possible 80 mph limit for west texas

DOT proposes 80 mph limit on West Texas interstates
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO ‹ Speed limits would increase to 80 mph on two West Texas
interstate highways under a proposal by the Texas Department of
Transportation.
The Texas Transportation Commission could take up the proposed change,
which would apply to Interstate 10 and Interstate 20 in West Texas, when
it meets in Austin next week.

Some advocates for fuel conservation and safety have questioned the
wisdom of boosting speed limits, but transportation officials said most
drivers are already cruising at nearly 80 mph.
Carlos Lopez, director of traffic operations for the department, said a
survey of both interstates found that 85 percent of motorists were
driving up to 79 mph.
"If people begin to think that the number on the sign is unreasonable,
then they won't respect it," Lopez said. "Just putting up a lower number
on the highway isn't going to slow down traffic."
The change was made possible by state legislation passed last year
making 10 counties in West Texas eligible for higher speeds, starting
with Kerr County and stretching to the El Paso County line.
But with gas prices at a premium, some groups said drivers should be
encouraged to slow down rather than speed up.
Increasing the speed limit "will have a perverse reaction," said Peter
Iwanowicz, director of environmental health at the American Lung
Association. "Increasing the speed limit will increase fuel use."
U.S. Department of Energy studies show gas mileage usually decreases
rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. The agency's Web site says that
motorists generally pay an additional 20 cents per gallon of gas for
each 5 mph they drive over 60.
Lopez said fuel conservation is already lost for most drivers, who are
traveling at 77 to 79 mph.
Safety advocates also fear that raising the limit will lead to more
traffic fatalities.
"Our concern is that the two biggest contributors to traffic accidents
is speed and alcohol," said Jerry Johns, president of the Southwestern
Insurance Information Service, an industry group. "That has been
consistent for years and years and years."
Statistics kept by the Texas Department of Public Safety show each time
the state has changed its speed limits, there has been a correlating
effect on the number of traffic fatalities.
Department spokesman Randall Dillard said the 80 mph speed limit is
intended to make driving on the interstate safer.
"It's generally considered a safer condition when motorists are
traveling at a uniform speed," Dillard said.

 

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