to Dallas train. And the Spanish partners are floating around the Med as they think of new ways to get to our means.
This is a very good idea for anywhere else but Texas. God Bless Texas.
Robert
Carolyn Moon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yeah, but somebody's nephew needs to make money on tolls
A Brown Lyons via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This is insanity. When will the state of Texas actually show care and concern for Texans?
Larry Hayles via Texas Tribune on Facebook
plus state needs the higher gas tax receipts from the lower MPG at such speeds.
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Texas, thy name is stupid!
Carolyn Qualls via Texas Tribune on Facebook
yes but Rick doesn't drive a car so how would he know the consequences ?
David Frazer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Sounds fishy all around. How long is the 85 mph segment? Forty miles at 85 is exactly four minutes faster than at 75. Is it worth the bloodbath to have autobahn behavior in such a heavily populated area?
Flora Choate Batts via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Increasing the speed limit to 85 increases the $$ TxDoT will receive from the private Spanish firm contracted to run the toll road. That's the main reason they've done this: $100 million. Disgusting.
Donald Dickson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Just a little help for natural selection. Watch the state's average IQ rise.
Justin Mills via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The autobahn is actually pretty safe. While speed is a large part of traffic fatalities and injuries, traffic fatalities decreased by over fifty percent in twenty years. Speed in and of itself does not cause accidents, but can make the accident worse when it happens. It would be nice if all the nannys in the world would leave the rest of us alone to make our own decisions. If you're scared of "excessive speed" then you don't belong on the freeways/interstates/highways and can make your decisions according to your fears.
Matthew J Christensen via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Actually the autobahn has relatively few accidents for the speed compared to the American counterparts. Its more that we are inexperienced drivers.
Esteban Perez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
"The Autobahn works because it's full of Germans. A Texas Autobahn will be full of Texans, and that thought terrifies me just a bit."
http://jalopnik.com/5941587/why-texas-insanely-fast-85-mph-speed-limit-isnt-a-big-deal
Katy McAnarney via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Autobahns are also blissfully clear of roadside distractions. One has to drive a km or two to get to gas stations and towns. Also, there are high bushes in between the two sides and so when a wreck or something happens, there is less rubber necking going on. AND slow folks MOVE OVER to the right hand lane and get out of the way of those who want to play NASCAR. I drive parts of that toll road now. I love it. Not much traffic out there yet. But I don't think my car performs well at 85 mph. So I won't be going that fast and I will be in the right hand lane.
Meme Me
You can always tell who the city people are on our Texas highways. They are sitting in the left lane holding up traffic and driving 65 in a 75 zone. For some reason, the country highway drivers know how to drive at high speeds. They pass in the left lane and then move to the right lane, as they should.
The city people are either untrained or unlicensed and hog the left lane and cause traffic back-ups, then the idiots try to pass on the right side and almost cause deadly crashes. Hopefully there will be signs to regulate the idiots.
Bill Zilar
I think it is interesting that the opposition is basing their arguments on conjecture...I would love to know how they base their ideas...This small section of highway is probably an ideal segment to try this...if it doesn't work, change it. I think what it will save Texas in dollars is outstanding and should be supported.
Just my two cents. Bravo TXDot!
David Frazer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Well Justin why bother with any speed limits at all, if they're nothing but new world order oppression of free people's rights to drive at what the state of Montana used to call a safe and responsible manner, at least in daylight? My German friends disagree violently with the notion that they can handle it, all but one of them avoid it like the plague, and he rides a souped up BMW 1100. But even Montana insisted on 55 mph at night in deference to large animals on the roads, maybe downstate Texas is too far gone into statist control mania to have 300+ lb elk wandering out on the road in front of child-laden mini vans doing 90.
Matthew Nixon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
if you cant take the heat get outta the left lane and most definatley stay outta my toll road
Glenda Turck via Texas Tribune on Facebook
For those who want land speed try high speed rail. They can top 250 mph. Austin to Dallas in a bit over an hour.