Author Topic: Texas set to open 85 mph hwy. (Read 767 times)

powderman · « **on:** September 09, 2012, 11:59:17 AM »

http://www.whas11.com/home/Texas--169085076.html

Texas set to open 85 mph highway

Texas set to open 85 mph highway by ABC News WHAS11.com Posted on September 9, 2012 at 9:49 AM (ABC News) -- They say everything in Texas is bigger – and soon the Lone Star State will be faster too. Texas is going to be home to the fastest road in America.

The Texas Transportation Commission has approved plans to open a stretch of highway with an unheard of speed limit – 85 mph.

The 41 mile stretch of road between San Antonio and Austin, under construction now, is set to open in November and while some drivers can’t wait to speed down the highway, others aren’t sure it’s a good idea.

“The research is clear that when speed limits go up, fatalities go up,” Russ Rader, a spokesman for the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety told the Associated Press.

A 2009 report in the American Journal of Public Health studied traffic fatalities in the U.S. from 1995 to 2005 and found that more than 12,500 deaths were attributable to increases in speed limits on all kinds of roads.

Most highways in the U.S. top out at 75 mph.

Still, drivers in Texas are already getting excited for the new highway.

“I would love it,” Austin resident Alan Guckian told the AP. “Sometimes it’s fun to just open it up.”

This Texas highway is poised to surpass speeds only seen on Germany’s autobahn, where there actually is no set speed limit, just an “advised” 81 mph.

The Texas Transportation Commission says this road is designed with high speeds in mind.

“Safety is our top priority and tests have shown the designated speed is a safe one,” agency spokeswoman Veronica Bayer said.

Toll prices haven’t been set for the new road, but Steve Marcy, who commutes daily between San Antonio and Austin, says he thinks while the speedy new road may attract some new drivers, most drivers might not think it’s worth paying the tolls.

“For most people I talk to, it’s a cost issue,” Marcy said.

Texas officials say the road should be ready for commuters by Nov. 11.
For more on this story, go to ABCNews.com.

Shu · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2012, 02:10:58 PM »

I don't know how many times I have been going with the flow of traffic above 85 mph. From Barstow to Vegas the flow is 95 to 105 a lot of times.

Dee · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2012, 02:20:51 PM »

The speed limits on all Texas Interstates is 75mph, and it works just fine. If someone is afraid to come down here because of that, then by all means, please don't. We won't be offended.

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2012, 02:51:54 PM »

One of the happiest things in life is driving through Texas on I10 and finally seeing the sign that tells you you're entering New Mexico, or Louisiana. Nothing wrong with Texas, but as a driver it gives me a sense of progress to enter another state during a long drive. Texas is one big state.

Sourdough · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2012, 07:24:34 PM »

Dee: The speed limit on I-10 west of Ft Worth is 80. The last time I drove it I had the cruise set at 90. I got passed by a car, then a second car, then a Texas State cop. I started kicking the cruise up, and up, till I quite losing ground. I finally set at 110mph, and we cruised at that till almost El Paso. I had to stop for fuel, and I turned off I-10 at that point.

A friend that lives in Del Rio told me she has an 80 mph speed limit out that way as well. There is not a lot in West Texas, so let er rip.

Victor3 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2012, 07:34:30 PM »

Good for Texas.

Every highway with at least two lanes each way, going through sparsely populated areas should have an 85 mph limit. Every hour where commuters can either be working or at home with their families instead of on the road is a good hour. Life's too short to waste time driving.

Dee · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2012, 01:51:25 AM »

Sourdough, I haven't been to Arizona in several months, and don't go that often, but there ain't much out there, so it's a good idea for 80 out there. I guess.

Ladobe · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2012, 01:54:04 AM »

Quote from: Shu on September 09, 2012, 02:10:58 PM

I don't know how many times I have been going with the flow of traffic above 85 mph. From Barstow to Vegas the flow is 95 to 105 a lot of times.

We have an autobahn of sorts right in Vegas, a stretch of 95 South from around Russell for several miles to the Henderson area of the valley. The posted speed limit doesn't allows it, some folks just use it as such anyway and LE seldom interviens. Except for during shift changes that area of 95 has thin traffic most of the time on its four sometimes five lanes south, with additional very long exit and entrance lanes, and is slightly downhill with gentle curves. So its where locals with fast cars let it all out for a few miles (we have a lot of expensive fast cars here). Drive 90-95 in an inner lane then and you will atleast get starled when a blurr suddenly zips by. I was passed so fast once when doing 165 in my Corvette the sports job had to be doing well over 200. Later I figured out on-line it was a McLaren F1 - a 240MPH capable car. On some of our inner city boulevardes, going with the flow is driving highway speeds or more, way over their posted speed limits (most 45MPH). Locals drive fast in NV as a matter of course, a long tradition from the unposted speed limit days. Sounds bad, but locals are actually quite courteous drivers otherwise.

Dee · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:01:25 AM »

Driving that fast works well as long as the guy in front of you isn't drivin the speed limit when you look away. Then you kill yourself, AND the speed law abiding citizen. Hmmmm

guzzijohn · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:53:21 AM »

I would prefer the higher speeds and do not see a problem with it overall. When the interstate system was put in most of it was 70mph with 50s vintage cars and tires. Cars are so much safer and your current average family sedan handles and brakes much better than a early Corvette. Just strongly enforce no texting and other distractions and use of signals when changing lanes.
GuzziJohn

Larry L · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2012, 03:48:29 AM »

Quote

The speed limit on I-10 west of Ft Worth is 80.

You musta been lost. IH 10 doesn't go thru Ft Worth. Yer about 350 miles too far north. San Antonio- yes, Ft Worth-no.

Nobody in Texas is "excited" about the "new" speed limit. We've been driving 85 for years on interstates. Get out in West Texas between Ft Stockton and Kerrville and the speed limit is how fast your car will run. I've driven that part at over 140mph and occasionally got passed- there's very little traffic out there mostly because there isn't anything there. It's just miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles- BORING! Wanna see crazy traffic in Texas? Go down Hwy 16 south of San Antonio into the Eagle Ford oil fields. You best be prepared to drive on the grassy shoulder as the 18 wheelers will pass each other on hills, double yellow strips, doesn't matter. They've had wrecks down there so bad they've had to close the hwy for days to get it cleaned up. Shoulda seen the wreck at the Arrowhead Ranch gate. Two 18 wheel tankers hit head on. Both were loaded with fuel. Took them a week to replace the hiway. Speed limit is 75 but the trucks run whatever they can.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2012, 04:13:06 AM »

the interstate limit in Ga. is 70mph. I drive 55mph.
I guess I'd get killed in Texas.

guzzijohn · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2012, 05:21:32 AM »

Quote from Bugeye:
"the interstate limit in Ga. is 70mph. I drive 55mph.I guess I'd get killed in Texas."

You just might. IMHO it is not speed that kills as much as it is inattention and differential speeds. Bugeye you will be okay as long as everyone is paying attention. Closing time comes quickly when you are doing 55 and someone is coming up on you at 85+. Just sayin, too slow a driving is as or more dangerous than to fast driving.
GuzziJohn

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2012, 05:34:28 AM »

I have no interest in driving that fast. I've traveled all over the country, seldom driving more than 65, and usually just over 60. The key to driving that "slow" is to keep an eye on your rear view mirror to watch for trouble from behind. Occasionally you really do need to speed up to travel with a heavy concentration of traffic safely, but I try to get away from those "wolf packs" as soon as possible so I can slow back down. Of the places I've seen with 75+ mph, they are truly open road situations with relatively light traffic. In those cases it's not unusual to be driving at 65 and have somebody pass me like I'm standing still. It's amazing how often it happens that the fast car doesn't seem to be well maintained or that the driver appears to be quite old.

The ones I enjoy are the people who have good cars that are made for speed, and they clearly know how to operate them. I've had a few fun conversations with people like that at rest stops, to compliment them on their competent driving style, and also to learn a little about their cool cars.

One other factor is alcohol in high speed driving. Theres a pretty big area in New Mexico, west of Santa Fe, if I recall correctly, that something like 25% of the drivers on a Friday or Saturday night are estimated to be drunk, and driving 70+.

Sourdough · « **Reply #14 on:** September 10, 2012, 06:48:11 AM »

OOOOOOOps, Larry L, you are right, it was I-20. My mistake. 20 ran into 10 before El Paso, and I followed 10 all the way into LA. I forget about that interchange out there in the middle of no where, west of Pecos.

West Texas was the most desolate part of my trip. No reason for traffic to not let it roll out there. Nothing but rocks, sand, and an occasional lizard or snake.

DDZ · « **Reply #15 on:** September 10, 2012, 10:32:00 AM »

Couldn't imagine hitting a deer going over 100mph. Don't think I'd even want to hit a groundhog at those speeds.

BBF · « **Reply #16 on:** September 10, 2012, 10:41:36 AM »

Going through Atlanta on any of the Interstate Hwy at posted limits will get you a good chance of getting hurt. 85 mph is about average to go with the flow.

Re Texas: They might as well made it 100 mph, that is going to be the average on that stretch if not higher.

Shu · « **Reply #17 on:** September 10, 2012, 11:56:56 AM »

Dee,
I have not seen anyone driving below 85mph from Barstow to Vegas except the big rigs, you stay away from them anyway. They have the slow lane for them for the long hill out of Baker. I15 is 2 and 3 lanes each direction.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #18 on:** September 10, 2012, 12:33:20 PM »

Quote from: guzzijohn on September 10, 2012, 05:21:32 AM

Quote from Bugeye:
"the interstate limit in Ga. is 70mph. I drive 55mph.I guess I'd get killed in Texas."

You just might. IMHO it is not speed that kills as much as it is inattention and differential speeds. Bugeye you will be okay as long as everyone is paying attention. Closing time comes quickly when you are doing 55 and someone is coming up on you at 85+. Just sayin, too slow a driving is as or more dangerous than to fast driving.
GuzziJohn

someone may indeed run over me and kill me someday, but after the investigation shows my truck being hit from behind, my wife and her lawyer will reap great rewards.
it's my choice to go slow. I watch nascar for my speed fix, and since I don't have all those safety features, well......

oldandslow · « **Reply #19 on:** September 10, 2012, 01:00:07 PM »

I have to drive a stretch of TX road that has a 75 mph speed limit tomorrow and it's TWO lane. I'll drive the speed limit and pass a few cars and be passed by even more.

I encounter a lot of TX cars over here in NM. Hardly any are driving the speed limit or less. I just returned from a trip to South Dakota. Texas doesn't have all the fast drivers by a long shot. We were running 80 or better on the interstate and getting passed a lot. West TX doesn't have a lock on boring scenery either.

Curtis · « **Reply #20 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:51:04 PM »

Quote from: BUGEYE on September 10, 2012, 12:33:20 PM

Quote from: guzzijohn on September 10, 2012, 05:21:32 AM
Quote from Bugeye:
"the interstate limit in Ga. is 70mph. I drive 55mph.I guess I'd get killed in Texas."

You just might. IMHO it is not speed that kills as much as it is inattention and differential speeds. Bugeye you will be okay as long as everyone is paying attention. Closing time comes quickly when you are doing 55 and someone is coming up on you at 85+. Just sayin, too slow a driving is as or more dangerous than to fast driving.
GuzziJohn
someone may indeed run over me and kill me someday, but after the investigation shows my truck being hit from behind, my wife and her lawyer will reap great rewards.
it's my choice to go slow. I watch nascar for my speed fix, and since I don't have all those safety features, well......

Sorry Bugeye, but I will have to agree with guzzijohn on this one. It is not the speed that is dangerous but the difference in speed. As long as you insist in driving against the prevailing flow of traffic, you are a danger to yourself and those around you on the highway IMO. Wise up and speed up, or stay off the interstate.

Curtis

Sourdough · « **Reply #21 on:** September 10, 2012, 07:56:13 PM »

When I got to California, we got a briefing from the CHP. They told us that if we were in the left lane doing the speed limit we would get a ticket for impeding the flow of traffic. That if we were not driving with the flow of traffic even in the right lane we would get a ticket. The far right lane was for entering the highway and exiting the highway. Drive in the second from the right or in a faster lane, just drive with the flow of traffic.

When I made the trip across country a few years back, I was driving a new Mazda RX-8. When I left my son's house at Point McGoo I headed south to LA. We started climbing a mountain, a pretty steep mountain. The highway was making a series of switchbacks. I started in the right lane, not knowing we would start climbing as steep. Suddenly the trucks were slowing to 15 MPH. I started moving left. Then that lane started slowing, so I moved left again. There was a total of eight lanes. By the time I got into the far left lane the RX-8 was singing in it's power band, smooth and responsive. I looked around and all the traffic in that lane was Jaguars, Porches, Farraris, Vipers, Corvettes, and one happy little Mazda. I was running in either third or fourth gear, at about 7500RPM. (It red lines at 8500) A look at the speedometer and it said 110 MPH going up hill. Gave me a lot of respect for that little 1300CC rotary engine. From El Paso to Alamogordo is 100 miles flat as a table top and straight as an arrow. I was the only one on the highway, and you can see someone coming 20 miles out. So I let it go just to see how it would do. At 140 MPH I decided it would go faster than I would so I backed off. Unlike American, and most Imports the RX-8 does not have a speed limiter on the engine. So it's top speed depends on conditions and the driver. It sure beat the Pick-up I was driving the last time before when I crossed West Texas.

Just a note about how folks drive out west. I would leave Alamogordo, NM flying a Cessna 172. Crossing the White Sands Missile Range, you have to fly directly over the highway. I could look down and see Willie Parrs big Oldsmobile heading south. As I was calling El Paso tower for landing instructions I could still look down and see Willies Oldsmobile. Willie made that commute five days a week.

BBF · « **Reply #22 on:** September 11, 2012, 12:12:30 PM »

His fuel bill must be a real "joy".

BUGEYE · « **Reply #23 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:03:13 PM »

delete

Curtis · « **Reply #24 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:16:08 PM »

Wow, my first personal attack on GBO. I must be somebody!!

Really, read the words again carefully especially "AGAINST the prevailing flow of traffic". Also read guzzijohn's post again in case you didn't understand it the first time. YOU are the traffic hazard.

Curtis

BUGEYE · « **Reply #25 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:37:16 PM »

BUGEYE · « **Reply #26 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:40:32 PM »

Quote from: guzzijohn on September 10, 2012, 05:21:32 AM

Quote from Bugeye:
"the interstate limit in Ga. is 70mph. I drive 55mph.I guess I'd get killed in Texas."

You just might. IMHO it is not speed that kills as much as it is inattention and differential speeds. Bugeye you will be okay as long as everyone is paying attention. Closing time comes quickly when you are doing 55 and someone is coming up on you at 85+. Just sayin, too slow a driving is as or more dangerous than to fast driving.
GuzziJohn

if someone is driving at a high rate of speed, they do need to pay attention

Curtis · « **Reply #27 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:43:17 PM »

Heh, OK. Everybody that REALLY knows me knows that I'm not a jackass, so I apologize if my remarks were "elitist". However I stand behind my "obvious" assertion that it is the difference in speed that is the danger and not purely the speed.

Reminds me of the mother watching her son marching in band, and declaring that "everyone else" was out of step but her son.

Curtis

BUGEYE · « **Reply #28 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:51:01 PM »

Quote from: Curtis on September 11, 2012, 02:43:17 PM

Heh, OK. Everybody that REALLY knows me knows that I'm not a jackass, so I apologize if my remarks were "elitist". However I stand behind my "obvious" assertion that it is the difference in speed that is the danger and not purely the speed.

Reminds me of the mother watching her son marching in band, and declaring that "everyone else" was out of step but her son.

Curtis

if I'm on that 85mph interstate and drive 70mph, would you say I'm still a danger??

Curtis · « **Reply #29 on:** September 11, 2012, 03:01:37 PM »

Quote from: BUGEYE on September 11, 2012, 02:51:01 PM

Quote from: Curtis on September 11, 2012, 02:43:17 PM
Heh, OK. Everybody that REALLY knows me knows that I'm not a jackass, so I apologize if my remarks were "elitist". However I stand behind my "obvious" assertion that it is the difference in speed that is the danger and not purely the speed.

Reminds me of the mother watching her son marching in band, and declaring that "everyone else" was out of step but her son.

Curtis
if I'm on that 85mph interstate and drive 70mph, would you say I'm still a danger??

Thanks Bugeye for retracting your earlier post. That shows that you are a gentleman. Hmm, 55 in a 70 which I asserted as a hazard, and then 70 in an 85? 15 mph difference either way so I guess I have to stick by my guns and say that you either need to go with the prevailing flow of traffic or stay on the farm roads. BTW, that is what I do when I am on my motorcycle. I would just as soon ride on a conveyor belt as the Interstate, so I usually stay on the secondary roads and enjoy my ride. However, sometimes I just have to "get there" and so I take the Interstate. I go as fast as the prevailing traffic flow (truth be told, usually 5 over).

Regards,
Curtis