The saying goes that everything is bigger in Texas. This fall that will apply to speed, too.
The Texas Transportation Commission has approved an 85-mph speed limit for a new toll road between Austin and San Antonio. It will be the highest speed limit in the United States, according to local news reports.
The toll road is a 41-mile stretch of Texas State Highway 130 known as Segments 5 and 6, running from Mustang Ridge near Austin to Seguin outside of San Antonio. If motorists drive at the speed limit, they'll cover the 41 miles in less than a half hour.
The 85-mph limit surpasses the current high in the United States, set on portions of Interstate 15 in Utah and sections of I-10 and I-20 in west Texas, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
But are the higher speeds safe?
The Insurance Institute says the higher the speed, the more dangerous for the motorists. Higher speeds limit reaction times, increases braking distances and put stresses on safety equipment in cars and on roads, the institute says.
"There are limits to the amount of crash energy that can be managed by vehicles, restraint systems and roadway hardware such as barriers and crash cushions. The higher the speed, the higher the likelihood that these limits will be exceeded in crashes, limiting the protection available for vehicle occupants," according to the institute's website.
Texas officials say safety won't be compromised by the higher speeds.
"Safety is our top priority and tests have shown the designated speed is a safe one," Mark Cross, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Transportation, is quoted as saying by the Texas Tribune.
The SH 130 Concession Co. which built and will operate the toll road, says motorists bear responsibility for safety.
"We are committed to operating a safe, reliable highway for our customers. On any road, drivers hold the key to safety based on traffic, travel conditions and the capabilities of their own vehicles," the company said in a statement, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Tolls have yet to be set, but whatever they are drivers won't have to slow down to pay them.
"There will be no toll plazas on segments 5 & 6 of SH 130. Tolls will be collected electronically at certain points along the roadway, meaning motorists will not have to slow down or stop. Traffic will be 100% free flowing," according to The SH 130 Concession Co., which was formed by the Spanish construction company Cintra and the Texas company Zachary American Infrastructure.
Officials hope drivers will use the highway to avoid and alleviate congestion on Interstate 35, which the toll road operators say is more congested in the area than at any part in its entire length, from Canada to Mexico.
"We look forward to opening this segment of SH 130, which will help reduce congestion for the Austin-San Antonio corridor by providing Texas drivers and others with an alternate route for traveling through our great state," Cross told the Texas Tribune.
The toll road is required to open by November 11 but may open sooner.
"We are confident we will be open ahead of schedule,” Chris Lippincott, spokesman for the SH 130 Concession Company, told Texas Weekly.
While the higher speed promises quicker trips for drivers, it also means more money into state coffers. The concession company will pay the Texas Department of Transportation a $100 million bonus for the 85-mph limits, the Texas Tribune reported. If the limit had been set at 80 mph, the bonus would have been only $67 million, according to the report.
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Texas is one of the most screwed up states in the entire country. It seems like every time we hear something from Texas, it's the result of lies, inbreeding, or simple craziness. We should have cut Texas loose a long time ago, so that it could properly ferment into the cesspool that it is. Still, I did see some good Texans once... in a graveyard.
Florida's way worse.
Texas claims to be pro life. Yet it has more traffic fatalities, police deaths, child deaths than any other state in the country, including much more populated california. Remember - Texas governor perry just vetoed a texting ban, while passing this law to raise limits to 85 mph - that says it all.
Ah, I remember the Loop 410 of my youth. Night time speed limit was 75 mph.....
Having driven in Germany twice, with both times reaching speeds of 240 kph, I find that it is the driver that will ultimately determine safety. However, in America, most people lack a sufficient amount of brain matter to even spell the word "safe" let alone practice it. Hence we have speed limits.
Ironically, our speed limits are not set for ones safety. (Remember, it's been determined that most Americans fall way short when it comes to intelligence and common sense.) Instead, municipalities capitalize on dullards as a means of revenue. It's quite amusing to realize that safety is neither on your mind nor your local state and governments mind.
Happy motoring!
Okay, so how many times have you been driving on a 3 laner with a speed limit of 70, but you are speeding and driving 80. And almost everyone is blowing by you anyway like you are standing still.
No surprise there. I am sure people are thrilled as heck to be able to speed through Texas. The less time spent there, the better.
Please make sure your health and life insurance is up-to-date and all the premiums have been paid.....
Seems a little strange that they show a photo of a winding ramp at the top of this story... No photos of an actual stretch where one can drive 85??
Well, it doesn't go to anywhere close to Seguin or San Antonio! It's simply a bypass for Austin! Austin traffic is the worst. Who rights this stuff anyway?
Obviously writing is a passion of yours so I can see why you would want to know.
Write! I mean, right. Although, you mean...write.
We drive 100+ mph in CO all the time. What's the big deal?
The people saying 85 is deadly are the very drivers I wish would stay off the road and not vote.
I drive this road, it's been open over 2 years.. very few people use it as the tolls are very high. It's like the road to nowhere. TDOT is trying to find ways to get the public to use it. The speed limit has been 80, now they've opened a new stretch and are upping the limit to 85.. to try and attract usage. Really responsible don't you think.. but that's TDOT, not the sharpest knives in the drawer.
I drive 85 anyway. Speed limits are for wusses.
Anyone who thinks going 85mph on a dry, uncrowded road is dangerous is a fool. The real problem, as others have pointed out are the poor drivers but police rarely (because other bad driving offenses aren't "slam-dunks" like nailing someone with a radar gun) stop the wreckless ones. In addition, in some jurisdictions, going 30mph over the speed limit is practically a felony whereas a far more dangerous offense, running red lights, doesn't net anywhere near the points/fine/arrest time (if any). Face it, speed limits are a cash-cow, one of which police if they didn't have it as a revenue source would mean their numbers would have to be cut.
I always drive 90-95 mph on all highways. Whats the big deal?
What's the big deal, Todd? The big deal is that you're just flat out stupid, pal.
When my dad taught me to drive some 55 years ago he told me "if you don't think of yourself, think of your passengers. Morons that ignore posted limits put everyone in harms way.
The big deal is that you are a danger to others on the road. I hope you get a big fine before you kill someone. Sounds like you shouldn't be allowed to drive.
well we build the best cars in the world. both of us think that ford can handle the stress of this. flex and mustang in a daily drive for 1 month against all comers . any takers ??